Kayak Building Course
at St. Johnsbury Academy
For classes held at Lyndon Center Campus
Contact Doug Pilotte | 802-626-0191 Doug.Pilotte@lyndoninstitute.org
Registration form for courses at Lyndon Institute.
For classes held at St. Johnsbury Campus
Contact Kathy Daley | 802-748-7738 kdaley@stjacademy.org
Registration form for courses at St. Johnsbury Academy.
Kayak Building Course, June 13-20, 2011
If you would enjoy building and paddling your own ultra-light, Eskimo style Kayak, costing half as much as a full size heavy plastic boat, this is the right course for you.
Ladies, in particular, will love these lightweight, native style kayaks. Building your own is both fun and cost effective. In just one week you will have a kayak that weighs less than 30 pounds, is easy to carry, fast and responsive to paddle. Total Cost is $900, teachers $850, students $800, with a rudder $1000, or you can ask for a reduced fee scholarship. (Some comparisons: Most kayak building workshops run $1300-1600. Cheap retail plastic models are heavy and slow, while light weight kayaks, made of carbon fiber, run $3000-4000.)
The class meets eight days, from 8-4, (adjustable to suit your schedule) in the Academy’s excellent wood working shop. All tools and materials provided, and few carpentry skills are needed. Extensive course preparation has reduced building time to a minimum. Class size is limited so register early. Choose the design and colors you want. Options include 10 foot junior size, 16 and 17 foot Sea Kayaks, double cockpit, or a 19 foot High Performance racing craft. Family members can enroll together and share in an enjoyable team building project.
The designs are based on traditional skin covered kayaks used for thousands of years by Inuit Eskimo to hunt seals. The ability to make seaworthy kayaks was a key skill to Inuit survival, and an essential part of the native Arctic culture and way of life.
If time permits other options include: carving a Greenland paddle, making a custom-fit seat, or building a car top boat rack. The last day is spent on the water learning to get the most out of your new beautiful new craft.
Registration closes May 30. Send for more information, reliot@charter.net or phone Rick at 802-626-5226.
Rick Eliot
Monday to Monday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Woodworking shop | St. Johnsbury Academy
June 14 to 21
Tuition: $900 | Students and School Teachers $850 | SJA Students $800