Houston 20s & 30s Fun Stuff

$399 per adult | $199 per child <12 y old | Max 6 participants | Family discounts for 3+ | Flexible dates available

Includes: instruction and premium paddling and camping equipment for each participant and all meals

CLASS INTRO: Do you hate bugs, dirt, sleeping on the hard ground and eating gruel?

It doesn’t have to be that way. With the right planning and gear, kayak-canoe camping can be enjoyed in real comfort, if not luxury. More importantly, kayak-canoe camping offers a unique sensory experience.

At remote campsites there is peace, solitude, and the sights, sounds and smells of nature. This experience allows for a connection to nature that is second to none. In this environment all food tastes like a gourmet meal. Inexpensive wine seems like the finest vintage. Sunrises and sunsets are longer and more profound and intense.

CLASS OVERVIEW: This "Kayak-Canoe Camping Skills Class" is designed for participants to learn the basic skills required to plan and prepare short overnight trips in coastal environments, rivers and near shore lakes. The participants will learn about proper equipment and how it is used, how to select a camp location, food transportation and preparation, and to follow Leave No Trace principals throughout the trip. A meal plan will be developed, and we will cook fresh meals.

CLASS GOALS: By the end of this class, you will become a more confident and skillful paddler and camper. Principles and skills learned in this class are transferable to backpacking, mountaineering, bike touring, and other outdoor travel/primitive adventure circumstances.

Duration: Morning to next day early afternoon.
Paddling Distance: 5 – 10 miles roundtrip.
Paddling Time: 3 - 4 hours each day.
Land based training: 3 - 4 hours each day.

CAMPING: Primitive camping is recommended for a deeper learning experience, but multiple camping options exist including car-camping with shower, restroom, drinking water, etc.

EQUIPMENT: Premium quality kayaking and canoeing, backpacking and camping equipment is included with instruction. A list of what's provided and what you need to bring, itinerary and a course syllabus will be provided once you register.

CLASS TEACHING STYLE: all hands-on deck, "challenged by choice" philosophy. This is a super fun course!

BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Introduction, expectations, and logistics | Personal preparation | Kayak-Canoe camping and touring | The paddling environment | Trip planning and leadership | Equipment | Wilderness repairs and maintenance | Loading and trimming | Getting started | Paddling on large bodies of water | Safety and rescue | Dealing with hazards | Navigation | Making camp | Environmental concerns and practices | Conclusion and wrap up.

REGISTRATION: Minimum 3 students are needed to run the course, and capacity is limited to 6 participants. This is a rain or shine event. This class requires a moderate fitness level and the capacity to bend (body flexibility/touch your toes test). Our sea touring kayaks can accommodate paddlers up to 250 lbs. and 40-inch hip/pants size, but the canoes are roomier.

NOT SURE IF THIS IS RIGHT FOR YOU? Take a look at our pictures:

SWIFT OR SMOOTH, MOVING WATER IS FASCINATING!

TWO-FUN FILLED RIVER DAYS WITH CAMPING/MOTEL OPTION

$399 per person tuition includes instruction and all kayaking gear.
$299 for kids ages 12 or under; (minimum age 8 y old).
Family and teenagers friendly.

Whether by yourself or with the whole family, white water river kayaking is a wonderful way to explore and enjoy the water! Open the door to explore the awesome Texas's rivers including San Marcos, Guadalupe River, Texas Colorado River, Brazos River, Buffalo Bayou and other bonnier, rain dependent rivers and creeks!

Gain the skills and confidence to safely enjoy River Kayaking!

Catch the Eddy - Enroll Now!!

Essentials of River Kayaking Skills Development Course for creek boats, playboats, and whitewater kayaks with skirts. Involves - optional - practicing wet exits and attempting to perform combat rolling.

This course is designed as a 2-day program emphasizing safety, enjoyment, and skill acquisition for controlling and maneuvering a whitewater kayak in river conditions up to Class II-rapids.

This class is for beginners who have never paddled before a whitewater kayak in moving water/whitewater conditions, or for intermediate skills kayakers who need a paddling refresher skills class because they last paddled a long time ago, fewer than 10 times, or have experience paddling only in calm water conditions.

