Become a Seattle Branch Sea Kayak Leader
How to become a Sea Kayak trip leader for the Seattle Branch.
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A LEADER?
Contact our Leadership Chair, Curt Gelotte, to begin the discussion about leading trips for The Mountaineers and obtaining your Sea Kayaking Leader Badge. Our committee requires the following:
- Graduation from the Mountaineers Sea Kayaking Course or having been granted the badge via the equivalency process.
- Having paddled for at least one year after graduation from class or granting of equivalency and completing at least three trips with the Mountaineers.
- A recommendation from two trip leaders.
- Leading two supervised trips, including pre-trip planning, sign ups, leading the trip, dealing with on the water group dynamics, and completing a trip report. Each trip must be done under the watchful eye of a sponsoring leader who is listed as a mentor and each trip must be mentored by a different leader.
- Nominees will be evaluated in several areas including but not limited to:
- Leadership skills
- People skills
- Sea kayak paddling and handling skills
- Judgement
- Knowledge of potential risks, including those associated with group trips such as weather and currents
- Trip planning
- Safety
- Emergency procedures