Learn with Ben Lawry
Ben Lawry is an internationally known paddler and has been teaching and guiding for more than 15 years. He has taught on 4 different continents and is an American Canoe Association (ACA) Instructor Trainer (IT) in sea kayak, white water, and surf, and is also a British Canoe Union (BCU) coach. He has been paddling for more than 30 years and an avid paddling competitor in a variety of watercraft.
If you are looking for a special on water learning experience with Ben Lawry, you won't be disappointed.
Core Paddling
This class covers kayak fundamentals. The goal is to provide a solid ergonomic and efficient set of skills for people to grow and develop throughout their kayaking career. The topics covered include: correct grip and hand placement on the paddle shaft, checking for optimal boat fit and an explanation of terms. Balance, posture and tilting are covered as well as correct blade and boat use to ensure a solid foundation for growth. Strokes and skills covered are dictated by the group, the conditions and the setting - focus is on the building blocks.
Includes: Equipment, instruction and lunch
Time: 9am-4:30pm
Cost: $135
Fast Track Workshops at Block Island - 2 Days or 3 Days
Block Island is one of the best kept secrets in New England! This is a fabulous island off the coast of Rhode Island. We invite you to join us for a few days of kayak instruction at Block Island with Ben and others from The Kayak Centre team. The meeting place and venue will be the rustic Narragansett Inn on Block Island. We offer two and three day workshops. All workshops include equipment, instruction, and lunch daily as well as a group dinner following the first day of paddling. The two day workshop including dinner is $325 and the three day workshop is $475. A group of rooms will be held at the Narragansett Inn up until two weeks before the event. Block Island is a busy place and lodging books quickly during the summer months. Please contact The Narragansett Inn at 401-466-2626 directly to book your room reservation so you will not be disappointed. www.binarragansettinn.com
2 & 3 Day Fast Track Workshops
Kayak Centre Fast Track Workshops are ideal for any athletic beginners who really want to push themselves a bit or experienced paddlers who are looking to refresh their skills and work on some additional technique. The content of the two day workshop will be our Oceanplay 2 and 3 programs combined with a day trip along the rugged Block Island coastline. You can take your paddling to whole new level with an additional day on the water with us. The third day will include a long open ocean paddle with a beach landing.
Advanced Forward Stroke
Over 99% of your time is spent paddling forward, yet it is very rarely talked about or taught as an expert skill set. Efficiency and correct body use are the keys to ensuring hours of paddling enjoyment with ease and grace This is an advanced forward stroke class and will include a brief refresher of the key points of the forward stroke followed by a warm up and paddle. We will focus on stroke mechanics and you will receive a good deal of personalized coaching. We will be shooting video in this class, so bring your best looking kit! .
Includes: Equipment ,instruction and lunch
Time: 9am-4:30pm
Cost: $135
Rocks & Ledges
You will learn how to take the fundamental skills from Core Paddling to practical skills for a rocks and ledges environment. We will use the conditions present to shape the class to best suit the needs of the participants. The focus will be on skill acquisition through techniques to maximize the performance of the kayak and kayaker while pretending we are in rock gardens. Then once the skills are acquired we shall but them to the test and play in some rock gardens; learning about timing, use of water and safety while we are there. Core Paddling is a prerequisite for this class or discretion of the instructor.
Includes: Equipment, instruction and lunch
Time: 9am-4:30pm
Cost: $135
Rescues & Towing
We will take it back to the fundamentals - rescue priorities, rescue safety and functionality - we will explore a variety of rescues and towing techniques. Following a quick refresher, we will run a few practice scenarios with a good amount of focus on debrief so we can learn most from the activity.
Includes: Equipment, instruction and lunch
Time: 9am-4:30pm
Cost: $135
Surf Kayak Camp in Newport - 4 Days With Nige Robinson and Ben
Learn to Surf with two of the best - Ben will be joined by Nige Robinson www.nigerobinson.co.uk for 4 days of surf kayaking instruction. A must for Surf Kayakers, Surf Kayak Instructors and those whose goal is to get better in the surf in a kayak. The goals of this class are to take your surfing skills to the next level while having a great time.
Includes: Equipment, instruction and lunches
Time: 9am-4:30pm
Cost: $600