Urban Nordic Walking Clinic - Seattle Waterfront

LEADERS: This 2-hour evening clinic will be led by American Walking Association Instructor and Mountaineers Urban Walk Leader Chris Ensor and Mountaineers Assistant Leader Linda Shewey. The park is well lit at night.

PURPOSE: This 2 hour evening clinic starting at 6:30pm will prepare you to Nordic walk efficiently. You will then be able to enjoy this great total-body exercise in your own neighborhood on your own and with friends or join a Mountaineers Nordic Walking trip. We will cover the basics of diagonal stride and how to use poles to give an extra dimension to walking, making it better exercise, more fun and more efficient than just walking.

WHO THE CLINIC IS FOR: The clinic will provide a great introduction to those starting or returning to cross country skiing including students registered for the 2026 Everett and Tacoma Basic XC Ski Courses. Nordic walking movements are very similar to classic xc skiing.  

The clinic will also be valuable to anyone considering taking up Nordic walking as a sport and pastime in its own right. Attending a clinic such as this will be a preparation for those wishing to join Mountaineers Nordic walking trips when we roll these out during 2026. Taking this clinic will be a requirement to registering for such trips.

TIME: Starting at 6:30pm the clinic will last for up to 120 minutes. 

CLINIC STRUCTURE:  We will start by adjusting the poles for your height, align the rubber tips, distinguishing between left and right poles and see how to adjust and use the wrist straps. 

We do some warm-up exercises. Then we will practice some drills. These will focus on the leg and arm movements of diagonal stride and the correct use of poles to  give walking to a whole new and exciting dimension. The exercises will be organized in a progression: learn one aspect leading to another and another to build up to the full set of movements designed for flat, uphill and downhill situations. Once we have mastered these basics, in the second half of the clinic we take a trip to put them into practice 

EQUIPMENT: The correct poles for Nordic walking will be provided. Most trekking and walking poles are not suitable. 

If you want to bring your own poles, please inform the leader in advance. It is important to be sure that the pole length is correct for your height and that your wrist straps and the rubber pole tips are suitable. 

CLOTHING AND PROVISIONS: Please wear layered clothing that is water resistant, stout trainers and a small backpack for clothes you remove, and to carry water and a snack. Much of the time we will be moving so we will warm up. But there will be some stand-still time for instruction and discussion. So, we will also cool down. Remember it’s now winter! If you wish to wear gloves, please avoid mittens and chose gloves that are quite thin. Otherwise they may not fit into the wrist straps.

FITNESS AND SPEED: In view of the 2.5 mph pace and 3 mile distance that will include some short hills you should be able to maintain this average pace  (we will go slower up hill) so we can keep the clinic group together. There will be some short breaks for instruction. A good level of fitness and stamina is needed to be able to keep up throughout the session. If you have any concerns about meeting these expectations, please contact the principal leader Chris Ensor before registering.

PUNTUALITY AND RELIABILITY: This is an instructional activity, and the numbers are limited. It will mess up the start of the session and inconvenience the whole group if anyone is late or a no-show. So please allow plenty of time for your journey to arrive and be ready to start at 6:30pm. If you have doubts that you can arrive and be ready on-time please do not register. Thank you for your understanding.

TRAVEL OPTIONS TO MEETING PLACE: You can drive or carpool but finding parking close be may be difficult. In addition there are various transit options.

VIDEOS: Here are some suggestions to watch to learn more about Nordic walking:

Nordic walking - how to start walking with poles?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXLffLAGagI

(This video shows the progression from no-poles, to dragging poles to full use of poles. The video focuses on the advantages for rehab patients, but the progression sequence applies to everyone starting to Nordic walking)

The Health Benefits of Nordic Walking (especially for seniors and those in rehab) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNLmQWbcaiI

 Nordic Walking vs. Trekking Poles - What's the Difference? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp6vMhcazis

 MORE INFORMATION AND QUESTIONS

Please contact the Primary Leader, Chris Ensor (he/him/his) cgensor@gmail.com Full trip details will be emailed to those who sign up when registration closes.

 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Urban Nordic Walking is a mix of walking, hiking, and cross-country skiing on streets, in parks, on trail and in most other places where you can travel in open air. Snow and skis are not required!  The movements in Urban Nordic Walking are very similar to classic Nordic skiing but the activity does not require snow or skis. 

Nordic walking has unique advantages over walking, jogging, and cycling for health and fitness because the motion actively exercises the whole body, not just the legs. The poles used for Nordic walking are similar to trekking poles but have specially designed wrap-around wrist straps and rubber tips.

Activities are applicable to all levels of mobility, and beneficial for almost everyone, especially those with balance problems.

Meet at 6:30pm by the restrooms across from the Seattle Big Wheel and the Miners Landing Building, 1301 Alaska Way, Seattle 98101. The park is well lit at night.

The exact meeting location and Google Maps link will be emailed to those who sign up when registration closes