Basic Sea Kayaking Course

Registration Notes 

To register for the course, 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.

Course Overview

The Mountaineers' once-a-year class is loaded with practical information, hands-on education, introduction to kayak gear, with an emphasis on paddling safety. You’ll 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. 

Graduation Requirements:

The course consists of one classroom session, one pool session, three open water sessions. To graduate, students must attend all the above listed sessions which include the two required club-sponsored student paddles of at least four hours. These activities are not "ala carte". You must register for the course and ALL of the associated clinics:

• Classroom Session
• Pool Session
• Both Open Water Sessions

A course manual is available to you under the COURSE MATERIALS once you have completed registration and payment.

NOTE:

(A Course Itinerary, will be added first week of April under Course Materials)

Additional Costs

The course is $250.00 for Mountaineers and $325.00 for non-members. Students are required to bring their own ONE PERSON SEA KAYAK and DRY SUIT or rent a ONE PERSON SEA KAYAK and DRY SUIT for all three open water sessions.  Kayaks must be at least 14 feet long and have deck lines, footrests and flotation at both ends. Required gear needed is a spray skirt, paddle, coast guard class 3 -approved life jacket (PFD), paddle float and pump. Olympic Outdoor Sports in Port Gamble, WA., may provide rental packages for kayaks and gear at the required water sessions.  They have the ability to provide 12 Rental Kayak packages for the open water sessions, on first come first serve basis.  Package includes Dry suit a kayak, spray skirt, PFD, paddle float, bilge pump, booties and paddle that floats, for three days for a total of $420.00, 2022 pricing. 2023 pricing maybe different.  Kayak Academy in Issaquah can provide kayaks and Dry suit packages. You will be required to transport your own Kayak and gear on your personal vehicle, to Silverdale Waterfront Park. and Port Gamble.

>>> Links for rentals are located under “Required Equipment“

>>> After you have completed all three on water sessions, you will be considered a graduate, and will receive your Basic Sea Kayak Badge.  Your badge will show on your Mountaineer’s personal profile page.  After graduating and receiving your badge you will be able to participate on any Mountaineer Paddle Activities once approved by the leader of the posted trip. Some experience requirements are needed for certain trips.
>>> Some people take this course as a safety boater course and don’t complete the paddles. Those who don’t complete all requirements will not graduate. 
>>> We can’t wait to meet our new kayak buddies!

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

The Mountaineers strives to serve everyone, regardless of ability to pay. We are committed to providing access to outdoor recreation, education and conservation opportunities for all members and youth in the communities we serve. More information on financial assistance is available here: https://www.mountaineers.org/membership/scholarship-financial-assistance