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Summer class in session

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Editor’s note: Former Orange Coast College basketball and softball

player Christen D’Alessandro, a summer intern for the sports

department, was assigned the arduous task last Saturday of kayaking

in the Back Bay waters. This is her report.

To try something fun and different, head over to the Newport

Aquatic Center in Newport Beach and enjoy taking a kayaking class

Saturday starting at 10 a.m.

The Newport Aquatic Center has classes for beginners to learn the

basics of kayaking. This class teaches stopping, turning, paddling

the right way and much more.

“I teach how to get back over if they flip and how to paddle

without getting tired,” said Kevin Bedolla, who has been an

instructor at NAC for six years.

Many types of people come to kayak for many different reasons.

Scott and Sheila Craun from Trabuco Canyon just bought their own

kayaks and wanted to learn how to use them correctly.

“We decided since our son is going to college we need something

fun to do,” Craun said.

Jennifer Smissen from Irvine just loves the water.

“I’ve never tried kayaking and I’m in the office all day and I

want to get out and about,” Smissen said.

The class was informative and enjoyable. After taking the class, a

person is ready to go out kayaking anywhere without any further

instruction.

“I’m surprised. I thought it’d be harder than this and I thought

I’d be more scared, but I’m not,” Smissen said. “It’s so peaceful.”

One of the best places to try kayaking for the first time is in

the Back Bay. Kayaks are rented out at the Newport Aquatic Center at

$12 an hour for a single and $18 an hour for a double.

Anyone and everyone can enjoy the kayaking experience at the

Newport Aquatic Center and the Saturday morning class is recommended

for beginners.

Newport Aquatic Center is located at One Whitecliff Drive.

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