Training

Rob Mercer’s “Balanced Boater” Sea Kayak Tuition

A Balanced Approach to Kayaking on the Sea

Balanced Boater Courses include:

· Personalised tuition

• Individual and in small groups
• Paddling on the open sea, “to keep it real”
• Provide exciting and challenging learning experiences in a fear free environment.
• Flexible delivery
• Tuition available mid week as well as weekend

Rob Mercer is a registered National Training Provider and also offers Tuition and Assessment to the Australian Canoeing Award Scheme for Sea Kayaking in: Sea Skills, Sea Leader, Sea Guide and Sea Instructor up to Level 3

Organise a group with 3 of your friends or work colleagues and receive a generous discount

Or, plan your own training to achieve your own goals in your own time. Together we can design a course that suits your needs and time constraints. (Highly recommended if you want quick results!)

Designing your own course

Many paddlers prefer individual tuition in specific skills or techniques at a time and place to suit their busy lifestyle. Lessons are available in 2 to 4 hour blocks at $55 per hour for individuals and $75 per hour for groups of 2 to 4. Call or e-mail me to discuss: robmercer@balancedboater.com

Mobile: 0417 227 627

PERSONAL TUITION MENU

Select from the menu below. ‘Mix and Match’ to design your own training program…

Learn To…	Description	Duration
A BALANCED PLAN	Paddling and Informal Assessment This is a short session to assess your current skills and design a program of training to help you achieve your personal kayaking goals.	2 hours
BALANCE POWER WITH STAMINA	Forward Paddling Workshop Getting ready for that Marathon or just wanting to paddle further and faster? This session includes a video critique and focuses on efficiency and injury prevention.	2-4 hours
BALANCE BOAT, BODY AND BLADE	Manoeuvring, Bracing and Boat Control Learn how to paddle your kayak without relying on a rudder. I will help you to tighten your turns, use your edges, go sideways, and keep you paddling on course.	2-4 hours
BALANCE PERSONAL SAFETY WITH TEAMWORK	Rescues and Towing at Sea Learn how to look after yourself and your mates when you go out paddling. This course covers capsizes, assisted rescues, paddle floats, deck carries, cowboy rescues, towing injured and ill paddlers, towing systems, and re-enter and roll.	2-4 hours
RESTORE BALANCE	Bracing and Rolling Increase your confidence so you feel more comfortable paddling in challenging conditions.	Individual tuition or group (max 3)
BALANCE ON THE EDGE	Practice your skills in the sea environment Give yourself an early mark from work and test your skills on open water in a carefully managed small group.	Mid week afternoon
BALANCE SKILL WITH STRATEGY	Weather and Navigation Two evening sessions designed to help you decide when to paddle and how to get from A to B. We will cover: demystifying weather jargon and how it relates to real paddling conditions; chart interpretation and plotting courses, bearings and headings to get you there.	2 evenings
BALANCE YOUR LIFESTYLE	Guided Coastal Trip Explore the Sydney coastline beyond the harbour. The wild beauty will surprise you and it is so close to the CBD. The trip will be tailored to suit the skill level of the group and the weather conditions on the day.	Full Day
BALANCE ON THE CREST OF A WAVE	Surf Skills Strategies for launching and landing safely in the surf zone. You will get wet in a positive and supportive learning environment.	Half to Full Day
BALANCE YOUR WORKING WEEK	Coastal Twilight Tours Enjoy a scenic coastal trip at sunset and watch as the colours of the majestic Sydney Heads are bathed in the late afternoon light.	Evenings
BALANCE SAFETY WITH CHALLENGE	Coastal Overnight Trip Build on your skills, prepare for a trip, live out of your kayak and enjoy. A weekend that you will be certain to remember!	Two Day

For further information or to book into a course:

e-mail robmercer@balancedboater.com

or phone Rob on 0417 227 627

Australian Canoeing Award Scheme Courses

These comprehensive Award Scheme Courses contain training from the speciality courses listed at left and combine them with land-based sessions into a holistic package to prepare you for assessment.

Course	Description	Duration	Cost
Introduction to Sea Skills	A complete package of skills and knowledge to get you started on the sea.	2 days	P.O.A
Sea Skills	Prerequisites: “Bracing and Rolling” course and the “Surf Skills” course. For paddlers with limited sea experience wanting to go to the next level.	2 days	P.O.A
Sea Leader	Prerequisite: Sea Skills Qualification	Negotiable	P.O.A
Sea Guide	Prerequisite: Sea Leader Qualification	Negotiable	P.O.A
Sea Instructor	Prerequisite: Sea Guide Qualification	Negotiable	P.O.A

At the completion of the above courses you will be given a summary of your progress and some suggestions for how to prepare for your assessment.

Assessment	Description	Duration	Cost
Introduction to Sea Skills	A good starting point for those wanting to pursue further Australian Canoeing Awards.	3 Hours	P.O.A
Sea Skills	Assessment to the Australian Canoeing Awards criteria. Includes surf, rolling, and rescues at sea. A written theoretical assignment forms part of this assessment.	One Day	P.O.A.
Sea Leader, Sea Guide and Sea Instructor	These assessments are designed to satisfy Australian Canoeing standards, and will test your ability to lead, guide, or instruct in the real context.	Negotiable	P.O.A.

For further information or to book into a course:

e-mail robmercer@balancedboater.com

or phone Rob on 0417 227 627

Rob Mercer

Advanced Sea Kayak Instructor (Level 3)

Phone: 0417 227 627