Texas Nature Kayaking

Skill Building Class

Cost: $65 per person – One third of this fee will be deducted from the fees of each of the next three classes for which the client registers, so the class is essentially free.

Reason for taking the class: Some clients desire more training than the 30-minute introduction before our tours.  Reasons include:

• Learn the basics of kayaking with a limited audience,
• Special needs – We need to learn together to accommodate those needs,
• Try out kayaking to see if it is enjoyable,
• Learn basics before buying a kayak.

Class size: We limit the class size to 6 students and tailor each class to the needs of the clients.  If the class size is 4 or more, we add an assistant instructor.

What to expect: This class can be held year-round, but during the cool months of the year, care should be taken in selecting the right clothes for protection against cold.  Often we meet at an under-utilized section of a river near San Antonio that has a hard gravel launch site, but depending on the needs of the class, we can meet in other areas.  Here is how the class typically proceeds.  If you would like to stand up in a kayak, we will teach you and take your photo so you can show your disbelieving relatives.

You will learn to get in and out of the kayak safely and also the basic paddle strokes.  As we paddle up-river, we teach deep-water re-entry for those who want to learn this skill.  At two Class I rapids you will learn to read the water and then practice running the rapids.  You will learn how to safely swim in fast-flowing water so you do not become trapped.  We come to a wonderful swimming hole with Spanish moss hanging from the trees.  After all of the young-at-heart have enjoyed a swim, we drift and paddle downstream, practicing the skills learned.  The skill-building class lasts 3 to 4 hours.

Introduction to Kayaking

Cost: $65 per person

Reason for taking the class:

• To learn flat-water kayaking,
• To learn to have confidence while flat water kayaking, and
• To learn what to avoid.

Class size: We limit the class size to 16 students.  We have one instructor or assistant instructor for each 4 students (ACA requirements are one instructor or assistant per 5 students).

What to expect: This class can be held year-round, but during the cool months of the year, care should be taken in selecting the right clothes for protection against cold.  You will get wet.  This is a very intense 6-hour class that covers getting in and out of a kayak, paddle strokes, maneuvers, safety, and deep water reentry in flat water.  It does not get into river running, rolling, or the use of a spray skirt.  Rather than learn 1 or 2 methods of deep water reentry as taught in the skills class, you will learn 5 or 6 methods and get to practice all of them.

Kayak Camping

We are currently working on a curriculum for a kayak camping class.  If you would like to have input in the development of the curriculum, please contact us.  The class will be in two parts.  The first part will involve:

• Selecting gear,
• Packing it into a kayak, and
• Camping in a state park or other friendly campground.

The second part will involve:

• Loading kayaks,
• Proceeding across water,
• Selecting a primitive campsite,
• Setting up camp,
• Cooking,
• Breaking camp the next morning,
• Paddling back to the vehicles.

We paddle to the camping area so the students will not be tempted to go to the store to pick up what was forgotten, or crawl into their cars to sleep.

Booking a Class or a Tour

Give us a call (210-573-2030) or email us (herbnordmeyer@gmail.com).   We may already have a class or tour forming up to meet your needs, or we can set up a a special class for you and your friends.  We are available most week days with a little notice.  We normally do not schedule classes for Sundays due to our involvement in church.

Current schedule:  Low water levels in local rivers have caused us to have to revise many of our scheduled paddles.

• Saturday – October 1, 2011 – Class canceled
• Friday and Saturday – October 7 and 8 – Armand Bayou
• Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, October 21 to 23 – Parida Cave and Panther Cave.  This trip will involve one night at Seminole Canyon State Park and one night of  primitive camping under the stars beside the Rio Grande River.