Overview
This is for you if: You want to learn how to keep yourself and others safe when paddling on flatwater waterways such as lakes, bays and slow-moving rivers.
The 7-hour Flatwater Safety & Rescue for Paddlers Course covers a wide range of topics that will help flat water and open water boaters be safe while paddling on lakes and oceans. Led by water safety rescue instructor Deb Briscoe, participants learn recognition and avoidance of common hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques, and simple rescues of paddlers requiring assistance. Emphasis is placed both on personal safety and on simple, commonly used skills. Although not a paddling skills class, basic strokes and boat handling are also covered. This course is aimed at anyone with an interest in helping themselves and others be safer on the water. No previous paddling or rescue experience required. Certificate of completion awarded upon course conclusion. Kayak, paddle and PFD are included although participants are welcome to bring their own. If you would like to use our kayaks and gear, indicate how many in your party would like to do in the Kayak Add-On field. Minimum age is 10.
Highlights
Highlights:
- Dynamic water safety and rescue training that is comprehensive, professional and fun
- Exposure to a wide range of techniques and skills
- Opportunity to lead and conduct rescues in simulated scenarios
- A supportive learning environment
Location
Watauga Point Recreation Area
What to Expect
- Promote proactive prevention of paddling accidents and injuries
- Identify and avoid hazards
- Develop and practice key self-rescue skills
- Develop and practice methods for rescuing victims and recovering equipment
Prerequisites
- Age 10+
- Good overall health and fitness
- Some swimming ability and comfortable swimming in open water
- Participants should dress appropriately for weather and temperature and expect to be in the water for extended periods of time
- Participants must wear a PFD (personal flotation device) while on the water
Includes
- Flatwater safety and rescue training
- Recreational kayak
- PFD
- Paddle
- Dry bag to store personal items
What to Bring
Clothes suitable for the conditions both off- and on-water (i.e., clothes that can keep you warm when wet, ideally synthetic/non-cotton wicking-type shirt, swim shorts, etc), water shoes (something that will stay on your feet when in the water, not flip flops), water, lunch/snacks, sunscreen, rain jacket (weather dependent), camp chair (if you have one), towel, pen and paper
Meeting Location
We will meet at Watauga Point Recreation Area near Hampton, TN by the pavilion.
Additional Information
Camping is available close by at Cardens Bluff Campground and Boot's Off Campground and Hostel. The closest hotels are in Elizabethton, TN, approximately 20 minutes away. Lodging and camping is also available at our outpost on the Nolichucky River (about 45 mins away) and can be reserved directly with either USA Raft or Nolichucky Gorge Campground.
Testimonials
"The instructors make the class fun and also demonstrate what is the proper way to do the skill prior to students doing the skill, and if extra time is needed, they go out of their way to make sure that all students have accomplished the skill. And also encourage the student to practice while kayaking with others to master the skill. The Flatwater Safety & Rescue for Paddlers Class taught me so much that I hadn't even thought about for the past 4 years of kayaking on lakes and area rivers. I would highly recommend this course to anyone who kayaks."
~ Kevin C.