Sea Kayaking Course
Basic Sea Kayaking Course
Learn how to paddle safely and efficiently. Learn about navigation, seamanship, kayaks and equipment, and conservation principles. Learn how to get back into your boat if you capsize.
Contacts
- Sat, May 2, 2015 - Mon, Aug 31, 2015
- Committee: Kitsap Sea Kayaking Committee
- Members: $180.00
- Availability: FULL (14 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
The course includes over nine hours of classroom instruction, three hours in the swimming pool, and two days of on-the-water instruction. Topics covered include kayak & gear selection, tides, currents, navigation, weather, paddler fitness, outdoor ethics, and paddle strokes.
Classroom & Pool: May 2-3 Open water training: May 9-10. Location: Poulsbo, WA
Participants who successfully complete the course are eligible to go on appropriate level Mountaineer paddle trips.
To sign up, one must first be a member of the Mountaineers (join by clicking Membership button at top of page). For information about boats and equipment, click on the blue "Required Equipment" button further down this page.
To complete the course, one must do the following: (1) Swim 50 yards without flotation; (2) Attend all classroom & pool sessions; (4) Successfully participate in two Mountaineers paddles no later than the last day of August; (5) Complete a Mountaineer-led conservation project.
The course textbook is Sea Kayaking Illustrated by John Robison, 2003 edition.
Please contact Charlie Michel at (360) 710-0616 or michel99@btopenworld.com with any questions, and prior to registering, and, if you are not yet a Mountaineer member, prior to joining.
Note: in case of adverse weather, the open water session will be postponed to May 16-17.
More information and photos can be viewed at kitsapmountaineers.org.
Badges you will earn:
Basic Sea Kayaking Course
This course has no scheduled activities.
Stewardship Credit
For the open-water sessions on May 9th & 10th, each student will need a sea kayak with floatation in both ends, a personal floatation device, a spray skirt, appropriate footwear, a dry suit, gloves, neoprene hood, and a kayak paddle. If you do not have your own equipment, you can rent everything you need except gloves and neoprene hood, which you will need to source. We suggest participants not purchase paddling gear (with some exceptions) until after the classroom and open water sessions. If you already own your kayak and gear and wish to use them in the course, please discuss with the course coordinator.
You must register for this course to see course materials.