Sea Kayak Leadership Development - San Juan Islands Archipelago Circumnavigation

Washington Park boat launch,  July 18, 2024, time TBD.

This a 7 day clinic, with each student leading one leg of the trip.  We will likely spend 2 nights on a couple of islands, so there is some "vacation time" and not all "go-go-go!". Each student will get loads of feedback during the planning, and implementation phases of the trip.   This is not a "tour".   The participants will be developing their leadership skills under the tutelage of several other instructors.  Trip leaders in training, and those already certified as trip leaders can attend as participants.   If there isn't enough interest as a clinic, the trip will open to participants in June. We  will be practicing scenarios along the way.  Three general rules will apply; nobody gets hurt, everybody has fun, everybody learns something. Everything else is fair game! We will take advantage of the currents to ease our trip (read...we will search out tideraces and fast moving water which may have strong eddy lines, boils, and occasional whirlpools. In this clinic you will practice your navigation skills, incident management skills, paddling in currents and eddies skills, learn about group management, and sometimes practice paddling in windy conditions. You will also be communicating with Vessel Traffic via vhf. This clinic is a nice step towards open coastal paddling trips.

There will be some parking fees and camping fees associated with this paddle.

Participants must have:

1. Taken an Eddies and Currents Clinic, or have similar experience paddling in eddies, currents, and tideraces.

2. Taken an Introduction to Kayak Camping Clinic or kayak camped before this clinic starts.

3. Taken a Kayaking in Wind and Waves clinic or be comfortable paddling in 15 MPH winds with 2-3 foot seas.

4. Preferably have taken a sea kayak navigation clinic, but not required.

5. Preferably have taken a Surf Zone clinic, but not required.

I recommend participants have taken an incident management clinic, but not required.

No alcohol or other recreational drugs allowed.

Clinic is open to mountaineers members only.