If you paddle during the colder months you SHOULD know the risks!
When was the last time you swam in your winter gear? Do you need to wear a wetsuit or dry suit? At what temperature do you need to start wearing a dry suit? What else should you consider when planning that winter trip? Join us and find the answer to all these questions and more.
This will be a joint Class/Clinic with the Carolina Canoe Club oriented towards newer paddlers and non-club associated paddlers who do not have a great support network such as we do but all members are welcome as well as general public.
Day 1 (Saturday, 10-28-23) will be a classroom portion and cold weather activities on the water (lake-flatwater)
Location: Rolling View Recreational Area at Falls Lake State Recreational Area
Instructors: Scott Brown, a L4 Sea Kayak Instructor and William Holman L1 Kayak instructor/L4 Swiftwater Instructor.
10:00 am - Classroom portion will discuss the risks of paddling on cold waters, how to mitigate those risks as a paddler and for your group and gear/clothing to consider for paddling regardless of what type of paddling you do. We will also have numerous types of gear on hand to show everyone and possibly some to demo.
1:00 pm - The Flatwater on water activities will include wading, swimming, and deep water re-entry. All on water activities will be challenge by choice and not required to attend the class. Anyone wishing to participate in this portion must sign a waiver and will be required to have PFD and cold water protection. All are welcome to just observe. This portion will be run by CKC and safety will be run by CCC.
Day 2 (Sunday, Oct. 29) will be a short classroom portion followed by the on water activities (Modified L3 RSR)
Location: TBD (most likely Campbell’s Falls, Cape Fear River, Erwin NC)
Time: 11:30 A.M.
The Classroom portion will be a short Safety brief followed by a few moving water specific concerns when paddling in colder temperatures.
PFD, Helmet, and cold water protection required to participate. All are welcome to watch and not participate.
The Modified L3 River Safety and Rescue will be focused mainly on Wading, Swimming, and throwing ropes to illustrate the effects of the cold water on your skills. This portion is challenge by choice and not required to attend the class on Day 1.
Instructor: William Holman, CCC Safety Chair, L4 Swiftwater Rescue instructor.
All courses will be free but registration or email from non-members is highly encouraged to have a good idea of number of attendees.
Registration for this event will be open 30 days out. If you are a non CCC member and wish to attend please email H William Holman (williamjh33@gmail.com) with your contact information if you wish to attend the River Safety and Rescue portion of this event.