NOLS - Baja Sea Kayaking

  Mexico

• Baja: 
Bahia de Los Angeles,  La Paz,  Loreto

Term: Winter 
Dates: January 4-January 25, 2009; March 4-March 25, 2009; October 21-November 11, 2009

Description: The Baja sea kayaking expedition has it all--technical skills, incredible scenery, ample leadership opportunities, and a hefty dose of Mexican culture. On this course you'll travel along the coastline of the Sea of Cortez, where the Sonoran desert meets the sea.

You'll travel by sea kayak, carrying everything you need inside the boat's hull for your journey. Your instructors will teach you how to maneuver this craft into remote beaches surrounded by cliffs and how to handle the boat when waves and winds begin to pick up. On land, you'll practice cooking, Leave No Trace camping and beginning Spanish.

As you move down the coast, you'll see a land where cactus abound, as do dolphins, sea lions and sea turtles. Skin diving is a special part of this course, and you'll be able to spend your afternoons exploring coastal reefs and the vast array of multi-colored fish that inhabit them. You may have the opportunity to catch and prepare fish for your fellow students, or, if you prefer, to barter with local fishermen for their catch of the day.

By the end of your expedition, you'll walk away with the ability to lead your own sea kayaking adventure and an appreciation for this dramatic Mexican wilderness.

The following sea kayaking skills will be taught on this course:

Technical Paddling Skills

    * Basic forward, reverse, sweep, draw and rudder strokes
    * High, low and skulling braces
    * Kayak leaning and edging
    * Wet exits
    * Capsize recoveries in singles and doubles
    * Paddle signals
    * Rough water launching and landing
    * Use of towing systems
    * Eskimo rolling
    * Basics of kayak surfing

Ocean Travel Skills
Seamanship, including all of the following:

    * Interpretation of tides and currents
    * Ocean hazard assessment
    * Weather assessment
    * An understanding of wind and wave dynamics
    * Coastal Navigation techniques, chart reading and compass use

General Expeditioning Skills

    * Vessel outfitting, care and packing
    * Route selection and expedition planning
    * Vessel design and repair
    * Use of signal devices, including flares and VHF radio

Highlights:
College Credit:
(Optional)

4 Semester Credit Hours:
2 Hours Environmental Ethics
2 Hours Leadership Techniques

Cost in US$: $3,105

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Mexico Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Scholarships are Available. - Each year NOLS offers over $800,000 dollars in scholarship assistance. Scholarship aid is available to applicants who show great potential to excel as NOLS students and who would be unable to attend without financial aid. These scholarship dollars are made available through the generosity of alumni and friends to the NOLS Fund. Our graduates realize the great impact a NOLS education has and volunteer both time and money to further the school's mission.

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Job and Internship Network

NOLS The National Outdoor Leadership School's Mission Statement: The mission of the National Outdoor Leadership School is to be the leading source and teacher of wilderness skills and leadership that serve people and the environment.

Year Founded: 1965