Sea Kayak Connecticut is hosting an American Canoe Association (ACA) coastal kayak instructor certification workshop at the Coast Guard Auxiliary Base at Norwalk’s Calf Pasture Beach.
The course starts Aug. 28 at 8:30 am and conclude on Sept. 1 at 2:00 pm.
Kayakers at Tod’s Point head out to Long Island Sound. Credit: Leslie Yager
Scott Szczepaniak, owner of Sea Kayak Carolina, will be the Instructor Trainer and Greenwich’s David McPherson, owner of Sea Kayak Connecticut, will be the assistant.
There will be ten instructor candidates from the greater Connecticut and New York area who will be training in the classroom and out on the water in an effort to qualify themselves as certified kayak instructors.
The goal of this class is to create a larger pool qualified instructors who can actively promote paddle sport safety for coastal Connecticut waters.
On the heels of the Memorial Day canoeing tragedy that endangered the lives of three and took the life of one, Sea Kayak Connecticut and The US Coast Guard Auxiliary are collaborating on an immersive five-day training program.
The goal is to prepare students to teach safety to the general paddling public. The course also covers proper paddling technique and rescue maneuvers.
David McPherson of Greenwich started Sea Kayak Connecticut in 2011. He is a seasoned open coastal kayak instructor who has also served as a guided for six years.
According to McPherson, the recent kayaking tragedy in Norwalk Harbor made clear the need for more education on safe paddling practices. Also, he said it is important to realize that wind speed, weather, and water temperatures play a huge role in the appropriateness of an outing on Long Island Sound.
“My goal is to create replicas,” McPherson said. “The more of us that are out there promoting safe paddling practices to our friends, neighbors and clients, the better our chances are of preventing tragedies in our coastal waters.”
To register or for additional details, please contact David McPherson by phone 203-247-9186 or e-mail david@seakayakc
More information for Sea Kayak Connecticut is available online. Like Sea Kayak Connecticut on Facebook.