What do I need to bring?
Can I bring my own Gear?
What happens if the weather is bad?
What time do I get there, what time does the class start, when does it end, what if I need to leave early?
Is there a Lunch, do we take breaks?
What are the minimum booking requirements? And when will we be notified if the class is on or off?
What is the Student to Instructor Ratio?
What qualifications do your instructors have?
What does “certification” mean?
What if I can’t swim?
How is Eastern Mountain Sports different from other outfitters
What is the difference between a PRIMARY STROKES class and a STROKES AND RESCUES CLASS?
Do you offer gift certificates?
How many people per kayak?
May I bring my child?
Can I smoke during my program?
Can I bring beer or wine for lunch?
Can I bring a cell phone?
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What do I need to bring?
Each class has its own requirements, see the specific class and location notes to help with this answer. Basic stuff customers should bring is bathing suit, bathing shirt, polypro or synthetic warm clothing, wind breaker (top and bottom), towel, lunch, snacks, water, sunscreen, bug spray, hat, sunglasses, eyewear retainers… Colder/Open Water classes or locations could require wetsuits, spray skirts, paddle jackets, wet shoes, neoprene booties, hats, gloves….We provide most cold water gear but if you have it, bring it! Lunch and equipment need to be able to fit in a kayak hatch or dry bag if the class has lunch in an alternate location or if it is an open water class/tour.
Can I bring my own Gear?
Yes, if it is appropriate. Kayaks for instruction or for tours need to have a minimum of safety features as well as be an appropriate style and size kayak for the class/tour. Call and check with your booking agent or instructor. (15 feet or greater for Sea kayak with bulkheads or float bags at both ends, all other midsized recreation boats should have rear bulkhead or float bag in rear, whitewater boats need float bags in the rear)
What happens if the weather is bad?
We still operate all of our programs in rainy conditions. Kayaking is after all a water sport. We will delay or cancel programs in dangerous weather conditions like thunderstorms or gale force winds. If this happens during your class, we will either credit you at a pro rate, or reschedule you to finish the missed portion at your convenience.
What time do I get there, what time does the class start, when does it end, what if I need to leave early?
You should get to class at least 15 minutes early, class start and end on time (this is a instructor/student conversation), we would prefer if you stay for the whole time but if issues such as scheduling or physical abilities pop up than WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO ACCOMIDATE YOUR NEEDS.
Is there a Lunch, do we take breaks?
In our 7 hour instructional classes we always take a lunch. Often times it is a working lunch in which students and instructors share information and experiences. Students need to provide their own bag lunch. Each student should have at least one liter of water so that they can stay hydrated. Breaks are taken when needed, students need only to ask their instructors during class.
What are the minimum booking requirements? And when will we be notified if the class is on or off?
We need a certain number of students in the class in order for it to make sense to run, therefore as the booking agent this is where you work your magic. A: We should be able to make the call 36 hours in advanced for minimum booked issues. Weather issues will also be considered in this 36 hour timeframe, but a weather call can be made anytime. If the kayak School cancel’s a trip/tour for these reasons at any time than the customer has the right to a full refund!
What is the Student to Instructor Ratio?
For tours we have a 8 students to one instructor ratio. For classes this ratio is 6 students per instructor. Larger groups are handled by multiple instructors.
What qualifications do your instructors have?
All instructors are current and up to date American Canoe Association (ACA) Certified Instructors. Their level of certification always meets or exceed the level of class they are teaching. All instructors are also up to date CPR and First Aid Trained.
What does “certification” mean?
It means that all of our instructors have taken part in a nationally recognized rigorous and standardized training program and certification process. The certification process tests both teaching ability and personal kayaking skills, and has been designed by many of the top kayak instructors in the US. This program is constantly updated and refined as teaching styles evolve, and our understanding of biomechanics increases. Many if not most first time instructor applicants do not pass their certification fully, and must retest within 1 year to remain eligible instructor candidates. All certified instructors must update their training approximately every 2 years and maintain current CPR and First Aid certifications to maintain their status.
What if I can’t swim?
No problem! We have many people come on tours and classes who can’t swim or aren’t very comfortable in the water. Most people don’t capsize unintentionally, but if you do, you will be wearing a Personal Floatation Device (PFD) specially fitted to you.
How is Eastern Mountain Sports different from other outfitters?
While there are other good outfitters, they are in the minority. We spend a great deal of time on staff training and all our instructors are nationally certified. All of our guides and instructors were experienced paddlers before they became instructors, and that is a claim few other outfitters can back up. We perform risk assessments for every site we work at, with emergency procedure plans prepared in advance, and regularly train in conjunction with rescue agencies like the US Coast Guard and local harbormasters. We have instructors who regularly teach at nationally regarded paddles sports events across the US.
What is the difference between a PRIMARY STROKES class and a STROKES AND RESCUES CLASS?
Primary Strokes and Strokes and Rescues class both start off the same and cover similar information but in the afternoon the Strokes and Rescues Class goes on to teach Rescues and a few extra strokes. Students in a S&R have a longer class, tend to be more challenged physically, and spend a lot more time in and out of the water.
Do you offer gift certificates?
Yes, we do. These can be purchased over the phone, through our website, or in one of our EMS retail store locations.
How many people per kayak?
We use single person kayaks for regular lessons and many of our tours. In certain programs we have 2 person double kayaks available, and many of our rental boats are 2 person kayaks. We also have rental boats available in our Lincoln Woods State Park location with child seats. This allows 1 average sized adult and child up to @100 lbs in a single recreational kayak.
May I bring my child?
We can accommodate children 30 lbs and up in rentals. Tour and classes 12 and up in some programs.
Can I smoke during my program?
We do not allow smoking on the water. If you need to smoke during the day, please walk downwind of the group when on land to limit disturbing other clients.
Can I bring beer or wine for lunch?
Alcohol cannot be allowed on any day program. Additionally, if EMS Kayak School staff notice an odor of alcohol on any participant prior to a program, that individual may not come on the program.
Can I bring a cell phone?
We don’t recommend you bring cell phones. They don’t hold up well in water; even the best dry bag will leak a bit.
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