Event Description:
Join Canoe Kayak New Brunswick at the 2020 West Isles Sea Kayak Symposium from Sept. 25th-27th, 2020 on Grand Manan Island. This year's symposium will feature paddling opportunities on some of New Brunswick's most beautiful waters. We've lined up world-class coaches to deliver clinics for all skill levels, from introductory through to advanced. Clinics include:
-
Journey the West Isles
-
Intro to Bracing and Rolling
-
Intro to Sea Kayaking
-
Safety and Rescues
-
Incident Management
-
Coastal Play Skills
-
Tidal Play Skills
-
Lumpy water play
Location:
The 2020 West Isles Sea Kayak Symposium will be held on Grand Manan, New Brunswick. Grand Manan is accessible by toll ferry at Blacks Harbour, NB. The ferry is located at Exit 60 off NB Highway #1.
Please be sure to book your passage on the ferry by clicking here!
Logistics:
Participants will attend one session per day (Saturday and Sunday). Session registration must be done in advance - at the time of online registration. So, if you want to guarantee your spot in a certain session, sign up early!
Schedule:
Friday September 25th:
-
4:00pm - Registration and a meet and greet
Saturday September 26th:
-
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Sessions will begin with a Pre-Paddle Brief
-
6:30 p.m. - Session with Coaches - Expedition Planning Session
-
6:30 p.m. - Talk with Kayak Hipster - Social Media, Gear and Experiences.
Sunday September 27th:
-
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Sessions begin with a Pre-Paddle Brief
-
4:00 p.m. - Symposium wrap-up
-
7:15 p.m. - Last Ferry off the Island
Skill Assessment:
Before registering for a session, we ask that each paddler review the Skills Self Assessment Matrix below to see which sessions are right for you. Assess yourself honestly to ensure that your skill level matches the session you are considering participating in. Don't worry though, whether you're a relatively new paddler or a seasoned salty dog, we have sessions and coaches to fit!
-
Introductory: You are new to kayaking and may not be comfortable in a sea kayak yet. You are unsure if you're comfortable upside down. You may have only been in a kayak a couple times or this may be your first time. Please note that the introductory level pertains to those learning new skills as well. Hence, you may be very experienced but have never learned a particular skill.
-
Intermediate: You are able to self rescue in dynamic conditions fairly comfortably and quickly. In addition, you may be able to roll. You are seeking more dynamic and lumpy water and you are ready to move beyond introductory skills. Being upside down in moderate waves, tide races, current and surf is something you want to start to learn. This may require extra gear.
-
Advanced: You've been in dynamic water (2m+ seas, 3kts+ currents, tide races..etc) before and you want to have fun and build skills in these conditions. You don't mind being in dynamic water in or around obstacles. You have a decent roll, can self rescue quickly, and can competently assist another paddler. This level will require extra gear.
More Detailed Session Information:
Now that you've assessed your skills you're probably looking for more information about each session! You can find more information about individual sessions by clicking the link to the sessions page below!
Interested in becoming a sponsor?
Check out how to become a sponsor of the West Isles Sea Kayak Symposium below