COURSE INFORMATION 

This course is designed for you to go from zero to hero.

Suitable for those who have no prior experience with Kayaking. In this intensive 5-day course your determination will be put to the test and you shall emerge stronger, hungrier and a well rounded paddler. 

Where

The quaint Papanashini estuary will be the base for 5 days. For the first three days, you will learn the basics like river safety, paddling strokes, and self-rescue and move onto learning the mechanics of the eskimo roll. Along the way you will have the chance to explore the estuary and visit the mangroves. On day 4 you will run a class 2 river section. Here you will experience the true beauty of a wild jungle river and get a taste of adrenaline rush that is part and parcel of kayaking. With the experience gained so far, on day 5 you will paddle in the sea. You will practice some advance techniques like bracing to help you control your boat in a dynamic environment. The course will end with a visit to a secluded island off the coast of Udupi and indulge in an inimitable experience.

Who is it for?

The course is designed for anyone with an insatiable spirit of exploration. A basic level of fitness is expected as participants will spend upto 6 hours a day in the water. Swimming isn’t a necessary skill to have as participants will be provided with a PFD that has to be worn at all times in the water.

DAY 1 (6 HOURS)

The first day of the course is meant to get you familiar with the basics of the sport. You will be taught and made to practice the following skills in a section of a river that is fairly still . 

• River safety protocol

• Swimming in the river

• Gear familiarity and boat control

• Basic paddling strokes, forward, backward, side and turn strokes

• Self rescue and eskimo rescue technique

DAY 2 (6 HOURS)

The day begins with a long paddle, after which you will start progressing towards techniques of self rescue. This will begin with orienting yourself to an upside-down underwater world. Once comfortable, the wet exit will be discussed and practiced. This will set you up for learning the eskimo roll which you will continue to learn and practice through the rest of the course.

DAY 3 (6 HOURS)

The focus today will to learn how to roll and to improve basic skills with boat control and paddle strokes as well as to introduce the Eskimo roll. Your time on the water will be equally divided between working on the roll and your core paddling technique. In between the dunking underwater sessions you will be made to practice advance boat control skills such as bracing and mastering edge control. 

The eskimo roll is one of the most crucial moves that a kayaker must master. A solid eskimo roll will accelerate your progress and help you gain confidence when kayaking challenging waters.  We will gradually delve into the mysterious dimensions of the eskimo roll, analyzing step by step the components that make up this complex move. After working on your hip snap, you will be able to try your roll assisted by an instructor, and finally on your own. 

Special attention is given to the development of comfort while upside down and under the water - one of the essential factors of success in a roll. Different variations of the roll will be demonstrated to you throughout the course.

DAY 4 (6 HOURS)

Running a river is an awesome experience. In order to do that we require a large amount of different skills , from the moment we start planning a trip at home, till the time we tie up the boats on the car after a great day on the river. This course was meant to provide you with all those skills, building a solid preparation to kayak rivers.

Focus for the day is River Reading and Rescue. Learning these techniques will help you make better decisions on the river and also become confident of facing bigger rapids. 

RIVER READING

The more we progress in river running the more is crucial to take fast decision while choosing a line or when placing our blade into the water. To do that is essential to comprehend the flow of the water, in every aspect, and to anticipate the features of the river. This is river reading. This is what we will practice on this course, from the shore, while scouting, and form the boat, while paddling.

RIVER RESCUE

Kayaking is a relatively safe sport, but while in the river many things can happen, and we need to know what to do. You will learn how to rescue yourself and how to rescue others, according to the most efficient rescue techniques hat are preferred in the river. We will teach you how how to decide what to do in case of an emergency on the river. You will swim rapids, learn how to use a throw bag, how to help other kayakers form the shore, and much more. 

RIVER RUNNING STRATEGIES

How do we run the river? What should we know before putting in? How do we organize our group? What is the plan of action? How we will communicate while paddling? What do we do in case of an emergency? In this course we will spend time reasoning on how we make sure we enter the river as a group that is aware and self sufficient, proactive and ready for the challenges ahead.

Sounds like a theory session ?  No it's not, all the above is going to be taught to you in a real white-water environment. Not only will be you be nailing the lines of your choosing you will be taught to negotiate them without a kayak. Yes, you read it right, without a kayak. Once you have swum a few rapids,  the fear of white-water will be out of your system and in no time you will styling class II- II+ rapids like a pro. 

DAY 5 (6 HOURS)

With the experience gained so far, on day 5 you will paddle along the coast. During your time along the coast, you will learn about ways in which water and wind work together to create a dynamic system. You will get to practice advanced boat handling techniques like bracing, ruddering and even be encouraged to give the roll a go!

The course ends with a paddle to an island close to shore giving you incredible views of the Udupi coastline.

DAY 6 :

For those of you looking to get your skills assessed and certified by an America Canoe Association certified kayaker, then Day 6 will be your day. We will also be happy to arrange a photowalk or a day trip for you on this day. These will come at an additional cost.

Where to stay

Udupi :

Hotel Karthik Estate NH66, Ambalpady Junction, Udupi - 576103 Ph : +91 7349744332 Additional Info : A ten minute drive to our base, restaurants, a bakery, a supermarket, and a medical shop are within walking distance. Udupi’s famous Machlee restaurant is a 5 minute walk from here.

Hotel Kediyoor Shiribeedu Towers, Near Service Busstand, Brahmagiri, Udupi - 576101 Ph : 0820-250822 Additional Info : Centrally located in Udupi, Kediyoor is a household name. Its a twenty minute drive to our base. There is a busstand close by with regular buses to Katapadi.

Mattu :

Zone 51 Lata Niwas, Padukere - 574118 Ph :095358 29962 Additional Info : A friendly place on the picturesque Padukere stretch(sandwiched between the Arabian Sea and Papanashini river. They have tented accomodations and dorm style beddings.Home cooked food - think fish, brown rice and buttermilk, is an added perk. It is preferable that you have your own vehicle. Its a 15 minute drive to our base. Call for details.

COST : RS. 20000/PERSON.

Break-up of the cost

• Kayak + Equipment ( Spray Deck + PFD + Helmet + Paddle) rental. Rs. 2000 (per day)

• Kayak instruction: Rs. 2000 (per day)

*Food, Accommodation and Local Transport charged as per actuals.  

PLEASE NOTE (IMPORTANT)

• Kayaking is an extremely instructor intensive activity and therefore to ensure safety of the participants we have a small ratio of only 3/4 students per instructors

• Our Students are given the top quality equipment which has been certified for use on any grade of water.

• Our courses are based on the syllabus as prescribed by the ACA (American Canoe Association)

• Transport to and from the city can be arranged upon request at an extra cost

WHAT TO BRING ?

• A change of clothes to get wet in

• Water resistant shoes or sandals. Absolutely no slip-ons or floaters (Very important). The Sandals/shoes that you bring should not come off easily when swimming or floating in the rapids.

• Sun Screen

• Medicines for any existing ailments of allergies

• Sleeping bags (optional, if you don't like using hotel bed sheets)

COURSE REGISTRATION

1. Complete the registration form & waiver  : http://goodwave.in/waiver

2. Use the following button to make the payment. If this payment method doesn't work for you please transfer the amount of Rs. 20,000 to bank account details mentioned in point 3.

Note that Goodwave Adventures is a brand that is owned by Madras Fun Tools (www.madrasfuntools.com)