2012 GGSKS Courses
Click to read self-assessment guidelines
Tides 101
Advanced Beginner
This class is meant to introduce paddlers to tides and tidal currents in the perfect training environment of San Francisco Bay. The class will expand on tidal predictions, heights, speeds, corrections and other factors that regularly present themselves. Students will learn how to best plan and use tides and currents to their advantage. Time will be spent practicing skills such as crossing an eddy line and ferry gliding in small local tidal races with a focus on building confidence and developing good technique. Students in this class should have well-developed foundation skills and a willingness to learn. Strokes and Edge Control 201
Advanced Beginner, Intermediate
This class is for paddlers who really want to make their kayak ‘dance’. You should already have a solid grasp of basic steering strokes and be able to edge your kayak on flat water. We’ll take skills learnt on flat, still water out into wind, waves and current and discover how effective they are and how they might need to be modified for the real world. You should bring an open mind and be ready to learn by self discovery. Combat Rescues
Advanced Beginner, Intermediate
Combat Rescues will have you learning and fine-tuning your rescue techniques in real-world conditions. Work on assisted and self rescue techniques in a safe but challenging, moving-water environment and find out which techniques work best. Paddlers should have experience with self and assisted rescues in flat water. Dress for a considerable amount of time in the water and bring your normal paddling kit. Bay Journey – Practical Application of Advanced Beginning Skills
Advanced Beginner, Intermediate
Coaches will keep this day trip within San Francisco Bay and teach multiple lessons along the way. Potential topics covered will be navigation, tides & currents, moving water, rescues, towing, directional control in wind and more. Paddlers should be prepared to paddle 8-12 miles at a moderate pace during the day. No Bay paddling experience is necessary for this trip. Bring your normal paddling kit.
Intermediate, Advanced Intermediate
This is the class to prepare you for the unknown. We’ll look at common mishaps that occur when paddling in a group and how to handle them before they spiral out of control. We’ll look at useful gear and necessary “hard” skills like rescues and towing. As important, we’ll also look at how good risk assessments and proper planning can help us avoid problems. You should already have the basics of a self and assisted rescue and you will put these skills into practice during some true-to-life scenarios. Coaches will setup a number of scenarios to manage ranging from advanced rescues to hurt or sick paddlers, broken equipment, getting lost, becoming stormbound and more. If you can think of it, the coaches can instruct you how to deal with it. The lessons from this class will stick with you for your entire paddling career. Participants should be dressed for potentially prolonged immersion in cold (54F) water and should be ready for all conditions with appropriate kit. This course may cover up to 10 miles.
Developing Greenland Skills
Intermediate, Advanced Intermediate
This class is intended for those paddlers already using a Greenland paddle. This is a great chance to work on skills you have already started developing with some of the best coaches on the west coast. You will work on Greenland paddling strokes & skills in flat and moving water as well as a variety of rolling techniques with a Greenland paddle. Any sea kayak is suitable and a selection of Greenland paddles will be provided. Coastal Journey – Practical Application of Intermediate Skills
Intermediate, Advanced Intermediate
This day trip will go beyond sightseeing and incorporate multiple mini-lessons throughout the day. Depending on conditions, the trip may venture out the Golden Gate to the coast or stay within San Francisco Bay. Coaches will use the landscape and features to introduce and develop touring techniques dealing with wind, current, navigation, rocks, dangers and potentially surf. Paddlers should be prepared for 10-15 miles of paddling in swell up to 4 feet and wind up to 15 knots. Bring your normal paddling kit. Intermediate Rock Gardening Intermediate, Advanced Intermediate
This class is not for beginners. You should have some experience paddling in rough water and in and around rocks and surf. You should have good boat skills, be confident in self and assisted rescues and have the makings of a combat roll. In this class, you will learn how to take these skills further by exploring every feature of the coastline that it is safe to exploit under the guidance of top coaches. You will develop your skills and more importantly your judgment as well as have a ton of fun. Plastic kayaks are highly recommended! Helmets are mandatory. Rock Gardening Safety & Rescues
Intermediate, Advanced Intermediate
In this class students will work on rescue maneuvers in and around the rocks. You will discuss and practice various rescue techniques unique to the potentially dangerous environment of the rock garden, including the use of short and long tow ropes and throw bags. You will learn signaling methods and how to manage a group to prevent dangerous incidents from developing. Students should have a solid understanding and ability to perform rescues in flat water and be willing to try them in this dynamic moving water environment. Helmets are mandatory and plastic kayaks are recommended. Paddlers should be in good physical condition and be dressed and ready to swim. This class is useful for anyone who plays amongst the rocks and essential for those that lead others in such environments. Surf Zone – Intermediate & Advanced Play
Intermediate, Advanced Intermediate
Join coaches and classmates in the search for the perfect wave. Paddlers in this class should have solid paddling skills – strokes, braces, rescues. Coaches will encourage students to move beyond their comfort zone whilst using good judgement. Helmets are mandatory. Participants should be in good physical condition as this will be a strenuous class. The location of this class will be determined by swell conditions. Transportation to and from the class location will be provided.
