Essential Sea Kayak Skills - Lake Washington: Concrete Beach

Forward stroke is our most used and most important stroke and the most subtle.  Since we will do more forward strokes than all other strokes, it benefits us to make our forward stroke as effective as possible.  There are multiple component movements that must be coordinated to make the most effective and efficient stroke.  Left to ourselves, most of us don’t discover these movements and fall into a technique that uses only parts of our body.  In the workshop, we will coach you a higher performance forward stroke that will bring unlimited reward or, at least, allow you to paddle with power when needed and efficiently when able.  

Homework:  Watch this set of coaching videos:  

• Paddle TV Ken Whiting
• Hightide Seakayaking Coaching

This clinic is part of the Essential Kayak Skills series (listed below).   Each clinic will focus on one area of skills. You can take all sessions, or as many as you feel you need. These are introductory clinics, but all levels are welcome. You must be a Basic Sea Kayak graduate, or have club equivalency status.   

Feb. 4        Forward Stroke

Feb. 10       Balance, Bracing and Moving Sideways

Feb. 17       Rescues and Towing

March 9    Directional Control

March 17   Paddling in Currents

TBA             Kayaking with a Greenland Paddle

(A Wind and Waves clinic was taught in November, 2023)

Basic competence in these on the water skills will boost your confidence to paddle competently on a variety of trips. Each clinic will focus on one area of skills. You can take all sessions, or as many as you feel you need. These are introductory clinics, but all levels are welcome. You must be a Basic Sea Kayak student or graduate, or have club equivalency status. 

Meet at Concrete Beach in Magnuson Park, by the Sail Sandpoint launch area.   Be geared up and ready to start at 9 a.m.   This is a 3-hour clinic.