Basic Sea Kayaking Course

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 6, 2019 from 8:30 am - 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 10:00 am – 4:30 pm on April 7 at the Peninsula High School pool in Gig Harbor. Lake sessions will be held from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on April 13 - 14 at American Lake in Tacoma.  To graduate, students must attend all the above listed sessions and complete two club-sponsored student paddles by September 14, 2018.

As a celebration for graduates, we will have a graduation event at the Tacoma Clubhouse  on September 14, 2019 (Pot luck, gear swap, presentation).                         
Please contact Robert Donovan at erdonovan1@gmail.com for information on how to register for this class.  

The course is $225 for Mountaineers and $300 for non-members. 

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 13 - 14). 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 for lake sessions at a rental cost of $130.00 for the weekend. Students will also be required to have a dry suit for the lake sessions. The Kayak Academy's rental cost for a dry suit, cap and a pair of booties for the weekend is $70.00 (These cost may change, but not much). A course manual and course syllabus will be available to you under the Course Materials Tab once registration and payment have been completed. 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.