Kayak Classes & Instruction
On this page you will find complete descriptions of all of our available paddling classes and special skills workshops. Scroll down the list to read each course description or click on the links below to skip to the particular class you are interested in...
Essentials of Kayak Touring
Coastal Kayak Open Water Skills
Coastal Kayak Rough Water Maneuvering, Towing & Rescues
Towing & Rescues
Rolling Class & Pool Sessions
Traditional Greenland Paddle Making Workshop
Traditional (Greenland style) Paddling Skills
Essentials of River Kayaking
Class Descriptions:
Essentials of Kayak Touring (Basic Strokes & Rescues)
This is a full day dedicated to the safety and enjoyment of kayaking on flat open water. learn boat carries, launching, basic terminology and equipment, basic boat outfitting, safety & rescue of yourself and others, deep water 'wet' exits and re-entry, strokes, turns, bracing and maneuvers, culminating an a short shoreline paddle to put all your new skills into practice.
8 hour class (+/-)
$125.00 including use of kayak & gear
Coastal Kayak Open Water Skills (Strokes & Maneuvers Refinement)
Pre-requisite: Essentials of Kayak Touring or equivalent experience
Take it a step further! Work on perfecting strokes & maneuvers, while developing edging techniques and practicing two-man rescues. On water practice and video analysis, culminating in a paddle trip will allow you to perform your strokes/maneuvers with efficiency, fluidity and control
8 hour class (+/-)
$125.00 including use of boat & gear
Coastal Kayak Rough Water Maneuvering, Towing & Rescues
Pre-requisite: Essentials & Coastal Kayak Open Water Skills classes or equivalent experience
Travel to New Jersey to apply all you have learned in open water while learning on-water navigation and related safety concerns. Conditions not to exceed 2 foot seas, 15 knot winds or to be more than 1 mile from shore.
Location: TBA
6-8 hour class
$135.00 including use of boat & gear
Towing & Rescues
Pre-requisite: Essentials & Coastal kayak Open Water Skills classes or equivalent experience
Designed with the more advanced paddler in mind: practice executing 2-man rescues in 30 seconds, acquire skits necessary to rescue an unconscious or seriously injured paddler, empty and rescue a boat with a lost hatch cover, with or without bulkheads or float bags,a dn implement a rescue when everyone is 'All In'. Learn when & how to use your tow rope or call upon a close contact town for the solution.
Participant must provide his/her own tow rope, boat & gear
3 hour class (+/-)
$45.00
Special Skills Classes:
Rolling Class and Pool Sessions
For the person looking to learn their first roll, develop their off-side roll, or learn a new roll. Broken down step by step. Classes are offered during the cold months as indoor pool sessions (see below for description). In warmer weather classes are conducted on Blue Marsh Lake.
Note: This is NOT your typical 'watch me do my roll and then good luck to you' class so commonly offered in the area. We are CERTIFIED by the ACA and BCU in rolling instruction and you will receive 1-on-1 instruction while you work your way toward the ULTIMATE rescue technique - righting your capsized kayak without ever leaving the safety and comfort of your own boat!
Indoor pool sessions: Focusing on just rolling & rescues. Class minimum must be four people pre-registered prior to the scheduled class. Participate in just one or all eight sessions – you choose!
Call to schedule a private or group class rolling session!
Great, how do I sign up? Complete & submit the registration form (click the link below) with payment, by Wednesday prior to the class date. Arrive at the pool when scheduled, and call The CRANK with any additional questions or concerns (610) 898-1500. All paddlers must wear a PFD while participating. All boats must be skirted, and each paddler is responsible for his/her own personal and safety gear (paddle floats, primary and backup paddles, helmets, tow ropes, bilge pumps, etc.). Also, ALL boats AND gear must be clean and will be inspected before class starts.
Cost: $25 per session, 3 classes for $70.00, 4 for $92.00, 5 for $115 (Class runs 2 hours)
Pool Session Rolling & Rescues Class Registration Form
Traditional Greenland Paddle Making Workshop
This 6-hour workshop takes participants through the steps of making a Greenland paddle. You will becomes familiar with common variations in native paddle designs and learn how to size a paddle, choose your wood and grain properly, make a paddle blank and carve your own Greenland paddle. At the end of the day, you will not only leave with a completed paddle, but also the know-how to make another.
Materials included - participants may be required to supply their own block plane - about $20 in Home Depot
$135.00
Traditional (Greenland-style) Paddling
A fun introduction to traditional Greenland paddles & skills. This course is for the beginner to intermediate paddler who is new to native paddling methods and wants to learn Greenland hunting techniques and tools. Topics will include: Greenland 'lift' and sliding strokes, Inuit rescue techniques, side sculls, balance brace and Greenland rolling to list a few.
Class runs approximately 8 hours
$100.00
Essentials of River Kayaking
Taught on moving water with no more than a Class I difficulty, this class is great for the beginning whitewater enthusiast as well as veterans looking to perfect technique and maneuvering skills. You will learn the characteristics of current, effects of obstacles in the water, strategies of river running, group organization on the river, strokes, maneuvers and rescues.
Class runs approximately 6-8 hours. Must provide your own boat & gear
$100.00