|
Preparing for the Class
What to expect:
The goal of the class is to impart the needed paddling and fishing skills to fish safely and effectively from a kayak. It will be a strenuous day. Previous students have referred to it as “kayak fishing boot camp”. The access points may require carrying the boats for up to ½ mile. The maneuvering drills require lots of energy and stamina. Please prepare for it by getting a full night’s sleep and eating a large breakfast. Please do not show up tired, hungry, or hung-over, as these conditions will be a barrier to your learning as much as possible.
What to bring:
- 2 changes of clothes – one will be left in the shuttle vehicle, and one will come along in a dry bag.
- Rain gear
- Beach towel – an aide to changing in the parking lot, or for putting on your car’s seat if you feel uncomfortable changing in a parking lot.
- Water (or other non-caffeine beverages) – I have consumed up to 13 pints of water on the hottest summer day. Please bring more than you think you need. I freeze mine to keep my lunch cold. Do not “put all of your eggs in one basket”, (i.e. a single thermos or Nalgene bottle with all of your water) because an unsecured lid that leaks out all of your water can lead to dehydration. Bring between 8 and 12 half liter (16.9 oz) bottles.
- Food – Snacks like granola bars, trail mix, fruit, ginger snaps, or your favorite high calorie junk food are good to have for when you need a burst of calories.
- Sandwiches – I usually bring 1 – 2 turkey or ham sandwiches and 1 – 2 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. You will need the energy, so please bring more than you think you will need. I put all of these items with the frozen water bottles in a soft sided cooler bag. These soft sided coolers are available at Target or WalMart for less than $20.
- Sunscreen
- Chap stick
- Sunglasses – polarized sunglasses are preferred.
- Croakies (or other eye wear straps) – should you fall in; these inexpensive glasses straps will keep your eye wear from being lost.
- Hat – A baseball cap is fine, as are boonie hats, or any hat that keeps the sun out of your eyes.
- Long pants – that dry quickly are preferred. If you only have shorts to wear, you will need to use a lot of sunscreen on your legs, as your legs receive a lot of sun while using the sit on top kayaks.
- River shoes – They need to be something that can get wet and muddy. I use a pair of WalMart cheep Tevas – knock offs (I think I paid about $17 for them). They have toe protection, which is nice for getting out of the kayak to wade. Wearing a pair of old tennis shoes that can get muddy will also work.
Cold Weather Classes: Mid Sept – Late May
In addition to the extra 2 changes of clothes, you will need more clothing to put on, should you be submerged in the cool water. Your best protection against hypothermia is dry non-cotton clothing. Cotton sucks the heat out of your body when wet or even damp. Fleece pants, fleece sweatshirts, Smartwool socks, and Under Armour type tops and bottoms are great at keeping your warm. These items will be placed in a dry bag that I will provide. If you have a dry bag, feel free to bring it already packed.
|
