Introduction To Kayaking

NWIPA will host a beginning kayak class on Sunday morning, July 7, at 9:00 am on Robinson Lake in Hobart, IN. Participants will learn kayaking safety, boat types and features, and basic paddling strokes. Plenty of time is available to practice with the instructor. If you are interested in buying a kayak, this class will teach you how to choose the right boat for you. On request, a kayak, life vest, and paddle can be made available.

Tickets are $60 for NWIPA member, and $75 for the public. You may join NWIPA now by clicking here, but we will offer NWIPA membership to anyone that attends the class.

To participate you must be 18 or older, or 12 or older and accompanied by a responsible adult. Make sure to select the correct ticket, indicating whether you are a member or public, and whether you will bringing your own kayak or need to borrow one.

We'll contact you at the email and phone you provide if the the event is cancelled due to bad weather or if the class does not meet the required 4 participant minimum.

• You must be 18 years old or older, or a child 12 years old or older and accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• All participants must register via Eventbrite (see REGISTER button on this page). Each participant must register separately.
• You will receive an email that provides directions, and your ticket. Please bring all tickets with you.
• Registering means that you have read and agree with our Waiver Of Liability, below. The Waiver applies to you and/or the minor on whose behalf you are registering.
• All participants MUST wear a Coast Guard-approved life vest, properly fitted and secured, all the time they are on the water.
• You may supply your own boat(s) for the event or borrow a kayak from NWIPA. Chose the correct 'ticket' based on whether you will use your own boat or NWIPA's, and whether you are a NWIPA member or no.
• If for any reason you cannot attend the event after registering, please come back to Eventbrite and cancel your registration at least 48 hours prior to the event. That way you will not prevent another person from being able to attend or borrow a boat if we reach capacity. Thank you! Refunds will not be made for cancellation within 48 hours of the event, unless NWIPA cancels for weather or other resaons.

IN CONSIDERATION of being permitted to participate in any way in the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association, Inc., (“NWIPA”) sports and recreation program and related activities (“Activities”) in La Porte, Porter and Lake counties, subject to Indiana state law, for myself (or for a minor for whom I am a parent and/or legal guardian), my personal representatives, assigns, heirs, and next of kin:

1. I ACKNOWLEDGE, agree, and represent that I understand the nature of paddle sports and related activities and that I am qualified, in good health, in proper physical condition to participate in such Activities and willingly agree to comply with the stated and customary terms and conditions of participation. SPECIFICALLY, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE READ AND MEET THE ACCESSIBILITY AND ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA LISTED BELOW. I further agree and warrant that if at any time I believe conditions to be unsafe, I will immediately discontinue further participation in the Activities. If I decide to leave early and not complete the trip as planned, I assume all risks inherent in my decision to leave.

ASSUMPTION OF RISK

2. I FULLY UNDERSTAND that: (a) Paddle sports and related ACTIVITIES INVOLVE RISKS AND DANGERS OF DAMAGE TO PERSONAL PROPERTY AND SERIOUS BODILY INJURY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO PERMANENT DISABILITY, PARALYSIS, AND DEATH (“RISKS”); (b) these Risks and dangers may be caused by my own actions or inactions, the actions or inactions of others participating in the Activities, the condition in which the Activities take place, or THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE “RELEASEES” NAMED BELOW; (c) there may be OTHER RISKS AND SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC LOSSES either not known to me or not readily foreseeable at this time; and I FULLY KNOW THE INHERENT RISKS OF THE ACTIVITIES, UNDERSTAND THOSE RISKS, APPRECIATE THOSE RISKS, AND ACCEPT AND ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS AND ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOSSES, COSTS, AND DAMAGES I incur as a result of my participation or that of the minor in the Activities.

WAIVER OF NEGLIGENCE

3. I HEREBY RELEASE, DISCHARGE, AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE the American Canoe Association, Inc., NWIPA, their respective ACA certified instructor trainers, certified instructor trainer educators, administrators, directors, agents, officers, members, volunteers, and employees, other participants, any sponsors, advertisers, partners and, if applicable, owners and lessors of premises on which the Activities takes place, (each considered one of the “RELEASEES” herein) FROM ALL LIABILITY, CLAIMS, DEMANDS, LOSSES, INJURIES, DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, OR OTHER DAMAGES ON MY ACCOUNT CAUSED OR ALLEGED TO BE CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THE ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE OF THE “RELEASEES” OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING NEGLIGENT RESCUE OPERATIONS, for the duration of the event.

