Welcome to Sea Sherpa Kayak: Tours, Instruction and Expeditions

COURSE AND TOUR DESCRIPTIONS – Note: You must be able to swim to take any programs with Sea Sherpa Kayak – Scroll down to view all descriptions LEVEL 1-3 COURSES AND TOURS These courses and tours are structured to build on each other progressively. After taking a course, you can take the tour of the same level to “cement in” that skill set.
photo by Gerry Polinsky	FLATWATER BASICS LEVEL 1 COURSE (L1C) - Prerequisites: No paddle experience necessary! - Length: 3.5 hours - Cost: $80 - Description: This is where it all begins. This is the novice paddlers introduction to basic strokes, the wet exit, how to launch/land a kayak with grace, boat and paddle anatomy, and the pre-paddle, safety checklist. This course is presented on quiet and protected waters. You will leave ready to head out on your own adventures. Fun will be had by all – just add water.
photo by Gerry Polinsky	FLATWATER BASICS LEVEL 1 TOUR (L1T) -Prerequisites: No paddle experience necessary! - Length: 3.5 hours - Cost: $80 - Description: Hold on tight – this is the Lilly Dipper’s express. After a brief introduction to basic safety procedures and a couple of handy strokes, we’ll head out to see the sights. You can work on your strokes (with feedback if so desired) or just check out the view. These tours are presented on quiet, protected waters that best show off all this area’s famously beautiful lakes and coves. Check the schedule for detailed location descriptions.
photo by Ron Gautreau	BUMPS & CURRENT LEVEL 2 COURSE (L2C) - Prerequisites: Level 1 course and/or tour or equivalent (contact Sea Sherpa). Must be able to wet exit. - Length: 7 hours - Cost: $140 - Description: Bring it to the next level. This course has three components: Refine the basics, step up to more advanced strokes (hanging draws, bow rudders, low brace turns, etc…) and an introduction to self and assisted rescues. We will also focus on good, powerful stroke technique, edging control (and bracing) and performing the wet exit with a sprayskirt. This course is designed for the conditions commonly to the Long Island Sound. This is your gateway to big adventure.
photo by Gerry Polinsky	BUMPS & CURRENT LEVEL 2 TOUR (L2T) - Prerequisites: Level 2 course or equivalent (contact Sea Sherpa). Must be able to wet exit with a sprayskirt, paddle up to 8 miles, handle a boat in winds up to 10 knots and seas to 1.5 feet. - Length: 7 hours - Cost: $140 - Description: A tour with some teeth. Designed to allow you the opportunity to play in the semi protected waters of the Long Island Sound with it’s beautiful coves and rocky islands. You’ll get a good taste of tidal currents and bumpy water. This tours allows you to use your strokes in modest conditions and feedback is available to those that desire it.
photo by Carl Tjerandsen	OCEAN WIND & WAVES LEVEL 3 COURSE (L3C) - Prerequisites: Level 2 course and/or Tour or equivalent (contact Sea Sherpa). Must be able to perform the skills listed in Level 2 Tour - Length: 7 hours - Cost: $140 - Description: This course is “The Enable-izer”. We’ll focus on advanced strokes, technique and rescues needed for kayaking in open, unprotected waters. High and low braces, linking strokes, strokes and rescues in conditions and towing. Lunch time, dry-land presentations will include navigation and fluid dynamics: This course is held in the open waters of the Long Island Sound or along the exposed, rocky coast of Rhode Island. Level 3 is all about grace under fire and is meant to prepare you for being a dependable adventure partner.
photo by Carl Tjerandsen	OCEAN WIND & WAVES LEVEL 3 TOUR (L3T) - Prerequisites: Level 3 course or equivalent (contact Sea Sherpa). Must be able to brace, wet exit with a sprayskirt, paddle up to 12.5 miles, handle a boat in winds up to 15 knots and seas to 2.5 feet and have experience with modest surf landings. - Length: 7 hours - Cost: $140 - Description: This tour is your opportunity to explore the unique beauty of the open waters. Launching from a protected area will allow you to firm up your sea legs and than we’ll head out for some playtime in conditions. The day’s venue will be picked based on tide and weather conditions to assure us the best ride. Rocky, rugged coastline, offshore reefs and islands, transition zones found at the mouth of bays and the Sound…all offer challenging conditions and fantastic scenery. Feedback is available for those that desire it.
SPECIALTY COURSES These courses are intended to introduce and strengthen particular skill sets. We add to this list frequently so keep an eye on the calendar for new offerings.
