Basic Sea Kayaking Course II - Olympia - 2025

Sea Kayaking Course

Basic Sea Kayaking Course

2025 Basic Sea Kayaking Course - Olympia - Session 2

The course provides a basic introduction to Sea Kayaking and graduation from the course permits members to sign up for Mountaineer Sea Kayak trips with any Branch. No prior knowledge or experience is required. All instruction will be in single sea kayaks. If you do not own a kayak, limited loaners may be available. If we exceed the available loaners, you will need to rent or borrow a boat for the course. The course will be limited to 10 people. Please note the dates carefully and confirm that your schedule will permit you to attend all the sessions. There will likely be no opportunity to make up missed sessions. Missing a session may prevent you from continuing with the class due to safety considerations and will prevent you from graduation.

Sea kayaking, and the course, involve a level of strength, flexibility and endurance possessed by most physically active individuals. 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. 

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.

For students who do not own or have access to a kayak and required equipment, we may have access to a limited amount of equipment from Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation for the on-the-water sessions.  You may also have other expenses for appropriate clothing and equipment.

Badges you will earn:

Course Requirements
Course Activity Date Availability Leader
Classroom Session 1
Olympia Friends Meeting House
Thu, May 22, 2025
Registration closes May 24
5 participants
5 instructors
Pool Session
Evergreen State College
Thu, May 29, 2025
Registration closes May 27
5 participants
4 instructors
Open Water Session
Kenneydell Park & Black Lake
Sat, May 31, 2025
Registration closes May 29
5 participants
4 instructors
Classroom Session 2
Online Classroom
Wed, Jun 4, 2025
Registration closes Jun 2
5 participants
8 instructors
Wet Paddle
Boston Harbor Vicinity
Sat, Jun 7, 2025
Registration closes Jun 5
5 participants
3 instructors
Roster
Required Equipment
  • Sea kayak with deck lines, footrests and floatation at both ends. Kayak must be at least 14' long. (Loaners may be available for those who don't have their own boat. Loaners will come with the following 5 pieces of equipment as well.)
  • Coast Guard class 3 life jacket (personal floatation device or PFD) 
  • Spray skirt 
  • Paddle
  • Pump
  • Paddle float

  • 3mm Farmer John type wet suit or a dry suit is required for the final on-the-water session and the required experience paddle.