If visiting some of the most dynamic places on the planet, bird watching or just slipping onto a lake after work with new friends interests you, then the Seattle Mountaineers Sea Kayaking Basics Course is for you.

[ Register ] [ Print ] [ Calendar ] [ FAQ ] [ Manual & Syllabus ]

To participate in Mountaineers-sponsored kayak trips, you must be a graduate or continuing student of this course or have received equivalency. However, no prior sea kayaking knowledge or experience is required to participate in this course.

The Seattle Mountaineers Sea Kayaking Basics course is limited to 42 students. Please review all course requirements before registering. No refunds will be made after the course starts.

Sea Kayaking Basics - Course Overview 

The Sea Kayaking Basics course is offered once each year, beginning in April, by the Seattle Mountaineers.

All instruction is offered in single sea kayaks with bulkheads or approved flotation. Single kayaks are required throughout the course, as kayak skills are best learned in singles.

Throughout a series of lectures and on-water instruction, the following topics are covered:

1. Equipment used in coastal kayaking.
2. Cold water - and how to dress for it.
3. Knowledge of the sea: weather, waves, tides and currents.
4. Safety at sea: charts, navigation, buoyage, communication, and marine rules of the road.
5. Rescues and the importance of teamwork.
6. Paddling and maneuvering skills - the effects of wind, waves and current.
7. Physical conditioning.
8. Protection of the marine environment.

Estimated total cost for this course is $250 to $550, depending on whether you already own a suitable kayak (single kayak with bulkheads or approved floatation) and immersion wear. Immersion gear, typically a dry suit or a wetsuit with paddle jacket (at the trip leader's discretion), is also required for Mountaineers paddles.

A dry suit is mandatory for the open water instructional event Deep Water Skills Session .

All course requirements must be completed by August 31, 2012.

Sea Kayaking Basics Course Registration 

Please review the course dates carefully and confirm that your schedule will permit you to attend ALL activities. Make-ups are not possible. No refunds will be made after the course starts. 

Classroom Sessions

Held at The Mountaineers Clubhouse in Seattle at Sand Point.

Class #1:  Tuesday, April 10, 6:30-9:00 p.m.

Class #2:  Tuesday, April 17, 6:30-9:00 p.m.

Class #3:  Tuesday, April 24, 6:30-9:00 p.m.

Recommended Textbooks

(Purchase one, not necessarily both) 

The Complete Sea Kayaker's Handbook, Shelley Johnson

Sea Kayaking Illustrated, John Robison

Pool Session

Juanita Pool, Kirkland

Register online for ONE of three available Pool Sessions:

1. Seattle Pool Session 1: Sunday, April 15, 8:00 am to 11:00am, OR
2. Seattle Pool Session 2: Sunday, April 15, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, OR
3. Seattle Pool Session 3: Sunday, April 15, 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm 

Deep Water Session

Register online for the Seattle Deep Water Skills Session: Saturday, April 21, 8:00 am to 4:00pm

ACA-certified instruction provided on paddling and maneuvering skills.

Student demonstration of cold-water exits and kayak re-entries is required. 

Payment/checks for kayak and gear rental for the Deep Water Skills Session will be collected during the first class session. Gear will be brought to the launch site for all students who need to rent a kayak and/or a dry suit package (see course fees outlined below). 

Additional information will be provided in a Welcome letter you will receive after you register for this course.

Qualifying Student Paddles

Two qualifying student paddles must also be successfully completed by August 31. One of these paddles will be arranged by your mentor group leader during classroom work.  The second paddle can be chosen online from any Seattle student paddle listed on the Mountaineers website. Qualifying student paddles will be posted on the Mountaineers website beginning in April.

Seattle Sea Kayaking Basics students must have completed all requirements through the Seattle branch before participating in any paddles or kayaking courses offered by other branches of the Mountaineers.

Kayaks and gear will not be provided on-site for student qualifying paddles. While the club will schedule some qualifying paddles at locations where rentals are available, it will be the student's responsibility to arrange for a rental for each trip. Students will also be responsible for transporting boats to and from the launch site if rentals are not available there. Immersion gear, typically a dry suit or a wetsuit with paddle jacket (at the trip leader's discretion), is also required for Mountaineers paddles.

Volunteer opportunities

Class mentor:

Attend mentor training on Tuesday, April 3rd.

Be a class mentor at all three evening classroom sessions, 6:30-9:00 p.m. at club headquarters (April 10, April 17, and April 24).

Work with your mentor-partner to bring specified gear and clothing to relevant class sessions.  Respond to student questions for the duration of the course.  Continue working with the students in your group through summer/early fall and until they have completed their two required paddles.  Arrange for a student paddle with your mentor group.

Pool instructor:

Attend train-the trainer session on Sunday, April 1, from 8 am to 12 noon, at the Juanita Pool, Kirkland.  Instruct one or more of the three pool sessions at the Juanita Pool on Sunday, April 15th.

Shore helper:

Provide on-shore support for the Deep-Water sessions on Sunday, April 21.  Help check-in students, issue gear, assist with dry suits, and unload/load boats, assemble; help count gear at end of session.

To volunteer:

Contact the Seattle Basics Class Coordinators via email at SeattleMountaineers.SKBasics@gmail.com.