Open Water Rescue & Intermediate Skills

Friday May 30- Sunday June 1

Location: Summit Lake State Park 

Instructor Sponsors: Linda Decker & Jim Heichelbech

Join us for a fun training weekend focusing on kayak skills and open water rescues. It is a great chance to get to know other paddlers, learn what to do in a rescue situation and improve your skills. If you can’t come for the weekend, come for the day you choose..

Reserve Campsites Early. Registration is now open. Jim & Linda will be in site 117

Itinerary:

Friday May 30 Arrive to camp Options: afternoon paddle, practice rolling, group campfire

Saturday May 31st Day will focus on rescues, towing, managing emergencies Launch Time tbd

Sunday June 1st Intermediate Skills – strokes, edging, bracing,  Launch Time tbd

Location: Summit Lake 5993 N. Messick Road New Castle, Indiana  South Boat Launch Near Harvey Shelter (Enter Park and go left at the T intersection and follow the signs to the boat launch)

We will be practicing sea kayak handling and rescue techniques.  We will focus on how to manage your boat to keep from capsizing, and how to get yourself and your friends back into their boats when the inevitable happens in open water.  There will be plenty of time to work on strokes, bracing, balancing, towing, and rescues. 

This clinic is an opportunity for new paddlers to learn open water rescue techniques and a chance for more experienced paddlers to compare techniques and practice them in a safe environment.  This clinic is important since kayakers need to regularly practice these skills, so they are “fresh” when we get into a real rescue situation.  You want to know how to get yourself or someone else back in their boat quickly and on your first attempt.   Open water paddlers should take this course before attempting any "big water" adventures.

Rescue Course Content: 

·       Wet exiting your boat 

·       Solo Reentries (Paddle Float, Cowboy, Reenter and Roll) 

·       Assisted Reentries (T-Rescue, Stirrup Rescue, Scoop Rescue) 

·       Towing - contact tows, short tows, and regular tows. Will discuss when to start towing and when towing may be needed to assist a rescue (I will bring extra tow ropes if you don’t have one.)

Required Equipment:

·       Touring or Sea Kayak - Kayak must have flotation in both bow and stern either sealed bulkheads or flotation bags

• If you have a Recreational Kayak, you do not need the flotation, but bring it if you have it. Please bring your Spray Skirt if you have one.  A life Jacket is required.  We will have a separate group for the recreational boats and will practice rescues in a sheltered area near shore.

·       Spray Skirt

·       Life Jacket 

·       Kayak Safety Gear - Bring the kayak safety gear that you normally carry:  pump, paddle float, stirrup, tow line.   Please do not buy this equipment just for this class since you can borrow from other participants to see what works for you before you buy.

An Indiana DNR 2025 Non- Motorized Sticker is required for each boat $5 at the gate or can be ordered in advance online

For questions contact:

Linda Decker lsdecker2018@gmail.com

Jim Heichelbech gem5610@gmail.com