Rendezvous 2018 White Squall

White Squall Sessions

HOW TO SIGN-UP

  • Prior to Rendezvous: Send your top three choices of sessions before June 2 to Wolfram Esser  (just complete and submit the Response Form at the bottom of the listing).
  • At Rendezvous: You can wait and select from the remaining unfilled White Squall sessions, if any, on Friday evening after registration. The risk of waiting is that all of your preferred White Squall sessions may be full.

THE FINE PRINT

  • There will be a total of 8 sessions offered. We’ll offer the 8 most requested ones. Times may change.
  • You will likely end up with one, or two, of your selected White Squall sessions.
  • The session organizers will make every reasonable effort to allocate the White Squall sessions fairly.
Session Time What we will cover

1.
Risk Management Primer
(On-Land)

8:30
to 10:00 am

Getting outside and on the water involves risk, but so does breathing! We paddle for some pretty obvious and fine benefits. This session will look at current risk management theory and practice as it applies to sea kayaking on the Great Lakes. We’ll introduce proven models and codes of practice that will give you the confidence to get out there and to manage risk once out on the water.

2.
Precision Flatwater
Kayak Turns

  8:30 am  to 10:00 am

Timing, approach and co-ordination of strokes to create graceful, strong turns on flat water will be the focus of this session. We’ll spend time on refining your turns to make them intentional and graceful.
 3.
Stand Up Paddle Boarding for Sea Kayaking – Beginner		  10:30 am
to 12:00 pm

It’s by embracing the unfamiliar that we get good at what we’re used to. Paddling is paddling after all and in that spirit, using SUP’s, we’ll introduce you to the world of Stand Up Boarding and how that can develop more balance, power and efficiency in your kayak strokes. The boards are fast teachers and a lot of fun!
 4.
Powering Forward		  10:30 am
to 12:00 pm

The forward stroke is at once both the simplest and most complex paddling stroke.  You can spend your entire paddling life working on making it more efficient. What we want to do is introduce you to some simple benchmarks for improvement and work with you on developing quiet, effective propulsion.
 5.
Bombproof
Re-entries		  10:30 am
to 12:00 pm

We want to emphasize simplicity in self and assisted re-entries. When things are truly going bad, it’s no time for fancy tricks where valuable energy can be lost. Safe, effective re-entry is all about getting it right the first time, and goes well beyond just getting the bum in the seat.
 6.
Managing Wind & Waves		  1:30 pm
to 2:30 pm

Working up and downwind requires different strokes, timing and cadence. It’s akin to mogul skiing where you try to use the terrain to your advantage and now we’re adding the forces of the wind to effect better movement.
 7.
Towing Tricks & Tips		  1:00 pm
to 2:30 pm		  Contact and line towing are fundamental skills for anyone venturing out on a trip.  It doesn’t have to be fancy – but it sure as heck has to work – quickly!  We’ll help you develop your own systems and offer up suggestions for ways to be more efficient.
 8.
Alternative Rescue Options		  3:00 pm
to 4:30 pm		 Think of this session as simply adding to the tool belt. For most of us – in most situations – the key is to stick to the basics. But as you grow as a paddler, it’s important to have other strategies to cope with out of the ordinary rescue situations.
 9.
Stand Up for Sea Kayaking – Beyond Basics		   3:00 pm
to 4:30 pm		  For those who have been on a board before. We’ll develop torso rotation and focus on body/blade mechanics of the catch, power and recovery phases of common strokes and how you can apply that to your sea kayak repertoire. (We will supply the boards, no charge).
10.
Practical Group Leadership on Water		 3:00 pm
to 4:30 pm		 We will use the boats, water and group to work through scenarios that highlight common leadership issues on water.  Be ready to paddle and participate in a lively forum where there aren’t any easy answers.  Kayak leadership flows out of knowledge, skills and judgment – but also very much depends on learning to adapt to changing conditions.
[contact-form to=”wolframesser@gmail.com” subject=”WS Sessions at Rendezvous”][contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”1″][contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”1″][contact-field label=”Please list your choice of 3 sessions (just give the Session Numbers) in order of preference.” type=”textarea”][/contact-form]

