We do three things here at CKAPCO. We Instruct students in Canoe and Kayak skills. We Certify & Assess, candidates as ACA [American Canoe Association] Kayak or Canoe Instructors and Assess ACA and BCU [British Canoe Union] Kayak skill levels and Coaches. And we Organize Trips, to extend the learning process.
INSTRUCTION at CKAPCO, in the broad sense has two very distinct areas of concentration:
1 Public Courses
Canoe Kayak and Paddle Company (“CKAPCO”) provides paddling instruction to every level of paddler: beginner, intermediate and advanced.
CKAPCO’s objective is to provide knowledge and skills that are relevant and germane to the customer’s needs, in a progression that builds upon preceding classes. To do this, we use levels (1 - 4) as a recommended order of instructional progression. CKAPCO suggests that Levels 1 and 2 (L 1 and L 2) be taken as early and close together as possible. However, it is our experience that instruction at Levels 3 and 4 (L 3 and L 4) has the greatest impact after paddlers have had on-water experience, practicing and mastering basic strokes and maneuvers, as well as building up their on-water confidence.
The beginning paddler (one who has no professional instruction within the last 2 years) starts with L 1, a 3-hour introduction to paddling kayaks course. The course covers the nomenclature and handling of boat and paddle, launching and landing, foundation strokes and maneuvers, and a brief tour.
L 2 is a 3-hour course that is primarily an introduction to kayak paddling with use of a spray skirt, wet exiting, assisted and self rescues, with practice time. The last half hour is spent developing the J lean with introduction to low bracing and gentle edging, with the last drill paddling a circle controlled by out side boat tilt.
A sensible progression is practicing what was learned in L 1 and L 2 on a CKAPCO trip, or repeating L 1 /2 and then coming to L 3.
L 1 and L 2 in combination are similar to the ACA Introduction to Kayaking, but with actual rescue practice.
We strongly suggest taking L 1 and L 2 before purchasing a kayak, or before taking a guided trip, and certainly before venturing off on your own.
http://www.ckapco.com/ 703 264.8911 email Mikearonoff@aol.com
CKAPCO L 3, L 4 and related training.
Levels 3 and 4 are recommended for paddlers who have spent some time on the water, and now want to further improve their paddling. L 3 is a 7-hour course that is primarily a stroke refinement course. The course starts with “kayak physics” and a discussion of coordinating body, boat, and blade. Sweeps, backs, draws, and forward strokes are reviewed with added technique for efficiency. Low and high bracing is taught and practiced followed by braced turns, low and high. Bow draw turns that use various tilt and rudder stroke combinations for turning in varied wind conditions are taught and practiced. We wind up with hanging draws and side slips used for turning and rescues, as well as draws on the move.
L 4 is a 7-hour course conducted in moderate conditions of waves and wind, usually on the Chesapeake Bay. L 4 covers trip planning with navigation (chart and compass) for that actual day’s paddling. Relevant skills learned in L 1 – L 3 and previously practiced on flat water are practiced in wind and waves up to 2 feet. We will cover towing systems and practice towing and open water rescues. Bring food for a working lunch on a beach. You should probably have your own gear and be a competent flat water paddler with trip experience of 8 miles or more before taking this course. This is a very fun filled day of learning and experience, but it is not for beginners.
Kayak Rolling is dedicated to a progressive proven method of learning. A session is usually 2 hours of private or semi private instruction.
In addition, CKAPCO is happy to provide special private or group instruction, trips or instruction-trip combinations for any circumstances. We often provide relevant instruction for people who are anticipating paddling trips elsewhere as trial and training runs.
CKAPCO also conducts team building and just plain fun outings, as well as kids’ camps. If you have a question, just call any day from 7 am to 6 pm and we can discuss your situation.
http://www.ckapco.com/ 703 264.8911 Mikearonoff@aol.com
2. Certification courses These courses are for paddlers who wish to become instructors of/for the public courses. "Cert." courses are divided into two parts. An Instructor Development Workshop [IDW], which is the learning or polishing phase. And an Instructor Certification exam Or better Evaluation [ICE], which is the performance phase demonstrating that one can teach at the course level. Successful completion of the ICE results in certification as an instructor.
For details dealing with certification specific to CANOE or KAYAK classes go to Certifications under those headings.
Link to New ACA Level 1 - 4 Coastal Kayak assessments
Link to BCU "Star" Training and assessment program
GO HERE FOR kayaking details and specifics
For canoeing details and specifics
We pay out 10% of our net to conservation directed Foundations and are partners with the Potomac River Conservancy and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, as well as major sponsors of the West Virginia River Coalition.
We may also provide discounts to certain like minded organizations in order to promote safety and skill in paddlesports.
