Expeditionary
Coast of Georgia Expedition: Tybee to Cumberland
Dates: March 24-April 1, 2012
Days: 9 Days, 8 Nights
Price: $1299
Trip Level:4 to 5
Base Trip Includes: 2 Nights Hotel/Inn Lodging, Meals (as described below), Coaching & Guidance
Group Size: 4-6
Trip Description
One of 2012's advancing paddler expeditions takes us to the coast of Georgia for a sea kayaking expedition along one of the East Coast's finest shorelines. Remote paddling, amazing scenery, spectacular wildlife viewing, Atlantic ocean surf, and open ocean paddling highlight this awesome sea kayak adventure.The Spirit of This Adventure
Experience sea in all it's moods...plan, harmonize, and play...make the key decisions as you lead...enjoy surf and tidal races...find satisfaction in planning, preparing and experiencing a sea kayak expedition...learn about yourself and the environment around you as you improve technical skills and seamanship...get away from the business of life and get into the rythyms of the sea, sun and sky!The Sea Kayaking Adventure
This expedition is designed for the advancing sea kayaker to experience the full range of paddling environments which the coast of Georgia provides. Launching from Tybee Island and heading to the open coast presents decisions to be made on when to paddle open water and when to paddle on the lee side of these barrier islands. Conditions build along the coast of Georgia and can be sustained for several days, so the decisions you make will be key in our ability to reach Cumberland Island. This journey is not only "goal oriented", but is focused on your experience. We'll take time to play where tide and waves meet, choose routes through dumping breakers, and improve your boat handling in surf!Who This Adventure Is For
If you're interested in the experiences described above, this may be the trip for you. Paddlers should have significant time spent in their boats and should have prior exposure to open water conditions (seas 3-5' and winds to 20 knots) and paddling in currents (tidal or whitewater). You do not need to be an "expert" to enjoy this experience as this trip is designed to be another step in your progression as a sea paddler. Depending on weather and destination for the day, we expect to paddle between 12-25 nautical miles each day, with some extra days planned for play paddling, on-land exploration and rest. Paddlers should expect to do some pre-expedition navigation exercises and trip planning. For a further informationof our L4 and L5 trips, please click on the "Difficulty Ratings" link above. We would recommend our GKC L4 Open Water Training or our Rough Water 2 Class as preparation for this expedition.The Guides/Coaches
This trip will be guided by Ryan Rushton, owner of Geneva Kayak and an ACA L5 Advanced Open Water Instructor Trainer, BCU 5 Star Paddler and leader of several of our Georgia sea kayak adventures. If our group reaches 5 or more paddlers, another high level ACA or BCU coach will be added. The role of the guide(s) on this trip is multi-faceted. The foremost goal of the guide(s) is to facilitate an enviroment where learning and growth are fostered. This trip is less about the guide(s) and more about each paddler's enjoyment and development on their path of progression as sea kayaker. The "goal" as coaches and guides is to facilitate leadership experiences, skill development during sessions including play paddling and navigation talks, and take advantage of other various coaching opportunities along the way. Our hope is to make this expedition "your experience" and less about being "guided". All that being said, we cook some darn good meals, provide a depth of knowledge about this enviroment and the sport, and allow you to expand your "ceiling" as a sea kayaker in a variety of advanced conditions, while providing a fun and safe enviroment to do so.What's Included
Included in the trip is transportation from Jacksonville, FL and back, one night's lodging on Tybee Island, all camping meals while on the expedition (does not include meals eaten out at restaurants) all cooking equipment and group equipment, and guide service. The cost of the trip does not include flights into Jacksonville, your kayak/kayak equipment, or guide gratuity.Itinerary
(subject to change due to weather & permit conditions)Day 1 – Saturday, March 24
Welcome to Georgia! Guides will meet trip participants at the airport in Jacksonville or at the rental home on Tybee Island. After the group has gathered on Tybee, we’ll prepare for the next day's launch.No meals are included on Day 1
Day 2-8 – Sunday, March 25 to Saturday, March 31
Following breakfast, we'll depart Tybe and paddle out to open water, with the ebbing tide. We'll head for the Atlantic Ocean and then spend our days exploring the coastline. While there are pre-determined camp spots, you choose when we get there and how. Our last night of camping will be on Cumberland Island.All meals are included on Days 2-9