Volunteer sea kayak recovery and rescue - INTERMEDIATE

***Weather and water quality dependent: event is subject to be changed or moved depending on conditions leading up to training***

Our program is run entirely by volunteers, so please be kind and understanding! We take time out of our own schedules to do this.

Please sign up for up to one training/practice per week. Let others have fun! The host will move you to "Not going" if you sign up for more than one training per week. When you sign up, you'll be placed on a waitlist until the host makes sure you meet the qualifications.

Recovery and Rescue Training

Join us for rescue practice! If you don't feel comfortable swimming in the Hudson, please don't RSVP. Bring a towel AND change of clothes. Only RSVP if you can stay until the finish time.

You should have completed the Novice training and have basic control of a sea kayak. We will go over recovery and rescue techniques, including bracing and sculling, assisted and self rescues. You will learn to stay upright, swim, then be rescued or practice self rescue. If you have completed this training before and have a self rescue, you might grab a partner to self practice (subject to host approval).

PREREQUISITES TO RSVP

1. Attended at least 2 sea kayak trainings in 2026
   AND
2. volunteered AT LEAST 3 shifts in 2026 during our public embayments
   AND
3. You can prepare all your equipment in 10 - 15 minutes with little or no assistance. You have basic control of a sea kayak.

COME PREPARED

• Appropriate quick drying clothing. Expect to be submerged (neoprene recommended)
• Change of clothes
• Towel
• Water in a reusable bottle

TIMELINE

• 6:00 PM - Meet at HCCB. Prepare equipment
• 6:10 PM - Hard cutoff to arrive. If you do not make it by this time you will not be able to join
• 6:30 PM - Safety briefing, move boats to beach
• 6:45 PM - Practice in the cove
• 8:15 PM - Return to boathouse
• 8:30 PM - Clean and put away equipment
• 9:30 PM - Training ends

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HCCB is completely volunteer run. Our guides generously take time out of their busy schedules to run trips and trainings. If you RSVP yes, please consider this a commitment to attend. If you cancel at the last minute or no-show, you take a spot away from someone else or prevent a trip/training from happening.
We understand that life happens, so if you must cancel close to the start of a trip or training, please change your RSVP to “Not Going” and message the host(s) or comment in the chat. Here are our guidelines about cancelations and no-shows:

• For a trip, please cancel prior to 8:00 PM the day before the trip.
• For a training, please cancel at least 6 hours before the training.
• If you do not cancel before the cancelation cutoff time, you will be marked as a no-show.
• Hosts reserve the right to deprioritize you on waitlists after the second no-show of the year.