GLSKA Waiver

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (hereinafter the "Release Agreement") BY ACCEPTING THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE OR GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE OR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

DEFINITION

In this Release Agreement, the term Sea Kayaking Activities shall include but is not limited to: all activities, events or services provided, arranged, organized, conducted, sponsored or authorized by the Releasees and shall including moving water, still water, lake and ocean kayaking; loan or rental of kayaks (hereinafter "the boats") and other equipment; orientational and instructional courses, seminars and sessions; all travel, transportation, and accommodation; food, beverage including water supply, use of equipment, and multi-day camping or overnight stays in the outdoors.

In this Release Agreement, the term "Negligence" includes the failure by the Releasees to use such care as a reasonably prudent and careful guide, instructor, trip organizer or sea kayaking operator would use under similar circumstances, or breach of any other duty of care imposed by law.

ASSUMPTION OF RISKS

Participation in Sea Kayaking Activities involves various risks, dangers and hazards including the risk of serious injury, paralysis or death. Sea Kayaking Activities often take place in remote wilderness locations, where assistance, medical and first aid services and evacuation may not be readily available, and communication may be difficult or not possible. The risks, dangers and hazards that may be encountered include, but are not limited to: accidents which occur during transportation or travel to and from the departure point; slips and falls while getting into or out of the boats; overturning of the boats; loss of balance; impact or collision with objects; cold water immersion; repetitive strain injuries; dislocated shoulders; hypothermia; drowning; changing and inclement weather conditions including storms, high wind, high waves, and lightning; encounters with domestic or wild animals; infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact; negligence on the part of other participants; and NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART THE RELEASEES. I UNDERSTAND THAT NEGLIGENCE INCLUDES FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO SAFEGUARD OR PROTECT ME FROM OR WARN ME OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS OF PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES.

Please refer to the GLSKA Risk Management Strategy section of their website for further information regarding the risks, dangers and hazards that may be encountered during Sea Kayaking Activities.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (hereinafter the "Release Agreement") BY ACCEPTING THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE OR GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE OR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

I AM AWARE OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES AND I FREELY ACCEPT AND FULLY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS AND THE POSSIBILITY OF PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR LOSS RESULTING THEREFROM.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

In consideration of the Releasees allowing me to participate in Sea Kayaking Activities as defined in this Release Agreement, I hereby agree as follows:

  1. TO WAIVE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS that I have or may in the future have against the Releasees and TO RELEASE THE RELEASEES from any and all liability for any loss, damage, expenseor injury including death that I may suffer, or that my next of kin may suffer as a result of my participation in Sea Kayaking Activities, DUE TO ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF CONTRACT, OR BREACH OF ANY STATUTORY OR OTHER DUTY OF CARE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES. I UNDERSTAND THAT NEGLIGENCE INCLUDES FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO SAFEGUARD OR PROTECT ME FROM OR WARN ME OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS OF PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES REFERRED TO ABOVE;
  1. TO HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY THE RELEASEES from any and all liability for any property damage or personal injury to any third party resulting from my participation in Sea Kayaking Activities;
  2. This Release Agreement shall be effective and binding upon my heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators, assigns and representatives, in the event of my death or incapacity;
  3. This Release Agreement and any rights, duties and obligations as between the parties to this Release Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted solely in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and no other jurisdiction; and
  4. Any litigation involving the parties to this Release Agreement shall be brought solely within the Province of Ontario and shall be within the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ontario.

In entering into this Release Agreement I am not relying on any oral or written representations or statements made by the Releasees with respect to the safety of Sea Kayaking Activities, other than what is set forth in this Release Agreement.

I CONFIRM THAT I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT, AND I AM AWARE THAT BY ACCEPTING THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT I AM WAIVING CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS WHICH I OR MY HEIRS, NEXT OF KIN, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, ASSIGNS AND REPRESENTATIVES MAY HAVE AGAINST THE RELEASEES.