Event Details:
Summer is right around the corner and kayaking is a great way to enjoy South Carolina’s beautiful outdoors! South Carolina State Park Service, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the certified paddlesports instructors of ACA South Carolina are teaming up to get you started!
As part of National Safe Boating Week, nationally certified ACA Kayak instructors are volunteering their time to offer you a special opportunity to take these classes for just $15. Typically, these same classes would cost between $75 and $150! We are limited to 12 slots per class so sign up now! 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. Please reach out to contact us with any questions.
Here are several types of things that will be covered in the class: trip planning and preparation, equipment to bring, parts of the boat and paddle, understanding the importance of bulkheads for flotation, proper techniques for carrying and transporting your boat, basic posture for full body paddling and boat control, basic paddling strokes, getting in and out of your boat safely, techniques to re-enter a capsized kayak, emptying a swamped boat, towing a swimmer, and more!
Weather: If you are concerned about the weather forecast, you should know we are already prepared for class to convene rain or shine so that you can get the benefits of on land education. Your nationally certified ACA instructor will make appropriate determinations about whether or not and when to get on the water, and you will always have the option to decide about your level of participation.
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. 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.
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.
By registering for this event, you are agreeing to allow photographs and videos to be used in future by American Canoe Association, the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and SC State Parks and SC DNR.
What to Bring:
Water, lunch/snacks, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
Meeting Location:
Cabin Lake parking lot
Program Host: Aiken State Park
Contact Email: aikensp@scprt.com
Contact Phone: 803-649-2857