Symposium 2011
10 November-14 November
Our guests: Helen Wilson, Ben Lawry,Jeff Allen
The OPTIMIST Annual Skills Symposium and BCU week is an event to put on your calendar. This week is a great time to immerse your self in training, networking with coaches from around the world, and listening to some amazing international presentations.
We shall be offering half day clinics where you can learn a variety of paddling techniques, rolling, rescues, safety and navigation, as well as BCU award training and assessments.Plus for the first time ever we will have Surf Ski skill sesions.
This symposium is not just about kayaking; it is a wonderful event where you will meet paddlers from all walks of life, a unique cultural experience in Israel, in a very safe and friendly environment.
Our classes include:
Greenland Skills (Helen Wilson)
widely regarded as one of the best Greenland style paddlers in the world, this course will show you how to get the most from a Greenland paddle. Over thousands of years, the Inuit seal hunters developed sophisticated tools and techniques in order to survive the severe conditions of the Arctic. Come explore a full range of Greenlandic Techniques. Basic through advanced braces, rolls, and strokes will be offered each day and will be designed to accommodate all skill levels. Take one class as it fits your schedule, or join in daily for a complete progression.
Incident Management (Jeff Allen)
This course is designed to teach you skills and procedures that will help you to develop a step by step thought process, to enable you to handle many potential incidents on the sea under pressure. With poor or no possible landings we will be forced to deal with sea sickness, dislocated shoulders, a trapped paddler, heart attack, holes in boats, broken paddles, lost equipment, imploded hatch covers, hypothermia, very difficult landings, capsizing while towing … The aim is to decrease the chances of these incidents from occurring and increase your ability to deal with them
Coastal Navigation (Jeff Allen)
Interpret sources of information including maps, charts, coastal pilots and tide tables. Navigate using visual references, transits, and compass. Interpret weather forecasts and apply to the marine environment. Emergency equipment as VHF uses, flares…
Towing: Equipment & Techniques (Jeff Allen)
Towing is an incredibly useful skill for anyone paddling in groups. Participants may become fatigued, sea sick, or injured and need assistance to return safely to shore. Swimmers may become separated from their kayak after capsizing, or simply need to be moved to a safer place before getting back into their kayak. If the group consists of very fast paddlers and very slow paddlers, towing can be a way to keep the group together. Be prepared and learn these important and useful skills! We’ll look at a variety of equipment for towing as well as a variety of techniques that will make the task as easy as possible for both the tow-ee and the tow-er. We’ll practice techniques for towing paddlers in their kayak, for towing empty kayaks, and for towing swimmers.
BCU “3 Star Sea Kayak”- Training and Assessment. (Jeff Allen)
The British Canoe Union is an internationally recognized governing body of paddle sports. Personal skill level assessments help shape a paddler’s development and help set step-by-step, achievable goals. The 3 Star award marks a sea kayaker who is a competent and able member of a group. While they are not responsible for leadership decisions, they are expected to be able to look after themselves and to be able to assist others in the group. They should be comfortable paddling in moderate conditions with wind up to 16 knots and 3 foot wave faces. Not all those who take it will pass. You are much more likely to be successful if you thoroughly read the guidance notes and understand what is expected of you! See “3 Star Sea Guidance Notes“
Core Paddling (Ben Lawry)
The goal for Core Paddling is to provide a solid ergonomic and efficient set of skills for people to grow through their kayaking career. The subjects covered are correct grip and hand placement in the paddle shaft, check on boat fit, and an explanation of terms. Balance, posture, and tilting are covered as is correct blade and boat use to guarantee a good foundation to grow from. Strokes covered may include forward and reverse sweeps, pivot turns, reverse stroke, forward stroke, and low braces.
Forward Stroke Clinic ( Ben Lawry)
Over 99% of your time is spent paddling forward, yet it is very rarely talked about or taught. This is the introduction to get you started on the correct path for a more enjoyable paddling career. Efficiency and correct body use are the keys here to keep you paddling for hours at a time with ease and grace.
Journey through the wind (Ben Lawry)
You will learn how to take the fundamental skills from Core paddling to practical skills for controlling your kayak though the wind. We use the conditions present to shape the class to best use the wind. Our focus will be on turning the kayak efficiently though the four main points of the wind. Lets hope there is a little breeze blowing.
Pre-requisite: Core Paddling.
Edging and bracing (Ben Lawry)
A detailed look at: the art of not falling in, having been knocked off balance. We will discuss the suitability of different bracing styles and techniques. Keeping the movements safe and productive and helping people stay upright in various situations, positions and surf. Fit, technique and safety all looked at.
Surf Ski (Ben Lawry)
Basically you can sit in a ski and paddle, but that’s about it. Here the focus is specifically at improving skills, technique and fitness,surfing waves, going on downwind paddles, and the use of a Wing paddle.
All sessions will be:
3 hours morning (08:00-11:00)
3 hours afternoon (13:00-16:00)
Some will be full day classes and others half day classes.
Price per day: 400 Israeli shekels
Price for accommodation: a double room: 160 shekel P.P.
3 people in a room: 130 shekel P.P.
Including breakfast
Lunch can be purchased at the dining room of the Kibbutz.
If you would like to participate in our event please contact us at:
ehud@optimist.co.il or: hadasfeldman@gmail.com
Or call us at: 972 522694862