How to Choose Courses
Step 1) Self-assess your skill level
Please use the following descriptions and criteria to place yourself into one of the three categories. Self-assessment is important to you, to us and to other participants. As a participant, it helps ensure that you’re learning at the most appropriate level. When a class is too challenging or not challenging enough, effective learning is greatly reduced. Self-assessment helps us manage risk and allows participants to learn and perform at a reasonably equal level. Self-assess yourself into the category that bests describes your paddling experience and competence. You do not have to meet every criteria of the category, but should meet many of them.
Advanced Beginner Paddler
The advanced beginner has some formal instruction and can perform self rescue and peer rescue in flat water. They can paddle forward with efficiency, steer their kayak, move sideways and prevent capsize effectively in flat water. They are able to maneuver their kayaks in tight spaces and can paddle 6-8 miles in a protected coastal or inland environment in a day.
Intermediate Paddler
The Intermediate paddler can perform all of the desired skills of an advanced beginner efficiently and effectively. They can paddle backwards and maintain a course in wind and current. The Intermediate paddler should be able roll their kayak in flat water and scull for support. They are proficient with deep water rescues and towing techniques. The Intermediate paddler understands paddling theories such as trip planning, navigation and equipment. The intermediate paddler can perform those skills in winds up to 15kt, moving water up to 3kt and swells up to 6ft. The intermediate paddler can paddle 8-15 miles in a day.
Advanced Intermediate Paddler
The advanced intermediate paddler has a variety of experience in the cockpit and can perform all the fundamental skills and deep water rescues in wind up to 20kt, moving water up to 4kt and swells up to 9ft. The advanced intermediate paddler has a reliable roll in moving water, is in good physical condition and can paddle 15-20 miles in a day. The advanced intermediate paddler has good group awareness, assesses personal risk accurately and can travel well in a group of led paddlers.
If you have difficulty self assessing yourself, please consult a paddling partner or coach for advice. You can also ask us at info @ ggsks.com.