You’ve been asking for it and now you’ve got it. This class will focus on the elements of hip snap development, high and low bracing and the Eskimo Roll. Either the "C to C" or Extended Paddle Roll will be taught depending upon student’s capabilities. Strength is not important in learning to roll…boat fit and flexibility are. So if you are ready to learn to roll that boat, here’s your chance. The class will be from 8:00 a.m. until Noon, at the Brighton High School Pool. Cost is $50 with your own gear, $65 with our gear. Registration is through Black Parrot Paddling, LLC. (734) 878-3689.

Beginner's Lake Sessions: Saturday, May 18, July 6, & August 31, 2002.

This course is oriented to beginners who are comfortable on the water with experience gained by canoeing or one of our four week pool courses. All the basic elements of the pool beginner's courses will be covered except the paddle float rescue is substituted for the Eskimo Roll. Students will have the opportunity to apply their new skills on an inland lake complete with possible wind and small wave action. Classes will be held at the West Boat Launch, Kensington Metro Park. Kensington Metro Park is north of I-96 at Kensington Road (Exit 150), East of Brighton, Michigan. Classes will begin at 9:00 a.m. and will conclude by approximately 5:00 p.m. Cost is $100 with our gear, $80 with your own gear. There is a daily use fee required for admission to Kensington Metro Park. Registration is through Black Parrot Paddling, (734) 878-3689. Classes are limited to 10 students.

Black Parrot Paddling will be participating in this symposium held at Big Blue Lake, Muskegon County, Michigan. Sea kayaks will be available for rent from Black Parrot Paddling, LLC., for use at the Symposium for $50 per day. Equipment rentals include boat, spray skirt, PFD, paddle, paddle leash, paddle float and hand pump. A limited number of wet suits will be available for an additional $25. Call (734) 878-3689 to reserve equipment. Equipment will be transported to and from the Symposium by Black Parrot Paddling, LLC. Contact Jon Van Wyk at (616) 669-1565 or Fred McConkey (616) 396-5036 for additional information concerning the West Michigan Coast Kayak Symposium. Reserve boats early.

Ron Smith, ACA Instructor Trainer and Laurie Levknecht, ACA Coastal Kayaking Instructor, will lead these workshops which focus on the how-to’s of quality instruction as candidates learn the essentials to teach paddling to others. During the Instructor Development Workshop candidates will give classroom presentations, learn to demonstrate skills and prepare lesson plans. All participants will have video analysis of their on-water skills. The focus will be on exploring different teaching strategies. This includes developing different methods of conveying information to students as well as examining how people learn. The three-day Instructor Certification Exam evaluates each candidate’s paddling skills and knowledge, teaching abilities and people skills. Candidates will receive written and verbal feedback as well as a critique of their on and off water teaching and paddling skills. Participation in both a IDW and ICE is necessary to be eligible for certification. Cost: IDW - $300, ICE - $300 plus appropriate ACA fees. Prepay in advance for both nets a 10% discount. Call (734) 878-3689 for additional information or to register. Prerequisite: Basic paddling skills.

Back By Popular Demand!!! Women Only Class In Fundamentals of Coastal Kayaking: Sat. & Sun., June 29 & 30 Muskegon State Park, Muskegon, MI. A unique experience…a kayaking course taught entirely by women for women only. ACA Coastal Kayaking Instructors Laurie Levknecht, Wendy Beckwith and Suzie Smith will conduct the American Canoe Association's Fundamentals of Coastal Kayaking course with a slant for addressing women’s issues in seakayaking. This 16 hour course will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 29 and conclude at approximately 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 30^th. The course, which is designed for enthusiastic beginners and intermediate paddlers will cover basic strokes, rescues, first aid equipment, navigation, marine hazards, landing in surf, weather and paddling, emergency signaling, kayaking equipment including clothing, packing a kayak and the Eskimo Roll. If the weather is good, all or part of the class will be conducted on Lake Michigan. If we get a strong wind, the class will be conducted on a suitable in land lake, one way or the other...we paddle. This is a camping weekend and a "pot luck" dinner will be held on Saturday night. There will be a small fee for State Park entry and camping. The course is limited to 14 participants and is $130 with your own gear, $170 with our gear. Call (734) 878-3689 to register.

Seakayak Navigation, Saturday, June 15, Kensington Metro Park. A thorough working knowledge of marine navigation will be conveyed to participants in this combination, classroom and "on the water practical" course. Participants will learn fundamentals of marine navigation including nautical chart reading, dead reckoning, piloting, rules of the nautical road, use of transits and compass. Class will be from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. Participants should come equipped to paddle and have a quality (Silva Ranger or similar type) hand held compass, water proof chart case as well as their lunch. The on the water practical will provide a challenging and instructive exercise with a surprise ending. Cost $65. Course is limited to 10 participants. Kayaking gear including a boat may be rented for the day for $35. Call (734) 878-3689 for more information or to register.

Black Parrot Paddling, LLC., will be participating in this symposium which will be held on Lake Superior at Grand Marais, Michigan. Sea kayaks will be available for rent from Black Parrot Paddling, LLC., for use at the Symposium for $45 per day. Equipment rentals include boat, spray skirt, PFD, paddle, paddle leash, paddle float and hand pump. A limited number of wet suits will be available for an additional $25. Call (734) 878-3689 to reserve equipment. Equipment will be transported to and from the Symposium by Black Parrot Paddling, LLC. Contact Joe Palm at (616) 347-2827 for additional information concerning the Symposium. Reserve boats early.

We are offering the following used boats for sale:

Current Designs Storm, 1998, Plastic, Choice of Blue or Grey. This is one of our class boats. Good shape w/rudder. $800

Current Designs Squall, 1998, Plastic, Choice of Yellow or Grey. Another one of our class boats and is the same design as the Storm above but smaller volume. Good Shape w/rudder. $800

West Side Boat Shop Wave Exceeds, 1999, Carbon Fiber/Kevlar layup. White deck w/ red and reflective silver stripping, carbon hull. 19’6" X 18", 26 pounds. This is a very challenging high performance boat for serious paddlers only. It was Ron’s first racing boat. Includes 4 float bags, paddle float rigging and keel rudder. $2350 Serious inquires only.

You can contact us at (734) 878-3689 after 7:30 pm or at ron@blackparrotpaddling.com, for more information on these boats.