Basic Sea Kayak Equivalency

Candidates must be current Mountaineer members and have filled out the Equivalency Application.

Committees may grant course Basic Sea Kayaking equivalency to applicants who have joined The Mountaineers, submitted an equivalency application, paid the then-prevailing equivalency fee, and satisfies any of items #1 through #3; 

1. Documents in the application that they have taken a sea kayaking course that meets or exceeds the requirements for Basic Sea Kayaking Course graduation. A committee member must verify this information to their satisfaction.
2. Provides evidence of holding an ACA Level 2 or BCU Level 2* BCU Sea Kayak paddler or instructor certification issued within the last two years.
3. Demonstrates, with only minimal coaching, the ability to perform a wet exit, a self-rescue, and both roles of an assisted rescue; the ability to paddle forward, backwards, stop, and turn the boat. The applicant is able to answer rudimentary questions in the areas of tides, currents, weather, and hypothermia.

After satisfying one of the three alternatives above, the branch representative should review with the applicant pertinent information contained in the Sea Kayaking minimum standard, how to sign up for a trip, and how trips are run. The applicant must successfully complete a club-sponsored SK II or III trip of at least seven miles in length, including demonstration of effective and efficient wet exits, and self and assisted rescues with minimal instructor assistance, and subsequently be approved by the sponsoring committee. 

More detail:  Once your application has been accepted, you may register for the Tacoma Basic Sea Kayak Equivalency  (this "course) which includes paying a $25 fee.  This fee is nonrefundable, whether or not the candidate satisfy successfully one of paths 1-3.

Path 1- Candidates who have taken a multi-day kayak expedition class from Kayak Academy, Body Boat Blade, or Washington Kayak Club. Other institutions will be considered.

Path 3: For those choosing path 3, we highly recommend that candidates only apply to take the test if they are very confident in their rescue skills, have a basic understanding of tides, currents and weather issues, and have a proper sea kayak (not a recreational or white water kayak). Candidates should have the essential kayak gear listed below under the "Equipment" tab. Practice your rescues before applying to take this test. The goal of this equivalency test is to make sure that the paddler has the skills and equipment/clothing necessary to be a safe participant on an SK II Mountaineers trip as well as to be aware of what is expected of them on a Mountaineer trip.   They are expected to have the skills and equipment that we expect from our Basic Sea Kayak Course student graduates.  This test can be administered by any Tacoma Mountaineer sea kayak leader that is in good standing. The equivalency candidate must show up on time for the equivalency test with the following items:  Sea kayak with flotation at both ends and with deck lines around the perimeter of the kayak, kayak paddle, spray skirt, Coast Guard-approved PFD, paddle float and pump, and wearing either a wet suit or dry suit.  The equivalency evaluator will ask you  questions to ensure that you have at least a rudimentary understanding of tides, currents and weather.

Following one of the above three paths, you need to go on a 7nm or great sea kayaking trip with one of the branches. The trip leader will need to sign you up for the trip, as you won't yet have the sea kayaking badge.

The last step is a vote of approval by the Tacoma Mountaineers Sea Kayak committee.  

To get started with your application, fill out the equivalency application found at the above hyperlink or click on the blue hyperlink "Go to Application" on the right side of the page.