Sunday Morning ‘Over Easy’ Rolling and Bracing Session, Sunday May 6th: Back by popular demand, these sessions are just what a paddler who wants to get a jump on the paddling season needs. Work on that bomb proof roll and bracing in the warm inviting waters of the Brighton High School Pool. The session is from 10:00 a.m. until noon on Sunday, May 6^th. Please note, this is not a formal class, but an opportunity to clean up your technique with assistance from our coaching staff. Cost for each session is $15 with your gear, $20 with ours. Registration is through Black Parrot Paddling, LLC. (734) 878-3689.

This course is oriented to beginners who are comfortable on the water with experience gained by canoeing or one of our four week pool courses. All the basic elements of the pool beginner's courses will be covered except the paddle float rescue is substituted for the Eskimo Roll. Students will have the opportunity to apply their new skills on an inland lake complete with possible wind and small wave action. Classes will be held at the West Boat Launch, Kensington Metro Park. Kensington Metro Park is north of I-96 at Kensington Road (Exit 150), East of Brighton, Michigan. Classes will begin at 9:00 a.m. and will conclude by approximately 5:00 p.m. Cost is $100 with our gear, $80 with your own gear. There is a daily use fee required for admission to Kensington Metro Park. Registration is through Black Parrot Paddling, (734) 878-3689. Classes are limited to 10 students.

Ron Smith, ACA Instructor Trainer and Laurie Levknecht, ACA Coastal Kayaking Instructor, will lead these workshops which focus on the how-tos of quality instruction as candidates learn the essentials to teach paddling to others. During the Instructor Development Workshop candidates will give classroom presentations, learn to demonstrate skills and prepare lesson plans. All participants will have video analysis of their on-water skills. The focus will be on exploring different teaching strategies. This includes developing different methods of conveying information to students as well as examining how people learn. The three-day Instructor Certification Exam evaluates each candidate’s paddling skills and knowledge, teaching abilities and people skills. Candidates will receive written and verbal feedback as well as a critique of their on and off water teaching and paddling skills. Participation in both a IDW and ICE is necessary to be eligible for certification. Cost: IDW - $250, ICE - $250 plus appropriate ACA fees. Prepay in advance for both nets a 10% discount. Call (734) 878-3689 for additional information or to register. Prerequisite: Basic paddling skills.

Back By Popular Demand!!! Women Only Class In Fundamentals of Coastal Kayaking: Sat. & Sun., July 14 & 15, Muskegon State Park, Muskegon, MI. A unique experience…a kayaking course taught entirely by women for women only. ACA Coastal Kayaking Instructors Laurie Levknecht, Wendy Beckwith and Suzie Smith will conduct the American Canoe Association's Fundamentals of Coastal Kayaking course with a slant for addressing women’s issues in seakayaking. This 16 hour course will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 14 and conclude at approximately 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 15. The course, which is designed for enthusiastic beginners and intermediate paddlers will cover basic strokes, rescues, first aid equipment, navigation, marine hazards, landing in surf, weather and paddling, emergency signaling, kayaking equipment including clothing, packing a kayak and the Eskimo Roll. If the weather is good, all or part of the class will be conducted on Lake Michigan. If we get a strong wind, the class will be conducted on a suitable in land lake, one way or the other...we paddle. This is a camping weekend and a "pot luck" dinner will be held on Saturday night. There will be a small fee for State Park entry and camping. The course is limited to 14 participants and is $120 with your own gear, $165 with our gear. Call (734) 878-3689 to register.

Black Parrot Paddling will be participating in this symposium which will be held on Lake Superior at Grand Marais, Michigan. Sea kayaks will be available for rent from Black Parrot Paddling for use at the Symposium for $45 per day. Equipment rentals include boat, spray skirt, PFD, paddle, paddle leash, paddle float and hand pump. A limited number of wet suits will be available for an additional $25. Call (734) 878-3689 to reserve equipment. Equipment will be transported to and from the Symposium by Black Parrot Paddling. Contact Joe Palm at (616) 347-2827 for additional information concerning the Symposium. Reserve boats early.

Fundamentals of Coastal Kayaking: Sat. & Sun., August 18 & 19, 2001, Muskegon State Park, Muskegon, MI. Similar to the "Women’s Clinic described above but this session is open to men and women. This 16 hour course will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 18 and conclude at approximately 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 19. The course, which is designed for enthusiastic beginners and intermediate paddlers will cover basic strokes, rescues, first aid equipment, navigation, marine hazards, landing in surf, weather and paddling, emergency signaling, kayaking equipment including clothing, packing a kayak and the Eskimo Roll. If the weather is good, all or part of the class will be conducted on Lake Michigan. If we get a strong wind, the class will be conducted on a suitable in land lake, one way or the other...we paddle. This is a camping weekend and a "pot luck" dinner will be held on Saturday night. There will be a small fee for State Park entry and camping. The course is limited to 14 participants and is $120 with your own gear, $165 with our gear. Call (734) 878-3689 to register.

Pool time is available through the EMU Paddlers Association to learn basic kayaking skills or hone your strokes and roll throughout the year. This is an informal setting without a structured class set up. American Canoe Association and/or British Canoe Union certified instructor's will be present to start you off on the right foot. All gear is provided. Group meets at the parking lot of Powell’s Pub on Huron Street in Ypsilanti at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday evenings to car pool to the campus. Pool time is 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Cost is approximately $200 for the year. Check out web site: www.emich.edu/paddle/paddle or call Mark Hubbard (248) 887-4823 for more information.