Kayaking 101 for National Safe Boating Week

May 17 - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Summer is right around the corner and kayaking is a great way to enjoy Georgia's wonderful outdoors! Nationally certified volunteer instructors from the American Canoe Association have partnered with the US Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Allatoona, Trust for Public Land/Chattahoochee RiverLands and Georgia Power to offer low-cost Kayaking 101 classes to kick off National Safe Boating Week!

Nationally certified ACA instructors from across Georgia are volunteering their time to offer you a special opportunity to take these classes for just $15 to help celebrate National Safe Boating Week. Typically, these same classes would cost between $75 and $150! We are limited to 15 slots per class so sign up now! A limited number of Kayaks will be provided at each location if you sign up for a kayak at registration but everyone is welcome to bring their own kayak, as well. All types of kayaks are welcome.

If you are new to paddling, looking to meet paddling friends or have had a bad experience and are looking to learn a better way to go about it, sign up now.

Below is a short list of the types of things that will be covered in the LAKE/OPEN WATER classes:
* Trip planning, preparation, and prevention
* What equipment you should carry
* Parts of the boat, parts of the paddle
* Understanding how bulkheads/floatation help make you safer
* How to properly carry & transport your boat
* Basic posture for full body paddling and boat control
* Basic paddling strokes
* How to get in and out of your boat properly
* How to re-enter a kayak if you capsize in deep water
(multiple methods for self and assisted rescue)
* How to empty a swamped boat
* How to tow a swimmer

Below is a short list of the types of things that will be covered in the RIVER class at New Riverlands Park on the Chattahoochee River:

* Trip planning, preparation, and prevention
* What equipment you should carry
* Parts of the boat, parts of the paddle
* Understanding how bulkheads/floatation help make you safer
* How to properly carry & transport your boat
* Basic posture for full body paddling and boat control
* Basic paddling strokes
* How to get in and out of your boat properly
* Basic river reading skills
* Moving water skills to control your boat and avoid obstacles: edging, how to cross an eddy line to catch an eddy, how to cross an eddy line to go straight, peel out into the current, ferry across a river without moving downstream, S-turn

If you need to borrow a kayak, paddle and life jacket, you will have the option to add one to your registration at no extra charge during the registration process. Georgia Rivers and other sponsors are making this gear available to you at no charge as a special opportunity for this class during National Safe Boating Week.

What to bring:
* Camp chair
* Plenty of Water to drink
* Sunscreen or hat
* Strap for your glasses
* Lunch and snacks (We will break for lunch but we will all eat together and then resume the class so we all need to bring our lunches.)

What to wear: Keep in mind we will be paddling and practicing skills for what to do if you capsize, so you will get wet. Quick drying fabrics and shorts are better for paddling than cotton clothing…which will just keep you wet and cold all day. Please do not wear flip flops. Closed-toe river shoes or sneakers are perfect. You need shoes that attach at your ankles and provide some amount of traction.

Weather: If you are concerned about the weather forecast, you should know we have already prepared for class to convene under shelter on land rain or shine so that you can at least get the benefit of on land education. Your nationally certified ACA Lead Instructor will make appropriate determinations about whether or not and when to get on water to keep everyone safe, and you will always have the option to decide about your level of participation. So plan to join us even if Georgia weather is not totally cooperating!!

Due to special nature of this class and the way the partnership brings so many volunteers together to deliver these classes for National Safe Boating Week, we are unable to provide refunds. Thank you for understanding these constraints.

Registration Options*

LAKE/OPEN WATER CLASS at Allatoona Lake, Kellogg Creek Day Use Area, 2077 Kellogg Creek Road, Acworth GA
LAKE/OPEN WATER CLASS at All registrants must be 10 years or older and must be able to swim and paddle independently. Minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult and have a waiver signed by a legal guardian.
Price $15.00
Attend This Session
LAKE/OPEN WATER CLASS at Allatoona Lake, Old Hwy 41 #2 Day Use Area, 6693 North Main Street, Acworth GA
All registrants must be 10 years or older and must be able to swim and paddle independently. Minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult and have a waiver signed by a legal guardian.
Price $15.00
Attend This Session
LAKE/OPEN WATER CLASS at Skidaway Island, Rodney Hall Boat Ramp, 25 Diamond Causeway, Savannah, GA
All registrants must be 10 years or older and must be able to swim and paddle independently. Minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult and have a waiver signed by a legal guardian.
Price $15.00
Attend This Session
LAKE/OPEN WATER CLASS at Lake Oconee, Lawrence Shoals Campground, 123 Lawrence Shoals Rd, Eatonton GA
All registrants must be 10 years or older and must be able to swim and paddle independently. Minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult and have a waiver signed by a legal guardian.
Price $15.00
Attend This Session
RIVER class at Chattahoochee River, New RiverLands Park, 8661 Campbellton Redwine Road, Palmetto, GA
All registrants must be 10 years or older and must be able to swim and paddle independently. Minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult and have a waiver signed by a legal guardian.
Price $15.00
Attend This Session
LAKE/OPEN WATER CLASS at Lake Lanier, Shady Grove Campground, 7800 Allyn Lane Memorial , Cumming, GA [Sold Out]
All registrants must be 10 years or older and must be able to swim and paddle independently. Minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult and have a waiver signed by a legal guardian.
Price $15.00

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Free Kayak Rentals for class participants

Free Kayak Rentals
This rental includes a kayak, paddle and life jacket. Generous sponsors have made this equipment available to you at no cost to celebrate National Safe Boating Week.
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Please answer a few questions to help your ACA instructor:

Briefly describe your paddling experience. How long have you been paddling, and what rivers/lakes have you paddled so far? Is there anything specific that you would like for your instructor to know about your skills or abilities?

What kind of kayak are you planning to bring to this class? Is it a sit inside or sit on top? Is it a recreational kayak, a touring kayak or a whitewater kayak? How long is it? Feel free to include the Make and Model if you know it. If you are renting a boat from the class, just let us know that, as well.

This class is just a taste of ACA training, but to help us understand you better, in the larger picture what are you hoping to get out of paddling training? How does this training fit into your personal paddling goals?

Medical Information We Should Know About. Please list any conditions such as allergies, diabetes, etc. that might help us assist you in the event of a medical emergency.

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