Nature Nerds of Austin

The Joy of Kayaking is a super-fun 10-week kayak coaching program for lifetime benefits for adults.

Usually, classes are in person once a week on Saturday morning between 8am to 11am but can be scheduled to other days/times to match your availability. We offer this coaching program only during Spring and Fall season when weather is consistently nicer (not hot). The exact dates to be set together.

For the first half of the program, we paddle in Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Cypress, and other locations. The second half of the program, as our skills progress and we gain more confidence, will move to other venues and more challenging paddling environments (moving water, creeks and bayous, open water) such as Lake Charlotte, Buffalo Bayou, Galveston Bay, etc.

All premium quality paddling equipment and ACA certified coaching is included.

We will paddle in a variety of watercrafts including sea kayaks, whitewater kayaks, recreational kayaks, tandem canoes, and more, to master a variety of skills and competencies.

Let’s talk! We tailor this coaching program to the needs and wants of our patrons! If interested in a workout, we can do that. If mindfulness, Yoga or wilderness sightseeing is your cup of tea, we can do that too.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

It's intuitive to start paddling, but there are more than forward strokes. What would you do if an unintended capsize happens? Do you know how to get back in your kayak or are you sure you can help a friend?

In this 10-week coaching program, we will introduce students to the fundamentals of kayaking and how to have a safe and enjoyable time on the water. We teach proper paddling strokes and maneuvering techniques, including how to go zigzag, forward, reverse, sideways, spins/pirouettes, and how to execute self-rescues and assisted rescues. We will also check on working knowledge on kayaking equipment, understand the dangers of kayaking and how to avoid trouble, cold water shock, hypothermia and hyperthermia, environmental issues, group awareness, leadership skills, and much more.

This is a super fun hand-on class, and students will leave with great learning, improved self-confidence, new skills, and abilities, and make new friends. We plant the seeds for a lifelong hobby, environmental consciousness, and an active lifestyle. There will be options to attend a kayak race and a car camping trip.

Minimum 5 students are necessary to run this program.

Each Session Time Commitment: 3-4 hours.
Paddling Time: 2-3 hours.
Paddling Distance: 4-6 miles.
Inclusions
Accommodation - Luxury
Awesome destination. Safe adventure. High chance of witnessing wildlife. Small group size. Family and beginners friendly. Local expertise. Experienced trip leader. Friendly, professional instructor.
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PERSONALIZED ACA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTION PROVIDED.
LUXURY PADDLING EQUIPMENT INCLUDES:
Sit-In Touring Kayak (solo or tandem), Adjustable Lifejacket, Lightweight Paddle, Dry Bag (small size, for car keys, phone, wallet, etc.).
We will start with on-land instruction and safety briefing, adjust the gear to your stature, and be on the water soon thereafter.
This activity requires a moderate fitness level. Our sit-in touring kayaks come in sizes and can accommodate paddlers up to 250 lbs. and 42-inch hip/pants size. Please let us know your approximate height and weight for us to bring you the correct size kayak and life jacket.
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ACCESS TO GROUP EQUIPMENT INCLUDES:
VHF Marine Radio, Paddle Float, Bilge Pump, First Aid Kit, Tow Belt, Lights
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WHAT TO BRING AND HOW TO DRESS
Bring several 33 oz. / 1L water bottles and energy drinks to take with you in the kayak; a granola bar and a small thermos would be nice. Dehydration and heat stroke are of the biggest concerns being on the water this time of the year. Leave a cold-water bottle and a snack in the car for you to have ready at the end of the event when you will probably be hungry, hot, tired but happy!
Bring with you but leave in the car a full set of dry clothing into change at the end, should that be needed, and a large towel to cover your car seat for a comfortable ride home.
We will take meaningful precautions to avoid unintended capsizes, however, small crafts are unstable and water dripping off the paddle into your lap is possible. Dress for immersion by dressing with clothes made of synthetic materials that are comfortable and dry out quickly. Avoid any cotton clothing. Dress with a long sleeve shirt and long pants to avoid insects and sunburns. For exposed skin, bring sunscreen and plan to apply often. Your feet will get wet up to knee. Water shoes, closed toed sandals, or old sneakers are a great kayaking choice. Crocs, flip-flops, hiking boots and rain boots are not good options. Bring a large brim hat with under chin strap and sunglasses. Bring paddling gloves or cycling/workout gloves to prevent blisters and sunburn.
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Paddling is a wonderful, lifelong, low-impact, human-powered sport. It's a form of soul therapy, an awesome mode of transportation to remote destinations, and a stealthy way to intimately experience wildlife and nature. Hiring us, you will learn about equipment, proper strokes and correct paddling technique, basics of water safety, trip planning, and how to have an enjoyable time on the water. This is a great way to build a new skill set or improve upon what you already know about paddling. Thank you for signing up!
WE WANT YOU TO HAVE A FUN LEARNING EXPERIENCE WHILE BEING COMFORTABLE AND SAFE!

This is both online and in person (Austin only).

You DO need to visit this site to register -- https://www.meetup.com/science-art-ai-and-the-human-experience/events/311695939/?eventOrigin=group_upcoming_events

Culture, AI, Science, and the Human Experience (CASHE) has this to say...

From the first flicker of fire to the rise of intelligent circuits, humanity’s story is written in energy, life, and pattern. We are creatures of cells that learned to harness flame, build machines, and eventually create systems that reflect our own intelligence.

In this event, we’ll explore how fire, cells, and circuits each mark a turning point in the evolution of agency — from the spontaneous organization of matter into life, to the human mastery of energy, to the emergence of artificial systems that may soon rival our own creativity. The event will feature a presentation followed by open discussion, offering space for reflection, questions, and new perspectives.

We’ll look at how these domains connect:

• How fire transformed survival into civilization
• How cells encode the self-organizing principles of life and learning
• How circuits allowed humanity to harness the power of electricity — and eventually the power of abstract logic itself
• And how synthetic biology may soon close the loop — circuits designing new cells

At its heart, this is a story about what it means to be human in an age where life, energy, and intelligence are merging again — and how understanding that story might help us navigate what comes next.

Nature Nerds of Austin has this to say...

We'll be participating from the Diogenes makerspace in N. Austin.

We know that nature is good for us, but do we really know the details of how and why? Join us to explore Nalle Bunny Run Wildlife Preserve, dive into the psychology and neuroscience behind how our nervous system is intricately connected to the outdoors, and learn everyday tools for your mental health.

REGISTRATION
$35 + fees

REGISTER and see more details on the Hill Country Conservancy Eventbrite page:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nature-immersion-mental-health-workshop-at-bunny-run-wildlife-preserve-tickets-1470199047929