Kayak Sailing

Kayak sailing can be an effective way to increase your range and speed on long day trips or multi-day expeditions ... plus, kayak sailing is fun! You can paddle at the same intensity and go faster, or at the same speed and work less. Students will practice paddling while sailing, although it is also possible to just use the wind for propulsion and your paddle for directional control.

It is important to learn the basics with light winds before progressing to kayak sailing in stronger winds. This course consists of two activity sessions that must be taken as a progression. Depending on the instructor, it might be possible for the student to borrow a boat (such as the instructor's or another Mountaineer's), but this is at the discretion of the instructor. They must have their own sail mounted to their boat before the second session. Session one is in winds of 6-11 kts, and session 2 in winds of 12-16 kts, approximately.

Before signing-up for this course, students must have solid sea kayaking skills, with the ability to firmly edge your boat, rear rudder, sweep, paddle comfortably in wind and waves, and perform rescues. The ability to roll the boat is not necessary.

Because of the nature of kayak sailing, course activity sessions will be scheduled as students are interested, instructors are available, and conditions are appropriate. You may not notice any course sessions available when you register for this course. It is up to the student to make contact with one of the listed instructors to schedule. Activity sessions will be small, typically a ratio of two students per instructor.

Once successfully completing Sessions One and Two, you will be graduated and earn the Kayak Sailing Badge.

Information on ordering and installing sails, and sailing technique, can be found here in this Google Drive. Download files to view.