PEDH 131 - Flatwater Kayaking and Whitewater Rafting

Credit Hours: 1
Lecture Hours: 0
Laboratory Hours: 2

Prerequisite(s): Basic swimming skills (must pass a swim test at the start of the course)

Restriction(s): Adventure Recreation, Park & Outdoor Recreation, and Physical Education majors only

Corequisite(s): None

This course is an introduction to basic flatwater kayaking and white-water rafting. It includes discussions on history benefits, conditioning, craft selection, equipment, health and safety considerations, basic paddling skills, rescue techniques, anatomy of water, trip planning, and leadership skills. A kayaking and rafting experience is required. Each student must be able to: swim50 yards (1 lap) in a swimming pool with a depth over nine feet; tread water for 5 minutes; be capable of sustained physical exertion. A course fee will be required for registration in this course.

Student Learning Outcomes of the Course:

The student will be able to swim one complete lap in the pool and tread water for five minutes. The student will be able to physically paddle a watercraft for periods of 2-5 hours.
The student will wear appropriate clothing and be able to identify, describe, and utilize various types of paddle sports equipment
The student will develop a basic proficiency with skills related to flat water paddle sports
The student will practice group safety guidelines and environmental stewardship during paddling trips. The student will develop a basic proficiency in personal and group rescue skills