Advanced Rock Gardening
Advanced Intermediate
This class is for advanced paddlers who have plenty of experience in coastal conditions, including the surf zone, as well as a reliable combat roll. Solid paddling skills are needed – strokes, braces, rescues. Coaches will encourage students to move beyond their comfort zone whilst using good judgment. They will teach specific rock gardening skills such as the pour-over, paddling through arches, exploring caves, etc whilst working on timing and appropriate stroke sequences, communication, and group dynamics. Plastic kayaks are recommended. Helmets are mandatory. Participants should be in good physical condition as this will be a strenuous class.
Advanced Beginner
This class is meant to introduce paddlers to tides and tidal currents in the perfect training environment of San Francisco Bay. The class will expand on tidal predictions, heights, speeds, corrections and other factors that regularly present themselves. Students will learn how to best plan and use tides and currents to their advantage. Time will be spent practicing skills such as crossing an eddy line and ferry gliding in small local tidal races with a focus on building confidence and developing good technique. Students in this class should have well-developed foundation skills and a willingness to learn. Strokes and Edge Control 201
Advanced Beginner, Intermediate
This class is for paddlers who really want to make their kayak ‘dance’. You should already have a solid grasp of basic steering strokes and be able to edge your kayak on flat water. We’ll take skills learnt on flat, still water out into wind, waves and current and discover how effective they are and how they might need to be modified for the real world. You should bring an open mind and be ready to learn by self discovery. Combat Rescues
Advanced Beginner, Intermediate
Combat Rescues will have you learning and fine-tuning your rescue techniques in real-world conditions. Work on assisted and self rescue techniques in a safe but challenging, moving-water environment and find out which techniques work best. Paddlers should have experience with self and assisted rescues in flat water. Dress for a considerable amount of time in the water and bring your normal paddling kit. Bay Journey – Practical Application of Advanced Beginning Skills
Advanced Beginner, Intermediate
Coaches will keep this day trip within San Francisco Bay and teach multiple lessons along the way. Potential topics covered will be navigation, tides & currents, moving water, rescues, towing, directional control in wind and more. Paddlers should be prepared to paddle 8-12 miles at a moderate pace during the day. No Bay paddling experience is necessary for this trip. Bring your normal paddling kit.
Rock Garden 101
Advanced Beginner, Intermediate
If you are new to coastal paddling and want to develop the skills needed to start playing amongst the rocks then this class is for you. You will need solid fundamental skills such as sweep strokes, the ability to edge your kayak and a low brace. You will learn how to use these strokes and others in the dynamic environment of a rock garden. You will learn about judgment and timing and where to go and what to avoid. Plastic kayaks are recommended. Helmets are mandatory. You will be working on the many rock features found inside of the Golden Gate.
