Bracing and Rough Water Survival Clinic with Wayne Horodowich of USK
Date: Sunday, July 14
Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (one-hour lunch break)
HITW Contact: Todd Bowman, HITW Training Coordinator
Email: trainingcoordinator@holeinthewallpaddlingclub.org
Location: Deception Pass State Park, Bowman Bay. A Discover Pass is required for parking. Restrooms available.
Cost: $100
Minimum students for class to run: 8 Maximum: 12
If minimum is met or over, no refund for cancelations. If minimum is not met, class will be canceled and fees will be refunded.
Description: It is easier to stay upright than to get upright. When you capsize, having a rolland/or knowing recovery techniques are important. However, if you have good bracing skills you minimize your chance of capsizing. When the wind picks up and the water gets rough your need for support increases and you also need to be able to maneuver against that wind while the water around you is bouncing your kayak around.
Traditional bracing classes focus on the slap brace, which is a one-shot attempt at staying upright. This clinic focuses on bracing techniques that give you more support and that are more reliable. We also work on developing techniques to give you support when paddling in rough water. In addition, skills for maneuvering against the wind are included.
Before you can go into rough water you need to develop your skills on calm water. Therefore, this class is taught on calm water so you can learn the skills you will need for rough water.
Because this is a bracing class you may be spending time immersed in the water so protective clothing is required. Since some capsizing will occur you will have an opportunity to polish your recovery skills.
Wayne Horodowich is the founder of the University of Sea Kayaking, LLC (USK) and has been teaching Sea Kayaking since the mid 1980's and is the producer of the "In Depth" Instructional video series on sea kayaking. Wayne has also written a new book for his instructor/guide development program called “Practicing Good Judgment - Adventurer’s Guide to Making Critical Decisions.”