GBCC Beginners Class - June 2&3, 2012

[GBCC Beginners Class]

Signed up (21/50):

[j cagg]

love seeing how many are signing up for this! I look forward to meeting all and establishing some paddling contacts!! 

[pandy]

I would love to take the Beginner Classes the first weekend in June.  I am new to kayaking and would like to use a loner and borrow equipment.  I'm 66 years old and have some back issues, but otherwise I'm in good shape.  Once completing the classes I would like advice on purchasing a kayak and needed equipment.  What do I need to do take the class.   My name is Larry (someone else has that as a user name so I selected Pandy (my fist dog) as a user name.

[Nick Bowley]

Welcome to the club Larry!

With regards to borrowing gear.   What kind of boat are you looking to borrow (Canoe, kayak, recreational, whitewater)? What is your height and weight?   PFDs, helmets, and even kayaks come in different sizes.

Steve Baker is the organizer of this event.  He will be posting additional information closer to the date.

[j cagg]

I do have a rec boat,rec paddle and medium vest I can bring. I wouldn't recomend it for anything above II-. It handles decent enough, and I can catch larger eddies with it. It's a 10 footer, so you can learn some turns. It got me started (and hooked  ). If anyone wants to use it, I will make sure I bring it along.

[spudusaf]

Hello to all!! New to the area. Just got a ten foot kayak (No skirt purchased) Have not been on the water in years. Would like to get going again. Also, looking for ACA courses for certifications in order to volunteer for different organizations. Would this be a good trip for me?

Holler when able.

Stephani

[Eric Ruhl]

I have the following boats that can be borrowed from as long as I still have one for myself (unless i end up in the canoe)  If you do not have gear and want to try out one of these, let me know...

Medium Varun - Skirt(med tunnel)
Large Burn - Skirt (med tunnel) tight on cockpit
3 helmets
Various sizes of life jackets (not kayak specific)

[Tony Allred]

Eric,

I can teach from my solo canoe so you can stay in your kayak, if you prefer.  I also have two Dagger Crossfire kayaks that I can offer to the class.

Tony Allred

[Leroy Simms Jr.]

Do you know what kind of time frame we are looking at for the classes?  I will definitely be attending, but my wife is still contemplating and we would need to line up a sitter. 

[j cagg]

Steve/Nick- Any word on location for this yet?

[Stacy Geis]

Hey there...
So, Tom and I have been following the chatter and we think we might have a sitter lined up for both Saturday and Sunday. (we are the ones who have a tandem canoe). But need more concrete details before we can say for sure if we are in. Could you please send out the locations and times for both days classes so we can see if it works out for us.

Thanks...
~Stacy

[Dave K]

I just realized that there was a Savage release on Sunday.  So put me down for Saturday only.

[steveb]

The latest on the beginner class:

We'll start at 9 am on Saturday and 10 am on Sunday.  It's a great opportunity to make paddling friends and to share the fun of learning to paddle.  Our instructors are all solid paddlers and helpful people.

The location is in metro baltimore, but depends on water levels.  Some possible locations are Patapsco (near Ellicott City), Northern Anne Arrundel county, Gunpowder State Park (near WhiteMarsh),  the Gunpowder river(near Monkton).  Final location announced Thursday.

We do have some gear (boats paddles, pfd and clothing) to lend.  If you'd like to borrow something, please let me know.

We'll be basing this program on the American Canoe Assn (ACA) beginner class.  You'll become aquainted with river reading, paddling saftey, paddling gear and will become proficient with paddle strokes and moving comfortablty  on the water.

There will be trips throughout the season at various skill levels.  You must be a club member ($20/year and a registration form you may sign on Saturday) to attend.
To attend you must pm me on this site or email (steveb1209 at comcast  .  net).

[Linda]

  I had an introduction to kayaking and absolutely loved it.  What I need now is time on the water.  I was wondering what the cost is for this beginner's class?  and is there still room for one more person? What time do you meet and where do you meet?   Thank you

[Barry]

Steve,  I just signed up.  You can use me as an assistant/experienced boater.

Pandy/Larry,  I have an old spray skirt.  If I can find it, you can borrow it.  P.S. I used to have a mild back problem, kayaking SOLVED it.  (All I needed was a little exercise!)  All bodies are different.  Good luck.

Linda, I am talking out of turn but in the past, the beginners' class has always been free.  However, you will need to pay the ACA insurance fee $15. once per YEAR.  You might also need to become a GBCKC member for $15 or $20 per YEAR.  If you do not have your own equipment, you will need to borrow or rent it.

[Jim&Betty]

I would like to help out/ paddle on Sunday if thats ok.
I have a medium Burn, pfds and helmets I can loan.
Thanks,
Jim