Basic Sea Kayaking Course

The Everett Chapter Sea Kayaking Committee invites you to its Basic Sea Kayaking Class. This is a once-a-year offering that will provide you with a thorough and safe introduction to the great world of sea kayaking.  Learn the basic paddling strokes, how to get back in if you end up out of your boat and in the water, trip planning, proper and necessary equipment, and important safety guidelines and procedures. On top of all of this you'll meet a great bunch of new friends that you'll enjoy paddling with during and after the class.

To participate in Mountaineer-sponsored kayak trips, you must be a graduate or continuing student of this course or have received equivalency. While this class is for members only we'd love to have you as a Mountaineers member so join first then register for the course!

Course Prerequisites:

• All Students, Instructors, and Assistants will provide official documentation that they are fully vaccinated for Covid 19.  Everyone will wear masks during all in-person contact (indoors and outdoors) per Mountaineers guidelines.  Read Covid-19 links and information at the top of this page.  We will be following the protocol for Vaccine Verification as developed for the Vaccine Verification Badge: COVID-19 Vaccine — The Mountaineers
• There are no formal prerequisites other than the vaccine protocols.  Kayaking requires good physical condition (see below), a positive mental attitude, a significant commitment of time and effort, and a compliment of kayaking gear.

Physical Capabilities:

The course is designed to teach the basics of SEA kayaking.  It will teach active water paddling in currents and waves and involve paddling in the Salish Sea.

The course is open to those who acknowledge the ability to meet all the following requirements:

• Breathe independently (i.e., not require medical devices to sustain breathing).
• Independently maintain sealed airway passages while under water.
• Independently hold head upright without neck/head support.
• Manage personal care independently without assistance.
• Follow instructions and effectively communicate independently without assistance.
• Independently turn from face-down to face-up and remain floating face up while wearing a properly fitted Personal Flotation Device (PFD) aka “life jacket”.
• Have adequate upper body strength and mobility to perform a minimum of five push-ups (from knees or toes).
• Have adequate upper body strength and mobility to lift 25 lbs. over your head.
• Have enough complete body flexibility to be able to:
  • From a standing or sitting position, bend at the waist and touch your toes.  Bending the knee is OK.
  • Sit upright on the floor with legs straight out in front.
• Have enough body strength, flexibility, and stamina to engage in physically demanding exercise (sea kayaking) on a sustained basis for 1-1/2 to 2 hours at a time, with occasional rest stops.
• Be able to walk at a 2-1/2 to 3 mph pace for one hour on flat ground.
• Be able to swim two - 25-yard lengths back-to-back in a pool without a PFD or other swim aid.  Any style of swimming is acceptable.  The Pool Session begins with this simple swim test.  It is not a race and no time records are recorded.
• Be able to lift yourself to the edge of the pool and get out without a ladder.
• Be able to hold your breath under water for extended periods (30+seconds) and to do so repeatedly with very short intervals between.

 Students are strongly encouraged to engage in physical exercise 1 hour a day, 3-5 times per week, before and during the course (yoga, walking, running, biking, swimming, etc.). Being fit will increase your enjoyment and chance of success in the course.

Eligibility: The course is open to Mountaineer members, age 18 and over, or 16 years old when a parent or guardian is also taking the class.

Course Registration and Enrollment: Course is limited to 16 students on a first-come, first-serve basis. Payment and enrollment process is through the Mountaineers Program Center or website.  Join the Mountaineers and then sign up and pay for the course as a member.  Enrollment will close when the course fills or on March 31, 2022, whichever comes first.

Graduation Requirements:

• Attend all scheduled course meetings including in-person and on-line.
• Satisfactorily complete pool and open water sessions.
• Satisfactorily complete two student paddles after Open Water session and before September 30, 2022
• Membership in Mountaineers.
• Have or earn your Low Impact Recreation Badge
• All requirements must be completed by September 30 of the course year.

Course Structure and Dates:

• The course is a combination of in-person and on-line learning. 
  • In-person lectures and activities are:
    • In Person Lecture which will include:
      • Intro to course and appropriate details
      • Demonstration/explanation of gear including boats, paddles, pfd's, other gear
      • Introduction to paddle strokes
      • Presentation on appropriate clothing and paddling essentials
    • Pool Session will include:
      • Instruction, demonstration, and practice in capsizing the boat, getting out, and getting back in using self-rescue and assisted rescue techniques
    • Open Water Session will include:
      • Self and assisted rescue practice
      • Instruction and practice in paddling and boat handling techniques
  • On-Line Lectures
    
    •  We will be using Zoom for the lectures.  You will need a computer with internet access.  Links will be sent prior to each on-line lecture.
    • Topics will expand on the On-Line Learning Modules, review homework assignments, and answer general questions from students regarding the On-Line Learning modules
  • On-Line Learning
    • Will be a series of self-paced computer modules that you'll work through at your own pace over the course of four weeks.  The modules will be cover navigation, trip planning, safety equipment, cold-water/hypothermia causes and prevention, Leave-No-Trace etiquette and skills, and other critical sea kayaking information.   The link to the On-Line Learning modules will be sent to you about one week before the In-Person Lecture. 

• In Person Lecture Date is:
  •  Thursday April 7, 2022.  Lecture will be at the Snohomish County Search and Rescue Headquarters commonly referred to as Taylor's Landing.  5506 Old Machias Rd., Snohomish WA 98290. We will be in Building B2.  Class is from 6PM-9PM.
• On-Line Lecture Dates are: 
  • Thursday April 14, 2022
  • Thursday April 21, 2022
  • They will begin at 6PM.  Duration will vary but will be no longer than two hours.
• Pool Session Date is:
  •  Saturday April 16, 2022, Location is the Lake Stevens High School Pool. Session will run from 3:30PM to 8:30PM.
• Open Water Session Date is:
  •  April 30, 2022.  Location is Lake Sammamish State Park.  Session will run from 8AM to 5PM.
• Student paddles are available throughout the summer.  We will provide a list of qualifying student paddles during the course and explain how to find them on the Mountaineers website.

Attendance at all Lectures (Live and On-Line), Pool Session, and Open Water Session (plus two student paddles after Open Water Session and before 9/30/22) is required to complete the course, so please plan accordingly. There is no protocol for make-up sessions.

Questions? Call Bill Coady at 541-880-8222 or email at billcoady@outlook.com