We do three things here at CKAPCO. We Instruct students in Canoe and Kayak skills. We Certify & Assess, candidates as ACA [American Canoe Association] Kayak or Canoe Instructors and Assess ACA and BCU [British Canoe Union] Kayak skill levels and Coaches. And we Organize Trips, to extend the learning process.
INSTRUCTION at CKAPCO, in the broad sense has two very distinct areas of concentration:
1 Public Courses
Canoe Kayak and Paddle Company (“CKAPCO”) provides paddling instruction to every level of paddler: beginner, intermediate and advanced.
CKAPCO’s objective is to provide knowledge and skills that are relevant and germane to the customer’s needs, in a progression that builds upon preceding classes. To do this, we use levels (1 - 4) as a recommended order of instructional progression. CKAPCO suggests that Levels 1 and 2 (L 1 and L 2) be taken as early and close together as possible. However, it is our experience that instruction at Levels 3 and 4 (L 3 and L 4) has the greatest impact after paddlers have had on-water experience, practicing and mastering basic strokes and maneuvers, as well as building up their on-water confidence.
The beginning paddler (one who has no professional instruction within the last 2 years) starts with L 1, a 3-hour introduction to paddling kayaks course. The course covers the nomenclature and handling of boat and paddle, launching and landing, foundation strokes and maneuvers, and a brief tour.
L 2 is a 3-hour course that is primarily an introduction to kayak paddling with use of a spray skirt, wet exiting, assisted and self rescues, with practice time. The last half hour is spent developing the J lean with introduction to low bracing and gentle edging, with the last drill paddling a circle controlled by out side boat tilt.
A sensible progression is practicing what was learned in L 1 and L 2 on a CKAPCO trip, or repeating L 1 /2 and then coming to L 3.
L 1 and L 2 in combination are similar to the ACA Introduction to Kayaking, but with actual rescue practice.
We strongly suggest taking L 1 and L 2 before purchasing a kayak, or before taking a guided trip, and certainly before venturing off on your own.
http://www.ckapco.com/ 703 264.8911 email Mikearonoff@aol.com
CKAPCO L 3, L 4 and related training.
Levels 3 and 4 are recommended for paddlers who have spent some time on the water, and now want to further improve their paddling. L 3 is a 7-hour course that is primarily a stroke refinement course. The course starts with “kayak physics” and a discussion of coordinating body, boat, and blade. Sweeps, backs, draws, and forward strokes are reviewed with added technique for efficiency. Low and high bracing is taught and practiced followed by braced turns, low and high. Bow draw turns that use various tilt and rudder stroke combinations for turning in varied wind conditions are taught and practiced. We wind up with hanging draws and side slips used for turning and rescues, as well as draws on the move.
L 4 is a 7-hour course conducted in moderate conditions of waves and wind, usually on the Chesapeake Bay. L 4 covers trip planning with navigation (chart and compass) for that actual day’s paddling. Relevant skills learned in L 1 – L 3 and previously practiced on flat water are practiced in wind and waves up to 2 feet. We will cover towing systems and practice towing and open water rescues. Bring food for a working lunch on a beach. You should probably have your own gear and be a competent flat water paddler with trip experience of 8 miles or more before taking this course. This is a very fun filled day of learning and experience, but it is not for beginners.
Kayak Rolling is dedicated to a progressive proven method of learning. A session is usually 2 hours of private or semi private instruction.
In addition, CKAPCO is happy to provide special private or group instruction, trips or instruction-trip combinations for any circumstances. We often provide relevant instruction for people who are anticipating paddling trips elsewhere as trial and training runs.
CKAPCO also conducts team building and just plain fun outings, as well as kids’ camps. If you have a question, just call any day from 7 am to 6 pm and we can discuss your situation.
http://www.ckapco.com/ 703 264.8911 Mikearonoff@aol.com
2. Certification courses These courses are for paddlers who wish to become instructors of/for the public courses. "Cert." courses are divided into two parts. An Instructor Development Workshop [IDW], which is the learning or polishing phase. And an Instructor Certification exam Or better Evaluation [ICE], which is the performance phase demonstrating that one can teach at the course level. Successful completion of the ICE results in certification as an instructor.
For details dealing with certification specific to CANOE or KAYAK classes go to Certifications under those headings.
Link to New ACA Level 1 - 4 Coastal Kayak assessments
Link to BCU "Star" Training and assessment program
GO HERE FOR kayaking details and specifics
For canoeing details and specifics
We pay out 10% of our net to conservation directed Foundations and are partners with the Potomac River Conservancy and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, as well as major sponsors of the West Virginia River Coalition.
We may also provide discounts to certain like minded organizations in order to promote safety and skill in paddlesports.