Rhode Island Ocean Skills Week

Join us in September for 6 days focused on paddling in tides, current, and rock gardens, navigating open-water crossings, and more in the Rhode Island Ocean Skills Week!

Dates: May 14-21, 2022 (6 days paddling )
Coaching, meals & bed or inflatable bed in shared room $1,495.00 or $995 with own lodging

Boats: Bring your own; send yours with us ($50 transportation fee one way, $100 round trip).

What is included: Orientation, 6 days of coaching, lodging breakfasts and lunches Sunday through Friday.  We will eat out at a local restaurant Saturday night and 2 other nights which is not included in the trip cost.  If the group chooses to do the crossing to Block island, the cost of the ferry is not included (approximately $28.00 for kayak and person).

Venues:

Narrow River

This is the perfect place for an Introduction to salty water paddling. We’ll explore boat control in current–ideal preparation for the tidal currents to come–as well as rock gardening where the river ends at the bay. The currents at the mouth of Narrow River let us practice ferry gliding in a very compact space. We can then land and take a look at the surf. Narragansett Bay is open to the ocean and usually gets a nice swell, with waves breaking at the mouth of the Narrow River. This area allows for good intro to surf sessions and nice waves for more experienced sea kayak surfers. A few rescues in the surf will get us warmed up for a trip along the rocky shoreline. Whale Rock is located about a mile across the bay. It’s a small, rocky Island with the base of an old lighthouse that was washed away. It gives us a fun place to do a BCU 4 Star level rock landing and take a break.

Fishers Island Day

Ever wanted to paddle in a tidal race, but didn’t know how to get started? Tidal races and overfalls are unique natural phenomena created when ocean currents are squeezed by constricting land masses and/or shallow depths, causing increased current and turbulent water surfaces similar to paddling on a very large river in sea kayaks. This is a challenging and fun place to apply and sharpen existing skills as well as learn new ones.

Race Point is on the NE end of the The Race, a large tidal race at the mouth of the Long Island Sound. After landing at Race Point and having a break, we will paddle out to Race Point Light and experience paddling in moving water. This is an ideal location, as the lighthouse gives us a large eddy to rest in and to set up each session.

Block Island Crossing

On this open water journey, we will encounter various conditions created by the tides, currents and winds. We will have opportunities to surf small waves, handle following and beam seas, work on navigation (in advance and en route), play in rock gardens and more. The currents will help us practice open water ferry gliding and navigation. You don’t want to miss the Island. After a snack and drink at a pub, the return trip will be by the Block Island Ferry. The price of the ferry is not included in the program fee.

Surf Day

Matunick Beach is the premier kayak surf beach on the RI coast. It has a variety of surf spots along a half mile section of beach. A point break and an offshore reef break present excellent skill development opportunities.  Surfing gives more thrills per minute than any other form of sea kayaking.

British Canoeing Sea Kayak Award Assessment (formerly 3 Star Sea Award)

This assessment is an option for our third day. The BCU 3 star sea award looks at a paddler’s ability to be a competent and contributing member of a group in coastal waters and conditions. It is a good opportunity to hone and focus on the skills needed to paddle in a group in wind and waves. Follow this link for specifics: 3 star sea syllabus