Surf Zone 101
Advanced Beginner, Intermediate
Surf zone 101 is an introduction to surf zone dynamics, swimming in surf, bracing, launching, landing, group management, communication, safety and basic surfing techniques. You will learn how to use foundation skills and others in the dynamic environment of the surf zone. If you paddle in a coastal environment or just like to have fun in your kayak, this class is for you. Practical Navigation
Advanced Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Intermediate
This class will focus on navigating from the cockpit. Learn and practice all things navigation – plotting a course, taking a bearing, following a heading, using ranges, reading charts, etc. The challenge is taking navigational theories and practices outside the classroom and into your kayak. Learn skills to help you quickly and accurately navigate while under way. Students must be equipped with a waterproof chart or chart and case, compass (deck and/or orienteering), a watch and a writing device such as a grease pencil or a waterproof notebook and pencil. NOAA chart 18649 will be the chart required for the class. Forward Stroke 201
Advanced Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Intermediate
This class will help you refine your forward stroke with the aim of becoming more efficient, delivering power without wasting energy and thus giving you more control and greater enjoyment of your paddling. Be prepared to be challenged on how and why you paddle the way you do. Video will be used to analyze your stroke. You will learn new drills to take away to help develop your technique into the future. This class will be conducted on flat water at Horseshoe Cove. Debacle Deterrence & Chaos Control – Women’s Only
Advanced Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Intermediate
Risk management on and off the water is a kayaker’s best friend. As paddlers in the sea, we spend time playing in one of the most dynamic environments on our planet, so it makes good sense to practice, analyze and reflect on possible scenarios that the sea gods may present to us. Saying to yourself “What if this happens…” and resolving a plan, is part of good wilderness planning. But why stop there? Get out there and put yourself in the picture! Play with it and try it out! That’s what this class will focus on – practicing various ‘what ifs’ and debriefing the lessons learned. This is an action-oriented class for women only taught by female coaches. Be prepared for immersion and bring scenarios you want to try.
Advanced Beginner, Intermediate
Surf zone 101 is an introduction to surf zone dynamics, swimming in surf, bracing, launching, landing, group management, communication, safety and basic surfing techniques. You will learn how to use foundation skills and others in the dynamic environment of the surf zone. If you paddle in a coastal environment or just like to have fun in your kayak, this class is for you. Practical Navigation
Advanced Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Intermediate
This class will focus on navigating from the cockpit. Learn and practice all things navigation – plotting a course, taking a bearing, following a heading, using ranges, reading charts, etc. The challenge is taking navigational theories and practices outside the classroom and into your kayak. Learn skills to help you quickly and accurately navigate while under way. Students must be equipped with a waterproof chart or chart and case, compass (deck and/or orienteering), a watch and a writing device such as a grease pencil or a waterproof notebook and pencil. NOAA chart 18649 will be the chart required for the class. Forward Stroke 201
Advanced Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Intermediate
This class will help you refine your forward stroke with the aim of becoming more efficient, delivering power without wasting energy and thus giving you more control and greater enjoyment of your paddling. Be prepared to be challenged on how and why you paddle the way you do. Video will be used to analyze your stroke. You will learn new drills to take away to help develop your technique into the future. This class will be conducted on flat water at Horseshoe Cove. Debacle Deterrence & Chaos Control – Women’s Only
Advanced Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Intermediate
Risk management on and off the water is a kayaker’s best friend. As paddlers in the sea, we spend time playing in one of the most dynamic environments on our planet, so it makes good sense to practice, analyze and reflect on possible scenarios that the sea gods may present to us. Saying to yourself “What if this happens…” and resolving a plan, is part of good wilderness planning. But why stop there? Get out there and put yourself in the picture! Play with it and try it out! That’s what this class will focus on – practicing various ‘what ifs’ and debriefing the lessons learned. This is an action-oriented class for women only taught by female coaches. Be prepared for immersion and bring scenarios you want to try.
Advanced Boat Control Master Class
Intermediate, Advanced Intermediate
This class is for paddlers who want to improve their technique. You should be confident in a range of steering strokes and be able to edge your kayak in waves or moving water. We will take these skills to the next level by working on combining strokes and using these sequences in challenging conditions under the watchful eye of some of the best instructors on the planet.
Incident ManagementThis class is for paddlers who want to improve their technique. You should be confident in a range of steering strokes and be able to edge your kayak in waves or moving water. We will take these skills to the next level by working on combining strokes and using these sequences in challenging conditions under the watchful eye of some of the best instructors on the planet.
Riding the Tides 201
Intermediate, Advanced Intermediate
This class is for paddlers who want more time learning about and paddling in strong tidal currents. The class could cover 8+ miles and move around to various locations including Alcatraz, Angel Island and Yellow Bluff depending on conditions. Time will be spent practicing techniques such as spins, reverse ferry glides and surfing in the more powerful tidal races of San Francisco Bay. Focus will be on increasing confidence in fast water and reinforcing navigation and strategy in tidal conditions. A combat roll is desirable but not a pre-requisite for this class.
