Rendezvous 2014 White Squall Workshops – Oak Point

by

The Rendezvous Committee is excited to bring you two days of workshops run by White Squall as well as our regularly run member programs on the Saturday.

The availability of time, money, and the resources to run the White Squall programs is limited. Due to the limited number of participants that can be accommodated in the White Squall workshops at one time a lottery will be run to make the final selection of participants for each workshop. In the event that one or more workshops is very popular it may be possible to offer the same program more than once. That being said, there should be opportunities for those interested to participate in at least one or more of the programs of their choice. Not all programs on the list from White Squall may be offered. Final course offerings will be determined by member choices.

The Friday afternoon program will be an Intermediate Instructional Workshop for anyone interested in gaining skills to become a new or even better Trip Organizer. The program will run from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at the Oak Point Site with two Instructors. Hopefully all that wish to attend this session can be accommodated. Should the program be over subscribed then it may be necessary to run a lottery for this program as well.

To participate in the Saturday White Squall programs you will be asked to select your first, second, and third choices for programs from the list below. Those members that have both their cheques and registration forms received by Chantal (Rendezvous Registrar) on or before the early bird deadline of May 15 will be eligible to be entered into the lottery. Your selection of preferred programs and the lottery process will determine the final course and participant selection. I will get a list of everyone who has sent in both their Registration Form and cheque by the early bird deadline from Chantal. Everyone who is both registered and has sent me their selection choices will be entered into the lottery.

The White Squall Saturday programs will only be able to accommodate 12 participants in each workshop, with 2 workshops offered in each time slot. The allocated times for the Saturday White Squall workshops is as follows:

8:30 am to 10:00 am
10:30 am to 12:00 pm
LUNCH BREAK 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Since a maximum of 24 people total will be able to take the White Squall programs in each time slot is is important that your registration forms indicate what other workshops you would like to see and/or present at Rendezvous. This will be the info used for the Rendezvous committee to assemble the best possible program of member run workshops.

Please review the list below to find a brief description of possible programs. From the list only please make your preferred selection of workshop choices and email them directly to me.

GLSKA Rendezvous 2014 White Squall Workshops – Oak Point

Overview

We are excited to work with you in developing some key paddling, rescue and risk mgt skills. Please show up ready to go and note that one workshop requires a helmet. If you don’t have one, no problem – just let us know in advance and we can bring some. Same thing with towing harnesses and other gear. If you have any questions, please get in touch. info@whitesquall.com

Friday Afternoon – 1-4 pm

Intermediate Instructional Workshop

An afternoon on the water for strong paddlers wanting to share their skills with others. We will examine ways to teach paddling and safe wilderness travel effectively. Strokes, braces, rescues, towing and risk mgt are all part of the mix – with a strong emphasis on developing understandable models of risk reduction and effective coaching technique. We only have 3 hours, so be ready to go hard.

Saturday Sessions

Coaches Corner

An opportunity for intermediate paddlers to ask questions you’ve always wondered about, explore new strokes, edge further and fine tune your paddling effectiveness.

Fast Forward

Focused session on the fwd stroke mechanics, introducing “touchstones” you can refer back throughout your paddling adventures to self-assess your stroke efficiency.

Wind & Waves

Confident, powerfully-linked strokes are key to paddling in rough conditions. In particular we’ll emphasize shortened, faster cadence with more situational awareness. You’ll be driving the boat with faster, shorter stroke mechanics boosting your confidence when the going gets rough.

Paddling in Style

This flatwater session goes beyond your comfort zone into developing carved, graceful turns using low & high bracing skills – sidling up to a dock and impressing your friends. In particular we’ll introduce the “low tele” and “bow jam” – stolen directly from the magical world of Bill Mason and Omer Stringer.

Quick & Dirty Contact Towing

Working in the rock/water zone, we’ll look at contact, line and mechanical tows for intermediate paddlers. How they work – and the importance of speed and maintaining a “body safe” position throughout the rescue. Helmets required.

Teaching Tricks and Tips

Learning styles vary greatly – and as an instructor you don’t have time to sort them all out. This session will focus on hitting the most common ways to connect with people in your teaching with lots of practical coaching strategies, models and games.

Safe & Simple Rescue

Whether you are an asset or a liability as a paddler is a direct function of how effectively you can rescue yourself and others. We will work with you to develop a solid rescue response for yourself and others.

Intermediate Rescue

Rescue skills change depending who you talk to or what magazine/blog you read and what is thought of as best practice. This session employs rescue scenes requiring layers of response. We will purposely challenge your comfort level to see what works well for you and your boat.

Group Management/Lowering Risk On Water

Sea kayak groups get into trouble when high risks are inadvertently taken with unidentified hazards. Leadership that flows with effective communication/signalling strategies and rescue plans that work for the group’s skill sets, knowledge and judgment are all part of lowering risk. Standard on-water operating procedures will be examined in the light of changing terrain, sea state and group dynamics.

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.