	AMERICAN CANOE ASSOCIATION LEVEL 1–4 SKILLS ASSESMENTS www.americancanoe.org - ACA Skills Assessments are formal awards based on established criteria. These are intended to reflect the ability of a student to perform, with competency and grace at a level appropriate to the particular award. These are universal awards and are known internationally to reflect a particular level of ability. The training that goes into preparing for any given award is the best way to assure proficiency at that level and to “cement” that skill set. These are the American version of the British Canoe Association (BCU) star system and we assess with similar rigorous expectations. Students that pass a given assessment will have their record registered with the ACA. Skill assessments are also intended as stepping-stones in expedition training and are a great track toward instructor certification. Level 1 and 2 assessments can be combined (if taken in one day) for a cost of $150. COASTAL KAYAKING, LEVEL 1 SKILLS ASSESSMENT (ACA1) - Prerequisites: Sea Sherpa Kayak Level 1 Course or equivalent (contact Sea Sherpa) w/adequate practice time - Cost: $90 - Length: 3.5 hours - Description: For a complete description click here. COASTAL KAYAKING, LEVEL 2 SKILLS ASSESSMENT (ACA2) - Prerequisites: Sea Sherpa Kayak Level 2 Course or equivalent (contact Sea Sherpa) w/adequate practice time - Cost: $90 - Length: 3.5 hours - Description: For a complete description click here. COASTAL KAYAKING, LEVEL 3 SKILLS ASSESSMENT (ACA3) - Prerequisites: Sea Sherpa Kayak Level 2 Course and Tour or equivalent (contact Sea Sherpa) w/adequate practice time - Cost: $150 - Length: 7 hours - Description: For a complete description click here. COASTAL KAYAKING, LEVEL 4 SKILLS ASSESSMENT (ACA4) - Prerequisites: Sea Sherpa Kayak Level 3 Course or equivalent (contact Sea Sherpa) w/adequate practice time - Cost: $150 - Length: 7 hours - Description: For a complete description click here.
photo by Gerry Polinsky	WOMEN'S ONLY LEVEL 1 COURSE (WOL1C) - Prerequisites: must be female (sorry guys) - Cost: $80 - Description: This new series of events are run by women, for women. Free of the shackles of testosterone, the pace is more relaxed and the program is less structured. You will enter a competition free zone. This Level 1 Course will include the core material from a standard Level 1 with the added bonus of a relaxing tour of your beautiful surroundings. As such, these courses will be offered in locations that highlight amazing views.
	POOL SESSIONS (PS) - Prerequisites: Some paddle experience. Must either know how to wet exit or take a pool course which includes that material. - Length: 3 hours - Costs: $25 for Open Pool Session (3 hours) $50 for 1 hour course (rolling) $90 for 2 hour course (rolling or rescues) $10 boat and gear rental - Description: Don’t spend the winter paddling between your refrigerator and couch. These sessions usually run between mid December and the end of March. You can either work on your own (open pool) doing rescues and rolls or take classes which cover that material. The courses are very small (1:2 at most), very focused and are an awesome workout as well. This is the best way to hit the water running in the spring.
photo by Ron Gautreau	ROLLING CLASS (RC) - Prerequisites: Level 2 Course or equivalent. Contact Sea Sherpa - Length: 3.5 hours - Cost: $80 - Description: This is the crown jewel of self rescues and the ultimate in self reliance on the water. Kayak rolling was created by the Eskimos (as were kayaks) as swimming was never an option (cold water). We will focus on the Lay-Back Roll which is considered the most achievable and reliable roll of all. NOTE: Rolling a kayak can be a difficult skill to come by. Some get it right away, for others it takes years and, for a few, it is just not do-able. Whether you learn to roll or not, working on the skill will help make you a better and safer paddler.
SPECIALTY TOURS These tours feature beautiful and interesting locations on the Connecticut River and along the shoreline. While some focus on scenery, others highlight events such as migratory bird swarms, the setting sun and rising moon and the changing colors of fall. We add to this list frequently so please keep an eye on the calendar.
photo by Gerry Polinsky	MOON-LITE PADDLES (MLPT) Prerequisites: Level 1 Course or equivalent (contact Sea Sherpa). - Cost: $80 - Length: 3.5 hours - Description: What else can we say? Water takes on a magical dimension after dark. We’ll launch before sunset to fully experience the incredible transition that happens while most folks finish dinner and get in their jammys. Quite coves with great wildlife and views will be ours to explore. This is our only course that cancels for rain and we will reschedule for the following evening.
	THE COLORS OF FALL (COFT) - Prerequisites: No paddle experience necessary! - Cost: $80 - Length: 3.5 hours - Description: Don’t let the end of summer force you into an early hibernation. This area is famous for awesome foliage. The water’s still warm and the power boaters are dry-docked during some of the best paddle weather. Sit back and relax because we are taking the slow boat to leaf peeping.
photo by Gerry Polinsky	ECO TOUR (ET) - Prerequisites: No paddle experience necessary! - Cost: $80 - We are so proud to be offering these new specialty tours. Focused on the unique salt marsh environment found in the lower Connecticut River, Eco Tours will allow you into a world accessible only by kayak. Our kayak guide will be joined by a knowledgeable environmental interpretive guide. That's a 'two bird with one stone' situation (no pun intended). We'll paddle these pristine, internationally renowned coves where the salty waters of the Long Island Sound flush in and out of the river with the tides creating a rare and fascinating eco-system.
photo by Gerry Polinsky	SWALLOW SWARM (SST) - Prerequisites: No paddle experience necessary! - Cost: $80 - Description: In the late summer/early fall, flocks of swallows skim just over the marsh and water fattening up on bugs to prepare for their migration. Focused on the unique salt marsh environment found in the lower Connecticut River, Swallow Swarm Tours will allow you into a world accessible only by kayak. We'll paddle these pristine, internationally renowned coves where the salty waters of the Long Island Sound flush in and out of the river with the tides creating a rare and fascinating eco-system.