Surf Zone fundamentals for fisherman

Are the kayaks provided?  I might be interested to learn the ropes in a SOT.  I believe I've gotten it down in a SIK, but I've yet to paddle a SOT more than a few minutes (demo day)...

On a slightly more serious note, what are the prerequisites for this class? Or are you going from zero to hero in one day?

Well, most of us are using kayaks. I could offer a pedal boat class for you if you are interested.

If that were the case I'd be teaching you. FYI Hobie users pull and stow their MD's (smart one's put a plug in the MD opening) for launches and landings so we're purely paddlers then.

Z

I know I'm just joking with you

We'll learn about clothing and safety gear, proper safety techniques, Then we're going to learn how to drive a kayak. Forward stroke refinement, sweeps, draws, pries, edging and carving. Then we're going to learn how to help someone else and yourself get back on the boat. Then bracing.
Then we'll talk about how to safely stow gear and launch through the break, how to get your gear once your out. How to read water, what info is needed to be safe (tides/current/weather/wind/etc), and understanding surf zone etiquette.
Then we'll start working our way out and applying all this in the surf zone until we travel through the surf zone with all our gear under control, and then we'll work on landings!

Sounds like a great class to have once I get my kayak (next week i hope!). Wouldn't work for me on weekends though, as i'm off wed-thursday.

It's actually easier for us to do weekdays too. Not sure how many people could do weekdays though

Are the kayaks provided?  I might be interested to learn the ropes in a SOT.  I believe I've gotten it down in a SIK, but I've yet to paddle a SOT more than a few minutes (demo day)...

I can provide boats. It's really the same (almost) once you add thighs traps.

On a slightly more serious note, what are the prerequisites for this class? Or are you going from zero to hero in one day?

Zero to hero baby. 8 hour class. We're in SOT's, so things get a little easier as they are more forgiving than sea kayaks etc. But really it will depend on the group, where they're at when we start and how they progress with skill building.

I would say that 80% of this class will be in the river mouth within view of, but not necessarily going in to/through the zone. That will depend on the conditions and people in the group, and can be adjusted accordingly.

The group this weekend is limited by location and date, otherwise I'd probably be going to Illwaco/Waikiki Beach as it's better for the conditions on Sat. It's kind of big for your first attempt on Sat., but that too depends on the group. At that point it is their call, and myself and another coach are there to provide a safety net should they require assistance.

Really the only way this class works is to just have it as "on call" for locations. That way I could pick a spot a day or two prior for ideal conditions.

My goal is to provide a safe environment for learning some fundamental kayak and safety skills, with feedback, in order to save some of the heart/body ache, lost gear, wipeouts & beat downs associated with learning on your own.