A pod of kayaks paddles under a natural arch on Isla San Jose. Photo: Doug Wiedwald

B aja Sea Kayaking has it all—technical skills, incredible scenery, leadership practice, and unique opportunities for cultural exchanges.

On this course you’ll navigate the Sea of Cortez, carrying everything you need for your journey inside the hull of your sea kayak.

Your instructors will teach you how to maneuver this craft onto remote beaches surrounded by cliffs and how to handle the boat when waves and winds pick up. On land, you’ll practice cooking, Leave No Trace camping, and maybe some beginning Spanish.

Free diving is a special part of this course, and you’ll often spend afternoons exploring coastal reefs and the vast array of multi-colored fish that inhabit them. You may even have the opportunity to enjoy the catch of the day from local fishermen.

By the end of your expedition, you’ll walk away with the ability to lead your own sea kayaking adventure and an appreciation for this dramatic Mexican coastline.

The following sea kayaking skills will be taught on this course:

Technical Paddling Skills

• Basic forward, reverse, sweep, draw, and rudder strokes
• High, low, and skulling braces
• Kayak leaning and edging
• Wet exits
• Capsize recoveries in singles and doubles
• Paddle signals
• Rough water launching and landing
• Use of towing systems
• Eskimo rolling
• Basics of kayak surfing

• Interpretation of tides and currents
• Ocean hazard assessment
• Weather assessment
• An understanding of wind and wave dynamics
• Coastal navigation techniques, chart reading, and compass use

General Expeditioning Skills

• Vessel outfitting, care, and packing
• Route selection and expedition planning
• Vessel design and repair
• Use of signal devices, including flares and VHF radio

Baja Sea Kayaking 16 and Over Duration: 22 days Average Age: 23 Tuition: 2013: $3,610 Dates: 2013 January 4-January 25, 2013 February 28-March 21, 2013 October 16-November 6, 2013 College Credit: (Optional) 4 Semester Credit Hours 2 Hours Environmental Studies 2 Hours Leadership Techniques Course start/end: Mulege, BCS, Mexico Equipment Deposit: $225 Fly in/out: Loreto, BCS, Mexico Additional Information: Course Description (pdf) Equipment List (pdf)

Baja Sea Kayaking 23 and over (Average age 35) Duration: 14 days Average Age: 35 Tuition: $3,415 Dates: February 6-February 19, 2013 College Credit: (Optional) 2 Semester Credit Hours 2 Hours Environmental Studies Course start/end: Mulege, BCS, Mexico Equipment Deposit: $225 Fly in/out: Loreto, BCS, Mexico Additional Information: Course Description (pdf) Equipment List (pdf)

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