Basic Sea Kayaking Course

This Tacoma Mountaineers once-a-year class is loaded with practical information, hands-on education, introduction to kayak gear, and an emphasis on paddling safety. Learn the basic paddling strokes, how to get back in your boat when you go over, basic trip planning & navigation, and how to recognize & avoid dangerous situations. No prior kayaking knowledge or experience is required to participate in the course. 

Participants should be moderately physically fit. Examples of this are the ability to lift 25 pounds over your head, walk briskly for one hour, lift yourself to the side of the pool without using a ladder, and have the flexibility to sit upright with legs on the floor straight in front of you. Successful completion and enjoyment of the course is reliant on this minimal level of fitness. 

The course consists of one classroom session, one pool session*, and one two-day open water session. To graduate, students must attend all the above listed sessions and complete two club-sponsored student paddles of at least 7 nautical miles by September 30. When you register for the course you will be automatically registered for the classroom, pool, and open water sessions. You will have opportunities to sign up for Tacoma Branch student paddles before they are open to the greater Mountaineers membership.

*The pool session will be April 20th 11am-2pm at Curtis High School. This will be added to the course online as a required activity. 

Students must also complete the Low Impact Recreation Course (free and online) and a Marine Mammal Protection Quiz that will be shared after registration. 

To register click on the blue "Apply" button to the right of this page and complete the Google form.  When that has been received and reviewed you will be notified that you can sign up for the class. 

The course is $250 for Mountaineers and $350 for non-members. 

A course manual and course syllabus will be available under the Course Materials Tab on March 1st.