Basic Sea Kayaking Course

Cancellation policy:  If you cancel your course registration prior to April 1, 2026 you will pay $10.00 cancellation fee. You will not receive a refund after April 1, 2026.
See Additional Costs below

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. 

This course is made up of 5 major elements that when successfully completed will earn you the Basic Sea Kayaking Badge enabling you to sign up for Mountaineers paddles.  All elements must be completed.  No “make up” opportunities are available.  Please read the entire course description, course requirements, physical requirements, and required equipment prior to registering for the course.  

Course Description

• Evening classroom session (4 hours)
• Pool session (2 hours)
• On the Water session (2 days, 1 day on the water instruction, 1 day paddle with instruction)
• Student Level Paddle (any Mountaineers paddle appropriate to your skill level, must complete by Dec 31 the year course is taken)
• Mountaineers low impact recreation badge (a series of short videos with a quiz, accessible anytime online via the Mountaineers web site) 

Classroom Session: At the evening classroom session you will be introduced to kayaking fundamentals, participate in hands on learning activities, and interact with and ask questions of leaders and instructors.   The classroom session will introduce you to:  

• Equipment including kayaks, paddles, clothing, and minimum gear for safe trips.
• Cold water environments, hypothermia, and survival.
• Capsize recovery/rescues and the importance of teamwork.
• Sea conditions including weather, waves, tides and currents.
• Basic navigation, trip planning, and seamanship.
• Paddling skills and countering the effects of wind and waves on boat behavior.
• Safety, conservation practices, and followership.

Pool Session: In the pool you’ll learn and practice, fitting the kayak to your body, putting on the spray skirt, entering and exiting the kayak, wet exits, self-rescue and assisted rescue.  You must register one of the three different pool sessions in the Course Requirements section below.

On the Water Session: This is a 2-day weekend course on the lake or salt water.  On the first day, you will learn the kayaking fundamentals and strokes and get a chance to practice the fundamentals you learned in the pool session. The second day will be a saltwater paddle; it will reinforce all that came before and be a delightful introduction to the adventures that await.  The group campsite at Washington Park in Anacortes has been reserved and will accommodate 8 tents; other sites can also be reserved.  Additional details will be provided at the classroom session.  

Student Level Paddle: After completing the On the Water session you need to complete at least one additional student level paddle on saltwater before the end of the year.  These trips will be posted on the Mountaineers website.

Mountaineers low impact recreation badge:  This badge can be earned at any time by visiting  Low Impact Recreation Skills eLearning Course. It is a series of short videos that help you understand and minimize your impact on the environment during any outdoor activities.  A short quiz at the end helps reinforce the main learning objectives. 

Minimum physical requirements:  

• Being flexible enough to get into and out of a sea kayak, and sit with legs extended for periods up to about 90 minutes;
• Being able to swim in a PFD 
• Sufficient general strength, endurance and coordination to be able to perform basic paddle strokes, wet exits, self-rescues, and assisted rescues as demonstrated in the class.
• Sufficient fitness to paddle for about 90 min at a relaxed pace.
•  This course does not require an high level of strength or fitness; it does require a moderate level.  If you have questions, please contact the course leader.

Additional Costs:  Students are required to provide or rent sea kayaks and equipment  for the on-water session and student paddles and transport them to the activity locale.  Paddle-specific PFDs and appropriate immersion wear will be required at all times on the water.   Discover pass or paid parking fee will be required at some locations.  Click on the “Required Equipment” tab below for more information on boat and equipment rentals.

Equivalency: If you have substantial prior experience sea kayaking on cold water then Sea Kayaking Equivalency course may be a better path for you. You can apply for equivalency at webpage linked here