Basic Sea Kayaking Course

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The 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.
The course consists of one classroom session, one pool session, two open water sessions and two kayak paddles. The classroom session will be held on April 1, 2017 from 8:00 - 5:00 pm at the Tacoma Mountaineers Clubhouse, 2302 N 30th St. Tacoma, WA 98403.

The pool session (including a swim test) will be held from 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm on April 9 at the Peninsula High School pool in Gig Harbor. The class will be divided into two sessions 1:00 to 4:00pm and 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Only sign up for ONE pool session.

Lake sessions will be held from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on April 22 - 23 at American Lake Park in Tacoma. To graduate, students must attend all the above listed sessions and complete two club-sponsored student paddles of at least four hours duration by September 30, 2017.

Contact Alison Reinbold at areinbold@comcast.net to register for this class.  
The course is $225 for Mountaineers and $300 for non-members. We recommend that you pay for the course via credit card on the Mountaineers website, to ensure your spot in the class.

Additional costs:

Boats are provided at no extra cost for the pool session. Students are required to provide single sea kayaks, or rent them, for both lake sessions (April 22-23). If students have their own sea kayaks, they must be at least 14' and have deck lines, foot rests and flotation at both ends. A spray skirt, paddle, coast guard-approved PFD, paddle float and pump are also required. The Kayak Academy will provide kayaks and gear rental lake sessions, rate to be determined. Students will also be required to have a dry suit for the lake sessions.  

A course manual and course syllabus will be available on-line to you upon completed registration and payment. After payment go back to the course listing, click the tab for course materials and download manual. For the two qualifying club-sponsored paddles, students will be responsible for providing their own gear and kayaks and for providing their own transportation to the trip put-in location. There will be at least 2 paddles scheduled that will be near or at rental locations.