INDEMNIFICATION

4. I FURTHER AGREE that if, despite this RELEASE AND WAIVER LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT, I or on my behalf of the signer, spouse, heirs, administrators, and assigns, makes a claim against any of the RELEASEES, I WILL INDEMNIFY, REIMBURSE, DEFEND, SAVE, AND HOLD HARMLESS EACH OF THE RELEASEES from any litigation expenses, attorney fees, court costs, investigative costs, loss, liability, damage, or cost which any may incur as the result of such claim.

5. This is to acknowledge that I/we authorize use of any pictures taken during NWIPA sanctioned events to be used on the Website, Facebook Page, Newsletters, online albums, and other related material.

6. I agree to WEAR A COAST GUARD APPROVED LIFE VEST (PFD) and will NOT USE ALCOHOL or MIND IMPAIRING DRUGS during the paddling event.

7. All fees are non-refundable. NWIPA reserves the right to postpone or cancel the event due to circumstances beyond our control such as a natural disaster or emergency or as required to protect the safety of participants and staff. No refunds will be issued under these circumstances. We reserve the right to change the details of the event without prior notice. I understand that any fee is nonrefundable and non-transferable. I acknowledge (or a parent or adult guardian for all children under 18 years) having read and agreed to the above release and waiver including the no refund policy.

SEVERABILITY

If any provision of this Agreement is held illegal or unenforceable in a judicial proceeding, such provision shall be severed and shall be inoperative, and, provided that the fundamental terms and conditions of this Agreement remain legal and enforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall remain operative and binding on the Parties.

WARNING

Under Indiana law, an agritourism provider is not liable for an injury to, or the death of, a participant in agritourism activities at this location if the death or injury results from the inherent risks of agritourism Activities. Inherent risks of agritourism activities include risks of injury inherent to land, equipment, and animals as well as the potential for you to act in a negligent manner that may contribute to your injury or death, or for other participants to act in a manner that may cause you injury or cause your death. You are assuming the risk of participating in these agritourism Activities.

NWIPA Photography

Please note that photographs and footage will be taken throughout the Activities. These will be used by the University for marketing and publicity in our publications, on our website and in social media or in any third-party publication. Please contact the event organizer ([email protected]) if you have any concerns or if you wish to be exempted from this activity.

Accessibility and Essential Eligibility Criteria (EECs)

NWIPA and our partners strive to make our events as inclusive and accessible as possible. In order for us to conduct safe paddling events for our participants, all paddlers need to be able to perform the following essential eligibility criteria:

1. Breathe independently (i.e., not require medical devices to sustain breathing);

2. Independently maintain sealed airway passages while under water;

3. Independently hold head upright without neck / head support;

4. Manage personal care independently or with assistance of a companion;

5. Manage personal mobility independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance;

6. Follow instructions and effectively communicate independently or with assistance of a companion; and,

7. Affirm no health problems that preclude participation and has skill and fitness level to participate safely.

I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT, FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, UNDERSTAND THAT I (OR A MINOR FOR WHOM I AM A PARENT AND/OR GUARDIAN) AM VOLUNTARILY PARTICIPATING IN THE ACTIVITIES AND HAVE VOLUNTARILY GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT AND HAVE SIGNED THIS AGREEMENT FREELY AND WITHOUT ANY INDUCEMENT OR ASSURANCE OF ANY NATURE AND INTEND THIS AGREEMENT TO BE A COMPLETE AND UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF ALL LIABILITY OF THE RELEASEES TO THE GREATEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY THE LAW AND AGREE THAT IF ANY PORTION OF THIS AGREEMENT IS HELD TO BE INVALID THE BALANCE, NOTWITHSTANDING, SHALL CONTINUE IN FULL.

Host or Publisher Northwest Indiana Paddling Association