Bought a kayak, now whats the best approach to learn to paddle? - S.F. area

[mavrick]

I bought a boat and all the gear from a friend and am interested in learning how to whitewater kayak. Ive played in a lake with some success, not fully though, the eskimo roll.
What should my next step be?
Take a roll class? Should the roll class be before or after a entry level kayak class? I was thinking I would sign up for current adventures kayak 1 class in truckee. Should I instead do an all day private?
Im thinking the 2 day class might have some good info but might also be a little slow.
If there are better places to take lessons from in the area, please let me know.
Im pretty ignorant to paddling and have been trying to just read through posts to pick up what I can.
Thanks.

[*alli*]

Do an intro course. It will teach you the basics as far as eddy turns, ferrying, t-rescues and wet exits. Then do a roll clinic. I started about two months ago and joined a local paddling club right after my intro course which was essential for me as I didnt know anyone who kayaked at the time. The good thing about this is it's introduced me to tons of people who are way better than me and willing to take a newbie out to some easy (for them) rivers. have fun, it's a great sport to get in to, after the first day in the intro course I was absolutely hooked.

[cmor]

It depends how much time you've had on flatwater/lake. If you've spent a fair bit of time in your boat the first day of an intro course my be a little lame. But the next couple days would be really helpful. And as alli mentioned it will introduce you to people to paddle with, which is how you'll get into it in the end anyway. But a lot of times there's roll sessions around for $5 or so, don't put off going to those. Try it out. Its usually only an hour or two. If you paddle flatwater a bunch and then go to roll sessions and get a roll you will be miles ahead of someone who hasn't been in a boat. Literally it could take years off the learning curve. And its something you could do yourself until you meet people to go with.

[crackboy]

if you come out to DAvis, outdoor adventures has two levels of into ww kayak classes. though we might be done with them. we also offer rolling clinics, but again i think we finished for the summer with those

[Gerome]

Agreed that the intro class will get you people to learn with as you go. Search on google for Gold Country Paddlers club. They are good with new paddlers. California Canoe & Kayak - CCK - Calkayak.com i think, has a shop in oakland and Sacramento and does a two day course on the class I and II section of the South Fork American - where you'll be spending days and months paddling.

They also do roll classes at a swimming pool in Richmond. I haven't been in a long time, but they used to be at 7pm-ish on Thursdays. The class is more expensive, but it's very much worth your while to learn the roll correctly, the pool sessions are about $15 if you just show up. I never took a class and never perfected my roll and have paid for it in class V boating.

Get a wetsuit and get your beatdown going at Ocean Beach, learn to surf kayak, the waves will kick your but and flip you over constantly until you learn to stay upright. You can start on small swell days and work your way up. STAY MILES AWAY from surfers while yahoo boating out of control.

[macmahoooon]

Most of our beginners here we set them up with private lessons with our instructor buddies. People seem to learn a lot faster when its a competent instructor 1 on 1. It will also allow them to tailor your day to your speed, so your not constantly either waiting for or holding back the rest of a group.

[Mr. Toad]

Look for a kayak instruction book by William Neely. A cult classic. Teaches you about hydraulics, eddys, and other water dynamics critical to any ww sports. You live near SF? Kayak surfing in the ocean taught me the basics of paddle stroke, brace, and the all important combat roll.

[PDS]

If you are looking for instruction, Kent McCrakin in Reno is a great teacher for an old fart. I think his operation is called Sierra Outdoors or something along those lines. There are also various companies in Coloma and Lotus, Matt Parker is an instructor for one and he is quality paddler.

[Lost in AK]

I second picking up Nealy's book. Also, Strokes and balance and such before rolling. You'll learn to roll quicker if you already understand how your body controls the boat. And you'll just be more comfortable with the whole experience.

[XXX-er]

IMO an introductory learn to paddle class where you can learn basics safety /strokes/moving a boat on a river and then get into a club where you can find other to paddle with and some folks who will babysit your sorry ass down the river,just like somebody babysat their sorry ass years before ...its payback time .

Newbies don't have much or a combat roll in their 1st season anyhow so IMO don't sweat the roll too much

IMO the biggest reason folks don't progress or stick with the sport is that for whatever reason they don't show up ...you gotta paddle once a week to stay even and more than once week to get better...so just keep at it

Dutky's "the bombproof roll is another good book

http://www.amazon.com/Bombproof-Roll.../dp/0897320859