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BCU Week 2008
Schedule  
Registration Information Form

Sea Kayak Georgia Skills Symposium and BCU Week
October 17 through 21, 2008


         

New BCU Curriculum
One and Two Star Training and Assessment
3 Star Sea Training and Assessment
4 Star Sea Training with Nigel Dennis and Fiona Whitehead

Canoe Star Level Training and Assessments
Level 1 Coach Training and Assessment
Exploration Series
Skills Development Courses for all levels
Naturalist Day Paddle

The British Canoe Union is currently in the process of updating programming to modernize an already outstanding system. This year's symposium will offer courses that bridge the transition from old to new. All the BCU skills development courses offered will be from the new curriculum. The new Level One Coach course is offered and Level Two and Three Coach Assessments from the old system are scheduled for those students still in need of these programs.

Sea Kayak Georgia looks forward to hosting the 2008 symposium to allow paddlers to come together as a community to give and receive knowledge, to see old friends and welcome new ones. Courses are available for all skill levels and everyone is invited to attend.

The Symposium is planned around the highest tides of the year. The high tides lend themselves to challenging conditions for the advanced classes and flood the marshes with higher water than usual. The marshes become an excellent calm water training ground. Navigation through flooded creeks enables us to offer the Exploration Series and the Naturalist Day Paddle.

This year Bryan Smith, Reel Water Productions will be at our event looking for filming possibilities for his new film Eastern Horizons. Check out his blog for regular updates as he and his wife Lise-Anne Beyries film their way along the entire East Coast of North America. Bryan is also a BCU coach and will join us in our coaching and presenter schedule. If you haven't already watched Pacific Horizons, consider viewing it as homework before the symposium. Call us if you need a copy.

SKG is also very honored to present the North American Premier of Justine Curgenven's
This is The Sea 4
. Award winning film-maker Justine Curgenven showcases some of the world’s most outstanding sea kayaking destinations in this entertaining video which is guaranteed to inspire you to get out on the water. Two of the films stars, Shawna Franklin and Leon Somme will present the premier and discuss their role in the film. Other stars from the film are sure to join in during the presentation. This is a great chance to hear first hand from the paddlers about their experiences during filming.

Two group dinners will be offered. Presentations will be given by different coaches every evening around 7:30 to 8:00.

The information below offers most of the details, we are happy to answer questions, help you plan, and receive your registration by phone: 888 529 2542.

Registration:
The cost for the symposium week includes five days of training, October 17 through October 21.
Friday-Tuesday $750, Ala Carte $150 per day, Dinners $35 per person
Gear Rental: Helmet $10/day, or $25/5 days, pump $12/1-5 days Gear Rental
Fiberglass rentals $300 for 5 days or $75 per day
Extra T shirts $20.00

A limited number of plastic boats are available for rent on first come first served basis $100 for the week or $40 per day. Fiberglass kayaks may be rented for $300 for five days or $75 per day. The SKUK Nigel Dennis Romany Surf RM may be rented for $200 for five days or $60 per day.

Two group dinners, Friday night Oyster Roast and Monday night Island Extravaganza are available for $35 per person per dinner. If you don't sign up for the dinners at the time of registration you may register up until October 1. Participants may purchase dinners for invited guests who are not taking classes during the symposium.

There's a sample registration form that gives you all the details. It's best to give us a call and register by phone. That way you'll get the most up-to-date list of what courses are still available and we can discuss what you will need for your classes. It's toll free: 888-KAYAK-GA (888-529-2542).

Information for those who have registered. INFO

Cancellation Policy:
Right up front, this has to be pretty strict. We're flying a great many top level coaches to Georgia during the middle of hurricane season (because we also have our best conditions of the year when there is no hurricane). We also have a limited number of slots, determined by the BCU instructor-to-student ratios. We're committed to the coaches, the airlines and the lodging, regardless of how the weather or any given assessment turns out. Therefore, no refunds will be given inside 90 days for pretty much any imaginable reason, including hurricanes, or unexpected delays in progression. Because of this, we strongly recommend that you purchase trip insurance. Cancellations outside of 90 days qualify for an 80% refund.

Lodging Info:

  • The Outdoor Inn: is located right next door to Sea Kayak Georgia, be our neighbor for the week. Please give them a call for reservations. 404-496-4691.
  • Ocean Plaza Beach Resort: is reserving a block of rooms for our event. Please give them a call to discuss ocean view and pool side rooms. 800-786-7777.
  • River's End Campground 800-786-1016 On Tybee Island has tent and RV sites.
  • All Tybee Island accommodations can be viewed at www.tybeeisland.com

Meals:
Dinners will be offered on two evenings (Friday and Monday) at $35 per dinner - advance payment and registration required, it's best to sign up with your registration, but if you are waiting we need to know by October 1. Vegetarian options are available at both dinners.
Paddlers will be responsible for their own breakfast and lunch. There is a small grocery store, Tybee Market, on the island, and larger chain grocery stores 10 miles inland on Wilmington Island. There is also a selection of restaurants on Tybee.

Evening Presentations:
Prior to each evening presentation we will have a social hour for students and coaches to gather and discuss the day's events. Presentations will be held at Sea Kayak Georgia.

Each evening we will have one or several guest speakers to share their kayaking adventures from around the world. These presentations are included with registration.

Getting Here:
Tybee Island lies approximately 20 minutes east of Savannah, Georgia, at the end of US Highway 80. By car, take I-95 to I-16, follow I-16 until it ends on Montgomery Street, take first right onto Liberty Street, travel east to East Broad Street, turn left, then turn right at second light onto President Street. President Street (Islands Expressway) merges with Highway 80 East at Whitemarsh Island. Continue east approximately 10 miles to Tybee Island. Sea Kayak Georgia is on the right about 1.5 miles past the Lazaretto Creek Bridge (1102 Highway 80.) The Savannah International Airport is about 30 miles west of Tybee and the Amtrak station is about 20 miles inland near downtown Savannah.

Parking Passes:
Tybee Island has new machines that you can purchase parking passes from at all parking areas. You can use the parking pass machines if you arrive early or stay after the symposium. We will offer parking passes for symposium dates at a reduced rate that can be purchased at Sea Kayak Georgia upon arrival. These passes will only be good for the dates printed on the pass. Paddlers will be responsible for any parking tickets they incur.

To register or ask questions, please call us at 888-529-2542 or 912-786-8732, or email us at info@seakayakgeorgia.com.

SKG BCU WEEK 2006 Photos
SKG BCU WEEK 2007 Photos

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