We will be offering open water navigation class on Saturday, March 3 and Sunday, March 18.    As of this writing, there is still 1 spot open in each class.  -------------------

Open Water Navigation Class Announcement

We will offer a one-day Open Water Navigation class.  You can take this class on either Saturday, March 3 or Sunday, March 18.   The second date was set up since several  people could not make the March 3 date. 

We will cover open water and coastal navigation which will include map use, tools,  piloting, … as well as a cursory discussion of tides.  I’ve included a tentative class outline at the bottom of this e-mail.

Registration:  To register for the class, e-mail me at merlin-3d@sbcglobal.net.   

Class Size: We will limit the class size of the March Session to 12 people – people will be accepted on a first come-first accepted basis.  At this time, the March 18 class is limited to 8 student.

What to Bring:  

• -          Compass -  If you have a boat or hand-held compass, please bring it.  If you don’t, wait until after class to get one since you will able to see alternative boat and hand compasses at the class.    
• -          Snacks/Drinks – I will provide soda.  Bring a snack if you think that you are going to want one during the afternoon.

Class Location –

The classes will be held in the Indianapolis area - the class location will be e-mailed to enrolled students about 1 week before the class.

Preliminary Class Outline:   Some navigation classes treat a GPS as a taboo.  I won’t since it is a useful tool.   While you shouldn’t rely on it, it can be useful. 

• ·         High-Level View of Navigation
• o   What is Navigation?
• o   Navigation Tools for the Kayaker
• ·         Maps – Charts – There’s a lot of Info there.
• ·         Navigation Aids in Coastal Waters (Buoys, Lights, Ranges, …)
• ·         Compasses (Types, use)
  Navigation – Info you need before each launch
  - Hazards - Shipping Lanes, Shoals, Points
  - Compass/GPS
  - Rest
• ·         While Paddling
  - How to know if you’re on-course
  - How to know where you are
  - How far you’ve gone while paddling
  - Compensating for Wind and Current
• ·         Tides and Currents (Brief – this could be 4 hours all on its own)
• ·         GPS Preparation BEFORE you leave your computer
  Setting up routes and waypoints.