CanoeSport Outfitters

"Where Paddling Is A Priority"

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From October 27th, through November 1st, 2007 Jeff and Casey, owners of CanoeSport Outfitters, participated in the BCU Skills Symposium at Sea Kayak Georgia. Both took part in two days of BCU 4 Star training with coaches Steve Maynard from England and Lamar Hudgens from North Carolina. Two additional days were spent in a coaching processes class with Steve McDonald and Gordon Brown from Scotland. Finally both took part in their 4 Star Assessment with Steve Nickels and Lamar Hudgens. Conditions were rough with small craft advisories during the five days.

The first two days of training involved practicing surf landing and launches in 5' to 7' breaking waves. Time was also spent practicing towing, rescues, and general boat control in rough conditions.

Jeff took part in a live rescue situation when a fellow student failed to make a roll and was unable to perform a scramble or cowboy rescue in the rough surf and tidal currents. Jeff attempted a t-rescue but the rough conditions slammed the two boats together multiple times causing a large crack on his rear deck and damaging his skeg box. A large wave finally separated the swimmer from his boat and Jeff was tipped trying to keep a hold of the swamped kayak. He rolled and then spent 45 minutes towing the kayak to shore while the instructor towed the swimmer.

Assessment day was again windy and both Jeff and Casey had to demonstrate boat handling skills in the waves. They demonstrated proper rescues, towing, landings, launches, and navigation before wrapping up the class.

203 West Salem Ave., Indianola, IA 50125

515-961-6117 or 1-800-257-6080 / e-mail: casey@canoesportoutfitters.com