The mach one slalom team



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Step by step Process in Learning to paddle, go kayaking, and eventually get on a slalom team

THE MACH ONE SLALOM TEAM
Mach One Slalom Program in kayaking and canoeing

PAL Slalom League

We need to know that you are interested in kayaking or canoeing on a team basis so you should let us know by calling Dave Kurtz, Head Coach of Mach One, at 814-222-0052 or 814-237-7727 and leave a message with phone number to call back if needed. Or: send to d1k@psu.edu



Register formally by retrieving the Sign Up form from this website and mailing it in. You can first get the trial membership or if you are totally convinced you will make a go of it, pull down the full membership form. The form is actually the same…

Mach One begins the slalom experience in a step by step process. Regardless of the team a kid chooses to belong to, all new paddlers follow the following. These are:

 
I. The wet exit/self rescue. This step consists of five elements: 1. Instruction on holding a control paddle, 2. instruction on getting in and out of a boat, 3. an opportunity to paddle around a still or mild current water area for a minimum of 15 minutes, 4. the wet exit, and 5. self rescue. The wet exit involves an upset invoked by the paddler, the pull-free of the spray skirt, and the exit itself by the person while under water. This process may need to be done several times. The successful wet exit is a signal to the person that he or she is ready to continue the instructional program. The student then upsets in current, and shows how to get to the shore with the boat. Full instruction is given prior to getting into the kayak on each step of this process. It is expected that the paddler knows and can perform the swimming back stroke. Bring a change of clothes!!!
 
II. Stroke practice. The Basic Course. Strokes will be introduced one at a time with practice. Practice will generally include the use of the slalom gate which we have found will speed the learning a great deal. We cover the reverse sweep, forward sweep, stern draw, bow draw or Duffek, forward, and back strokes. Learning the strokes takes 3 or 4 sessions of 1-2 hours each. Following this we take a cruise on Lower Spring Creek to make a break and to show what river cruising is all about. At the end of stroke instruction we have a final exam which consists of a timed and scored 9-gate course. The goal will be to score within 200% of the instructor’s score. All told this sequence usually takes 12-14 hours or 6-7 sessions.

Please note:  Some individuals of any age find their first experience in a kayak may be super daunting. (fearful, intimidating). Let us know whenever this happens and we'll make provisions for a more gradual introduction to the great sport of kayaking!


 
There is a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 for each class. 

Classes are held roughly with the following schedule:


SPRING. Once a week, weekdays, at 16:00, 17:30, and 19:00
SUMMER. 3-5 day camps are held at various times. Check the web site for actual schedules. They can be Friday-Sunday, Monday through Friday in the afternoon, Monday through Friday all day, or some other schedule. We can schedule special times for small groups.
FALL. Once a week, weekdays, at 16:00, 17:30, and 19:00

Fees:  Kids and their parents cost $100 each. Included are a membership in Mach One. Liability coverage is obtained through USA Canoe/Kayak and is extra. All paddling equipment is provided.


Adults without kids: $120, and all paddling equipment is provided.


The course will be conducted by an individual(s) with Standard of Care qualification.
 

III. Kayaking Program Opportunities after the Basic Course Following the course paddlers will be encouraged to continue training (seasonal or up to 11 months of the year) and to enter the slalom racing program as well as river cruising activities. In the fall there are Penn Cup slaloms for beginner paddlers. In the Spring and summer there are a variety of slaloms which can keep the budding slalom champion busy. Mach One is an active and successful participant in US Junior Olympic Slalom activities. 
1. Mach One has a Junior Olympic Development Program. Under this we sponsor daily training exercises over 11 months of the year. Participation can be at the level of between 1 and 5 days a week, the more the stronger the paddler will be. Other boat classes are also encouraged, such as singles and doubles canoe. A fleet of plastic playboats are also available for freestyle paddling activities.

Christmas training camp. We usually have a Training camp between Christmas and New Years. Often this is held right here in Centre County, but in the past we have travelled as far as North Carolina and Atlanta. In certain years we could go to Texas, too.




  1. Participation in the Penn Cup Slalom Series. The slaloms are scheduled every fall as the Penn Cup Series for beginning paddlers.  All are on easy water. They are scheduled in August, September, and October.

Each of these races has a format of free training on the actually set course on the Saturday with clinics offered by the organizers and taught by quality junior or older paddlers. Mach One also offers clinics on a schedule between the "official" clinics.
 
The slaloms are all on Sunday. They usually finish in early afternoon.
 
Registration for each of these races occurs on an individual basis usually about 10 days in advance of the race. The cost for registration ranges from $5-15 for the first class plus smaller amounts for a second class.

  1. Participation in river cruising activities. We grab the opportunity to cruise rivers in usually day-long times where the schedule and water levels permit. Some areas have releases from dams to allow paddling in low water times. Paddling outside can frequently be done into December and start again in February or March. These cruises are both fun and very helpful in the development of skills.

4. Eskimo rolling is encouraged. We have a winter pool program at Penn State’s Natatorium and recently we have done rolling at a private pool in Bellefonte. Paddlers are then encouraged to learn the Eskimo roll and to try other classes, such as single and doubles canoeing (in slalom boats). We plan on having rolling sessions each summer.



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