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After mastering the basics, you'll venture further from shore aboard 40-foot keelboats.
Photo: Moorings Photos |
A NOLS semester without the hiking boots? That’s right. The Baja Ocean Semester is one-of-a-kind! You’ll explore the eastern edge of the Baja Peninsula, where the freshly scrubbed beaches of the Sonoran Desert become the beginning of the Sea of Cortez—and your highway for 73 days.
As your expedition heads south from the Bahia de Los Angeles to the La Paz Islands, your watercraft will switch from sea kayak to Drascombe longboat to keelboat while your skills grow accordingly. You will also have the opportunity to skin dive, snorkel and possibly even go spear fishing at different points in your journey.
The rugged Sonoran mountain ranges and crystal green waters will create the perfect backdrop as you learn the many facets of “seamanship,” as well as the NOLS core curriculum that will allow you to lead others safely and comfortably on the ocean wilderness that covers two-thirds of our planet.
Wilderness First Aid
Your adventure will be just beginning when you arrive at NOLS Mexico, our minimum impact facilities. Here you’ll have 16 hours of first aid training specific to wilderness emergencies, essential for backcountry travelers and brought to you by the Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS.
Sea Kayaking
You’ll get right on the water with your sea kayak, learning how to roll and surf along with the most efficient paddling strokes. Navigation and water risk management will also be your focus as you travel down the coast. By the end of these 30 days, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a well-rounded ocean traveler with a feel for the winds and an intimate knowledge of the tides.
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The Drascombe Longboat, the vessel used on Baja sailing courses, is a light, maneuverable craft that can explore hidden coves or be hauled onto a desert beach.
Photo: Mac Henry |
Longboat Sailing
During this month-long section, you’ll learn the essentials of sail theory aboard a 22-foot Drascombe Longboat, a perfect boat to nail down the fundamentals. You will appreciate its maneuverability in small coves, along with its capability to make larger crossings to islands. Leadership, seamanship, navigation and oceanography will also be continued subjects to expand upon, as well as further mastering your Leave No Trace camping skills on shore.
Keelboat Sailing
By the end of your semester, you’ll be ready to tackle keelboat sailing, the epitome of teamwork. These 40-foot boats will be your home for the final 10 days of your semester and will each carry seven students and an instructor. As you move further from the shore and closer to your course mates, you’ll need to use all of the skills you’ve acquired up to now—from sail theory to leadership to impeccable expedition behavior—in order to drive this large, complex sailboat.
Baja Ocean Semester
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| Duration: |
73 days |
| Age: |
18 and Over |
| Tuition: |
(Spring): $13,000
(Fall): $13,250 |
| Financial Aid Options: |
NOLS Scholarships
Federal Financial Aid |
| Dates: |
Feb. 5-April 19, 2008
WFA, Sea Kayaking, Sailing, Keelboat Sailing
Oct. 4-Dec. 17, 2008
WFA, Sea Kayaking, Sailing, Keelboat Sailing
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College Credit:
(Optional) |
16
Semester Credit Hours
2 Hours Biology
2 Hours Environmental Ethics
4 Hours Leadership Techniques
4 Hours Skills Practicum
4 Hours Risk Assessment |
| Course start: |
Mulege, BCS, Mexico |
| Course end: |
La Paz , BCS, Mexico |
| Equipment Deposit: |
$500 |
| Fly in: |
Loreto, BCS, Mexico |
| Fly out: |
La Paz , BCS, Mexico/ |
| Downloads: |
Course Description (pdf)
Equipment
List (pdf) |
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Next Steps
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Related Courses
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