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KAYAK INSTRUCTIONAL PROGAMS :: MASTERS SERIES :: KAREN KNIGHT
Masters Series
with
Karen Knight
The River Connection once again offering Masters Series programs with one of the Nations Premier Boaters, Karen Knight. Internationally recognized for her paddling precision in canoeing and kayaking, Karen and Bob Foote, her partner, travel together throughout North America, Europe and beyond teaching kayaking and canoeing.
This Instructional Programs featuring Karen will include a PowerUp Mini-Symposium and two specialty courses: Kayaking Precision Control and a Paddling Clinic for Women.
PowerUp Symposium Lecture with On Water Demo by Karen: Biomechanics of Paddling
Cost: Free.
Find out how to move beyond just putting your paddle in the water and pulling on it. Learn effective techniques and movements for your body work in a safe, powerful and efficient manner. In this one hour presentation on the Biomechanics of Paddling, we will explore some basic principles of mechanics and how they can be applied to body movements when kayaking. This presentation will occur at waterside and be accompanied with on-water demonstrations.
As ACA Instructors and an ACA Pro Paddlesports School we believe smart paddling with biomechanically sound principals is so important for all paddlers we are offering this session at no charge.
PowerUp Symposium (Session 1): Fine Tuning / Blade Control
Cost: $75 per person.
The first step to move from basic competence to the next level of paddling – Kayaking with Precision is understanding blade control. This initial session of the symposium will reveal the subtleties of blade control in common paddle strokes. Paddle placement, blade angles and stroke timing all affect how your boat performs. In this session we will experiment and apply these techniques to the draw stroke, sculling draw, and stern draw before moving on to more advanced maneuvers, such as the sideslip.
PowerUp Symposium (Session 2): Balance / Bracing and Edging
Cost: $75 per person.
Karen is known for her balance and for the ability to really get her boat on edge: in a kayak or canoe; on flat-water or whitewater. Founded in sound Body Biomechanics, in this session, participants will work on balance drills; learn how to put their boat on edge; incorporate boat tilt into their strokes and maneuvers for better boat performance and; develop bracing techniques to help give support and to recover balance. In this session, participants will develop skills for balance, bracing and edging and skills that are founded in good body biomechanics. Mastering these techniques will allow you to become confident, comfortable and connected to your boat. Come prepared to get wet.
PowerUp Symposium (Session 3): Advanced Strokes and Maneuvers
Cost: $75 per person.
Building on the foundations of Saturday’s sessions (Fine Tuning/Blade Control and Balance, Edging and Bracing) Karen will present and participants will develop needed skills for the more advanced strokes and maneuvers. This morning session will start off with a brief review of the principals of fine blade control, along with some balance drills. From there we will learn how to combine paddle placement and angle together with boat tilt to create and execute graceful maneuvers such as the bow rudder and low/high brace turns underway.
PowerUp Symposium (Session 4): Linking Strokes and Maneuvers (Kayak Dancing)
Cost: $75 per person.
Whatever your motive - whether it is to add precision, efficiency, fluidity, and grace to your paddling or to just impress your family and friends with cool paddling tricks; this session will have you dancing on the water in your kayak. This session is an excellent summation of all the skills developed and refined during the symposium. After a brief review of some of the basic maneuvers, such as the low/high brace turn underway, participants will develop skills to perform these maneuvers backwards and with creative variations such as off-side tilt. By the end of this session you will develop skills to link maneuvers and strokes together so you can be moving forward, backwards, sideways, and spinning without missing a beat. This class is a must for anyone who loves to kayak: it will set your spirits free and you will never want to paddle in a straight line again.
Kayaking Precision and Control
Cost: $100 per person.
So you thought you knew how to paddle? You dont know yak! Spend half a day on the water with Bob Foote and Karen Knight and you will never look at paddling the same again. In this class Bob and Karen will demonstrate, point out and teach the subtleties of blade control, placement, balance and hull effects to allow you to do so much more with so much less effort than you thought possible.
You may very well discover that kayaking can be a ballet on the water. This class is for paddlers with some degree of experience or that have completed Kayaking Basics (or the equivalent) and paddle a touring or sea kayak.
Womens Workshop
Cost: $100 per person.
To be a skillful paddler, you do not need to be a certain height or build, nor do you have to have a lot of muscle mass or upper body strength. Kayaking is a sport about technique, good judgment, and knowledge of your environment. In this all womens workshop, we will work on making your kayak strokes efficient, graceful and fluid and your rescue skills more effective.
If you wondering "Is this class for me?" please do not hesitate to call The River Connection 845-229-0595 or email marshall@the-river-connection.com for more information.
These are all BYOBoat, paddle and PFD programs. If you are in need of equipment arrangements can be made with The River Connection for any equipment that you may need for this program. Space is limited and reservations are required. Please call ahead for additional instructions and clothing requirements, thanks.
Important Notes: Each of these classes will be at The River Connection Boathouse in Hyde Park, NY. Prior to attending the class please check in at The River Connection Showroom, 9 West Market Street, Hyde Park, NY and plan enough time to get your kayak off your vehicle and gear together prior to the class. Classes will begin promptly so plan your arrival time accordingly.
CURRENT OFFERINGS
- Please call to find out when we have scheduled the next Masters Program with Karen Knight and Bob Foote.
Submit a Reservation Request
Learning to kayak safely, effectively and efficiently is best done with the help of a qualified instructor. The lead instructors for River Connection Kayak Instructional Courses are American Canoe Association (ACA) Certified Instructors.
Skills development courses are worth months of just paddling around. After your course, get out and practice your strokes. If you are interested in sightseeing and going places, consider one of our
guided Kayak Tours.
See our Policy Page for additional information.
We have put together a FAQ for our guided kayak tours and instructional programs that answers most quesions about these programs. If you need additional information or make a reservation, please Call our showroom at 845.229.0595.
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Showroom Hours:
Mon, Wed, Thurs: 10am to 5pmFriday & Saturday: 10am to 6pm Tuesday & Sunday: Typically Closed. Please call ahead or schedule an appointment. Open at others times by chance, call ahead or make an appointment. |
Seasonal Savings:
Please check the Showroom or call for savings on select in-stock items.Special savings on many used kayaks & canoes, please call the Showroom for all the details. |
Upcoming Calendar of Events
- Please call to find out when we have scheduled the next Masters Program with Karen Knight and Bob Foote.