Maine Island Kayak Resources and Links

MIKCo Sea Kayaker’s Self Assessment

 

The following self-assessment is offered to provide a glimpse of your current knowledge and understanding of sea kayaking in New England conditions.

A written assessment does not realistically evaluate on-water skills and seamanship, so this is only a very basic first blush of your knowledge of paddling and seamanship. The other cornerstones of safe paddling are skill, experience, and judgment. If you want a true evaluation of your skill sets consider the BCU Star Test system or ask one of our Instructor/Guides for assessment of your paddling level during a course or trip.

MIKCo believes that you should dedicate yourself to acquiring a working knowledge of overall seamanship skills – safe paddling involves much more than how the paddle goes in the water. Please remember to develop your real world skills and experience with the elements.

Beginning Paddler

MIKCo recommends these courses:  Fundamentals 1, Fast Track 1

MIKCo recommends these trips:  Casco Bay, Paddling towards Ecology, Stonington, Family Fun

Beginning paddlers want to safely experience the wonders of the marine environment but are not yet connected to their boat or paddle. You will probably have broad questions about kayak design and safety features, learning to safely enter and exit the kayak, moving the kayak, and rescuing yourself or your friends. Your confidence is not yet developed, so you’ll only want to paddle in light winds and sheltered conditions. You do not yet know how to recognize and avoid conditions that are unsafe for your skill level. 

Novice Paddler - BCU Two Star

MIKCo recommends these courses:  Fundamentals 2-4, Fast Track 1, Fast Track 1.5.
MIKCo recommends these trips: Casco Bay, Paddling Towards Ecology, Stonington, Penobscot Bay, Family Fun

The Novice describes most paddlers we meet here at MIKCo - a few years of on/off experience without significant training or study. You can get around and appreciate the magic and wonder of sea kayaking but haven’t really challenged yourself with windier days, ocean swells, or navigating in new areas. Probably you would like to feel more confident of your stability and your rescues, not convinced that your braces really work. You have begun to understand the variables that you must consider before going for a day paddle, but are not sure of their interpretation or application, and weaving them all into a workable whole is unsteady.

You understand the basic maneuvering strokes but do not have a rough water brace, solid support strokes while on the move, do not use a bow rudder and can’t always keep your kayak running straight in winds and waves. You’ve done a few assisted and self-rescues but are not sure how quick they would be if surprised or in light conditions. Towing is not really a normal skill and you haven’t yet figured out what you like in the way of kayaks, paddles or equipment.
 

Questions Novice Paddlers Can Answer

 

Intermediate Day Paddler - BCU Three/Four Star

MIKCo recommends these courses: Fundamentals 3, Fundamentals 4, Fast Track 1.5 and Fastrack 2, BCU 2-4 Star, Rocks and Ledges, Surf and Rescue

MIKCo recommends these trips:  Casco Bay, Paddling Towards Ecology, Plan Prepare and Paddle, Stonington, Jonesport Archipelago, Penobscot Bay, Downeast Maine

The Intermediate Day Paddler has a full set of well-developed strokes and is able to adapt their application for light conditions. You have a functioning bow rudder, a strong commitment to a moving high brace, understand the difference between a hanging draw and moving draw, can skull for support with solid commitment to your paddle. Your strokes are integrated with your style of paddling and your kayak, you are connected to your boat and paddle. You are working on your effective navigations and seamanship skills, the judgmental factors of wind and waves, tides and currents, weather and emergency procedures all tied into your route selection.

Questions the Intermediate Day Paddler Can Answer -

Intermediate Overnight Trip Sea Paddler – BCU 4 Star

MIKCo recommends these Courses: Plan, Prepare, Paddle, Fast Track 2, Surf and Rescue, Rocks and Ledges, Expedition Training
MIKCo recommends these Trips: Downeast Maine, Nova Scotia, Fundy Isles, and events in the Irish Sea off Wales and Scotland

An intermediate paddler is comfortable with most of the following concepts. She would have a full grasp of all strokes, be able to naturally choose the correct stroke for the conditions, can navigate at will and can competently paddle in exposed conditions without an experienced decision maker or solid trip leader. The Intermediate overnight paddler can perform surf landings and launchings, and can move around effectively in comfort in moderate swells. You have well practiced assisted rescues in conditions, and can play an active role in maintaining the safety of your paddling partners.

Questions the Intermediate Overnight Sea Paddler Can Answer:

 

Advanced Sea Paddler – BCU 5 Star plus
(MIKCo recommends getting a life)

The sea can be an unforgiving place and can surprise the most experienced mariners.  We believe that the most experienced paddlers understand how much they have left to learn about the sea.  Indeed one of the many beauties of sea kayaking that draws and keeps many people is the infinite number of things they can learn from the marine environment. Advanced paddlers are good group leaders. However, we have put together a list of conditions that situations that advanced paddlers would be happy to do.