Intermediate, Advanced Intermediate
This class is for paddlers who want more time learning about and paddling in strong tidal currents. The class could cover 8+ miles and move around to various locations including Alcatraz, Angel Island and Yellow Bluff depending on conditions. Time will be spent practicing techniques such as spins, reverse ferry glides and surfing in the more powerful tidal races of San Francisco Bay. Focus will be on increasing confidence in fast water and reinforcing navigation and strategy in tidal conditions. A combat roll is desirable but not a pre-requisite for this class.
Intermediate, Advanced Intermediate
This is the class to prepare you for the unknown. We’ll look at common mishaps that occur when paddling in a group and how to handle them before they spiral out of control. We’ll look at useful gear and necessary “hard” skills like rescues and towing. As important, we’ll also look at how good risk assessments and proper planning can help us avoid problems. You should already have the basics of a self and assisted rescue and you will put these skills into practice during some true-to-life scenarios. Coaches will setup a number of scenarios to manage ranging from advanced rescues to hurt or sick paddlers, broken equipment, getting lost, becoming stormbound and more. If you can think of it, the coaches can instruct you how to deal with it. The lessons from this class will stick with you for your entire paddling career. Participants should be dressed for potentially prolonged immersion in cold (54F) water and should be ready for all conditions with appropriate kit. This course may cover up to 10 miles.
Developing Greenland Skills
Intermediate, Advanced Intermediate
This class is intended for those paddlers already using a Greenland paddle. This is a great chance to work on skills you have already started developing with some of the best coaches on the west coast. You will work on Greenland paddling strokes & skills in flat and moving water as well as a variety of rolling techniques with a Greenland paddle. Any sea kayak is suitable and a selection of Greenland paddles will be provided. Coastal Journey – Practical Application of Intermediate Skills
Intermediate, Advanced Intermediate
This day trip will go beyond sightseeing and incorporate multiple mini-lessons throughout the day. Depending on conditions, the trip may venture out the Golden Gate to the coast or stay within San Francisco Bay. Coaches will use the landscape and features to introduce and develop touring techniques dealing with wind, current, navigation, rocks, dangers and potentially surf. Paddlers should be prepared for 10-15 miles of paddling in swell up to 4 feet and wind up to 15 knots. Bring your normal paddling kit. Intermediate Rock Gardening Intermediate, Advanced Intermediate
This class is not for beginners. You should have some experience paddling in rough water and in and around rocks and surf. You should have good boat skills, be confident in self and assisted rescues and have the makings of a combat roll. In this class, you will learn how to take these skills further by exploring every feature of the coastline that it is safe to exploit under the guidance of top coaches. You will develop your skills and more importantly your judgment as well as have a ton of fun. Plastic kayaks are highly recommended! Helmets are mandatory. Rock Gardening Safety & Rescues
Intermediate, Advanced Intermediate
In this class students will work on rescue maneuvers in and around the rocks. You will discuss and practice various rescue techniques unique to the potentially dangerous environment of the rock garden, including the use of short and long tow ropes and throw bags. You will learn signaling methods and how to manage a group to prevent dangerous incidents from developing. Students should have a solid understanding and ability to perform rescues in flat water and be willing to try them in this dynamic moving water environment. Helmets are mandatory and plastic kayaks are recommended. Paddlers should be in good physical condition and be dressed and ready to swim. This class is useful for anyone who plays amongst the rocks and essential for those that lead others in such environments. Surf Zone – Intermediate & Advanced Play
Intermediate, Advanced Intermediate
Join coaches and classmates in the search for the perfect wave. Paddlers in this class should have solid paddling skills – strokes, braces, rescues. Coaches will encourage students to move beyond their comfort zone whilst using good judgement. Helmets are mandatory. Participants should be in good physical condition as this will be a strenuous class. The location of this class will be determined by swell conditions. Transportation to and from the class location will be provided.
Advanced Rock Gardening
Advanced Intermediate
This class is for advanced paddlers who have plenty of experience in coastal conditions, including the surf zone, as well as a reliable combat roll. Solid paddling skills are needed – strokes, braces, rescues. Coaches will encourage students to move beyond their comfort zone whilst using good judgment. They will teach specific rock gardening skills such as the pour-over, paddling through arches, exploring caves, etc whilst working on timing and appropriate stroke sequences, communication, and group dynamics. Plastic kayaks are recommended. Helmets are mandatory. Participants should be in good physical condition as this will be a strenuous class.