In this river/whitewater kayaking class paddlers can master kayaking on the moving waters. There will be dry-land discussions followed by river paddling each day. We are teaching proper techniques for launching, landing, paddle strokes, and kayak maneuvers on the go.

No previous experience required! No equipment necessary! We bring all the gear needed for the successful completion of this course.

CLASS OUTCOME:

This is a super fun hand-on class. By the end of this class, you will be more skillful, confident, and safer paddler and have increased specific knowledge and appreciation for whitewater/river kayaking. We help plant the seeds for a lifelong hobby, environmental consciousness, and an active lifestyle.

CURRICULUM:

Unseen danger/reading the river and your concerns | Introduction to basic equipment | Launching and landing from a bank | Introduction to how body, boat and blade work together | Basic body mechanics and efficiency of stroke | Forward and reverse paddling | Sweep strokes | Draw strokes | Turning on the move | Communication & Leadership |

CLASS TEACHING STYLE: all hands-on deck, "challenged by choice" philosophy.

Duration: 2 days (9am to 5pm first day, 9am to 1pm second day).
Paddling Time: 3 - 5 hours each day.
Paddling Distance: 4 – 5 miles.

Tent camping & meals sharing, or motel option exists.
San Marcos River near San Marcos, TX

REGISTRATION: Minimum 4 students are needed to run this class, and capacity is limited to 5:1 student to instructor ratio. This is a rain or shine event. A waiver must be signed. This class requires a moderate fitness level and the capacity to bend (body flexibility/touch your toes test). Our whitewater kayaks can accommodate paddlers up to 250 lbs. and 40-inch hip/pants size.

= = =

NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE RIGHT CLASS FOR YOU?
Check our photos to get an idea...

You don't have a kayak or canoe and wish to get started?

Are you looking to buy your first kayak or canoe, or maybe to upgrade to a nicer, better suited boat? I would love to help you out!!

This is a paid coaching session. It can be rescheduled at a time and location that's more convenient to you!

You will learn in a couple of hours more than what you can in months of surfing the web, getting lousy opinions on social media from total strangers, and finding half-trues on YouTube videos. You are paying us for our unbiased professional expertise. You will receive specific information tailored to your needs and circumstances, faster than it can be dugout from reading paddling books and magazines. Let our 25+ years of expertise be your guidance!

= = =

Class Fee: $200 per person. Usually 3-4 students.

THIS EVENT IS A PLACEHOLDER!

Contact Constantin at 832-686-3231 to discuss your kayaking & canoeing goals and fantasies, to receive a tailored recommendation from a paddle sport professional, and to set up a meeting by the water's edge for your demo day.

Private event, by appointment only!

Reply with your phone number, so I can give you a call to get a ball-park idea of what gear would best fit your needs.

= = =

Based on your request, we can bring out 10+ kayaks and canoes for you to sit-in, compare and contrast features, and take out on water for a spin and drive test.

We have newly restored kayaks and canoes, including recreational, sea touring and whitewater kayaks in rotomolded plastic, blow molded HTP, and fiberglass and composite materials from Prijon and Eskimo (made in Germany), Pyranha, Valley, NDK, and P & H (made in England), Dagger, Old Town, Perception, and Wilderness Systems (made in USA), Current Designs, Riot, and Boreal Designs (made in Canada), and Mohawk canoes.

The cost for this class is $200. If you find a boat that's a good fit and you like, the cost of the class is applied towards the cost of the boat.

This is a family friendly event, kids are welcome to attend, and we guarantee that besides having fun, everyone will learn something new.

You can take several short paddling trips to get a feel for several different kayak models and their comfort level and handling abilities. We will discuss, analyze, compare and contrast features, designs in building, material quality, etc.

= = =

Bring with you a half-gallon drinking water and a snack. Dress in synthetic clothing that dry quickly. Large brim hat and longs sleeves can protect you from sunburns. Your shoes will get wet. Bring with you and leave in the car a towel and a complete set of clothing to change if needed for a comfortable ride home.

= = =

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Constantin
Call/Text: 832-686-3231

PS: Constantin is a certified ACA Level-3 Coastal Kayaking Instructor, ACA Level-3 River Kayaking Instructor, and ACA Level-3 River and Lake Canoe Instructor for Solo and Tandem canoes, and ACA Trip Leader and certified NOLS & Sierra International Wilderness First Aid among other certifications.