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. 

Participants should be moderately physically fit. Examples of this would mean the ability to lift 25 lbs over your head, walk briskly for one hour, lift yourself to the side of the pool without using a ladder, and have the flexibility to sit upright with legs on the floor straight in front of you. Successful completion and enjoyment of the course is reliant on this minimal level of fitness. 

The course this year will consist of one classroom session, two open water sessions and two student paddles. 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, 2021. The classroom session will be held on Saturday, May 29,2021 and the Open Water sessions will be held on Saturday/Sunday, June 5,6 and Saturday/Sunday, June 19-20, 2021. This year we will also offer the choice of Online Classroom, if you can't make the May 29th session. When you register for the course you will have to choose one of the classroom sessions and one of the Open Water Sessions. If you have to rent your kayak, you will have to choose one of the Lake Sammamish Open Water Sessions.  You will have opportunities to sign up for Tacoma Branch student paddles before they are open to the greater Mountaineers membership. 

COVID 19 UPDATE: With the hope of widespread vaccination distribution, every effort will be made to adhere to this course as listed. However, current public health guidelines and mandates will be followed, so adjustments may be necessary.  Currently, the classroom session is scheduled to occur at the Mountaineers Tacoma Program Center. If indoor gatherings are limited, it will be broken into 3 online sessions over Zoom.  The Online Classroom will be 3 online sessions over Zoom. They will be conducted sometime between May 25th-June 4. They will take place in the evenings. 

COVID Guidelines in place at the start of the class will be strictly enforced. We encourage all participants to be vaccinated when it becomes available. 

It is advised that students provide their own gear, either owned or borrowed.  Rental Students must choose the Lake Sammamish Open Water Session at Lake Sammamish. Kayak Academy will be providing the drysuits and kayaks at that location. 

Contact the class coordinator at TMSKbasicclass@gmail.com to register for this class. You will then receive an online registration form to fill out. When that has been received you will be notified that you can sign up for the class. NOTE: YOU ARE NOT OFFICIALLY REGISTERED UNTIL THE REGISTRATION FORM IS RETURNED.

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

A course manual and course syllabus is available to you under the COURSE MATERIALS TAB to upon completed registration and payment.