Basic Sea Kayaking Course

REGISTRATION NOTES 

 If you wish to register please click the blue "apply" button and fill out the application form. Once you submit the form you may finish your registration on this page by clicking the checkbox verifying you have completed the application and clicking the yellow "register" button. You are not 100% registered until you complete both steps and receive confirmation of payments.

INSTRUCTORS: If you will be helping in the pool and/or lake you will also need to register for our Train the trainer. 

Course Overview: Learn basic paddling strokes, how to get back in when 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 will 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: There are no formal prerequisites, however, kayaking requires good physical condition, a positive mental attitude, a significant commitment of time and effort, and a lot of kayaking gear. Most gear can be rented for the course and the required student paddles needed to graduate.

Physical Capabilities:

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). (Needed so you can get back in your boat when you fall out.)
• Have adequate upper body strength and mobility to lift 25 lbs. over your head. (Needed to be able to load your kayak on a car with assistance.)
• Have enough complete body flexibility to be able to (Needed to be able to comfortably be able to sit in a kayak for multiple hours.):
  • 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 on a sustained basis for at least 2 hours at a time, with occasional rest stops.
• Be able to swim 50 yards 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 (similar to the motion you use to climb back in your kayak).
• 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.). This will increase your enjoyment and chance of success in the course.

Eligibility: The course is open to Mountaineer members, age 18 and over.  In certain situations we may consider allowing 16 or 17 year olds to attend with a parent. Contact course leader if you would like to discuss.

Course Registration and Enrollment: Course is limited to 16 students on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Join the Mountaineers, complete  application form and then sign up and pay for the course.  Enrollment will close when the course fills or on March 15, 2024, 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 last lecture and before September 30, 2024.
• Complete Low Impact Recreation Badge requirements (free online course).
• 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, appropriate clothing and paddling essentials
      • Introduction to paddle strokes
    • 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 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:  April 4, 2024,  6PM to 9PM at Snohomish PUD, 2320 California St., Everett
• 2 Zoom Lecture Sessions on April 11 and April 18, we will begin at 6PM.  Duration will vary but will be no longer than two hours.
• Pool Session: April 20, 2024  from 3:45PM to 8PM at Evergreen Aquatics Center in Seattle
• Open Water Session is April 27, 2024, 8AM to 5PM, Lake Sammamish State Park
• 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, pool session, and open water session is required to complete the course, so please plan accordingly. There is no protocol for make-up sessions.

Questions? Call Cathie Frizalone at 425-829-8505 or email at Cathiefrizalone@yahoo.com