Smart Start: Introduction to Sea Kayaking
No experience necessary!
Overview
Activity details
Discover the wonders of sea kayaking and build your confidence on the water. Get an on-land introduction before venturing out into the waters of Port Gamble Bay for a comprehensive lesson on strokes, techniques, and capsizing recovery.
Enhance your future kayaking experience with this class! By enrolling, you'll learn efficient paddling techniques and establish good posture and boat fit habits, reducing fatigue and increasing comfort while on the water. Our course offers a complete introduction to kayaking, including fast and efficient ways to get back into your boat after a capsize. We strive to equip our paddlers with the necessary tools and knowledge to safely and effectively navigate the diverse waters of the Puget Sound and beyond.
Your instructor will cover basic kayak safety, paddle strokes, how to fit a kayak and personal flotation device, proper stroke techniques, kayak nomenclature, basic design, body dynamics for efficient strokes, wet exits, capsize recovery (solo and assisted), how to choose a kayak for your needs, getting into and out of a kayak and other important basic skills to give you a strong foundation for a lifetime of paddling.
What's Covered
- Kayak nomenclature & basic design
- Basic safety considerations
- Forward Stroke
- Reverse Stroke
- Sweep Strokes, Forward and Reverse (Turning)
- Draw Strokes, Static and Sculling (Move the Kayak laterally)
- Wet Exits
- Capsize Recovery (Paddle Float Rescue, T-Rescue, Cowboy Rescue and Sling Rescue)
- Kayak carries
- Loading and unloading a kayak
- Launching and landing
What's included
Dry Suit Rentals
NRS Explorer, NRS Foray, Level Six Cronos, or similar.
Included with Dry Suit Rentals
- Dry Suit
- Neoprene Booties
Kayak Rentals
Eddyline Equinox, Eddyline Sitka, Dagger Stratos, or similar. Specific requests are taken into consideration but cannot be guaranteed.
Included with Kayak Rentals
- Kayak
- Life Jacket (PFD)
- Paddle
- Spray Skirt
- Bilge Pump
- Paddle Float
Itinerary
Class starts at 9:00am, but please give yourself a little time to park and change. We will wrap up around 4pm.
We will start class on the Beach. There we will go over Kayak nomenclature, proper kayak and PFD fit and answer any questions that may arise. From the there we will make our way onto the water and paddle within the protection of the break water to cover basic strokes, the environment and safety.
We will break for lunch around noon to refuel. Stop by the Port Gamble General Store for grab and go goodies like Sandwiches and an assortment of fruit and drinks. Or grab an espresso if you are in need of a quick pick me up. The General Store has treats for all your dietary needs!
Return to the beach learn and practice wet exits and capsize recovery. This class does involve intentionally capsizing and exiting your kayak - you will go into the water. Once we all have had a chance to practice the learned recovery techniques we will make our way back to the beach and learn how to properly carry our kayaks and how to safely and effectively load and unload them from a vehicle.
Additional information
What to bring
- Full water bottle(s)
- Lunch (2 Restaurants in Town)
- Sunscreen
- Sun glasses with strap
- Weather-appropriate clothing for on land Instruction
- Jacket (Windproof/Waterproof)
- Warm poly and Fleece layers
- What to Wear under Drysuit (water is COLD)
- Poly top and bottom
- Fleece top and bottom
- Fleece socks
- Complete change of clothes (you can keep these in your car)
- Towel
- Sense of Adventure!
Anyone who brings their own equipment will need to bring:
- Life Jacket
- Bilge Pump
- Paddle Float
Special requirements
All kayaks must be fully compartmentalized.
This means they must have bulkheads (preferred) or flotation front & back. Sit-on-Tops and recreational kayaks with large, open cockpits or kayaks under 12' are not appropriate for this activity. If your boat does not meet these requirements please rent a kayak.
Everyone taking part in the activity should be comfortable swimming and being in the water.
While everyone will be wearing life jackets and no one will be forced to capsize if they do not want to, there is always the potential for ending up in the water.
Restrictions
This activity is not appropriate for children under the age of 18. We do offer private instruction which is a great option for families looking to learn together.
Cancellations
Customers will receive a full refund or credit with 72 hours notice of cancellation. No-shows will be charged the full price. Substitutions of other participants will be allowed for the day of the reservation.
No refunds, transfers, or credits will be provided for any cancellations received less than 72 hours before scheduled tours or classes for any reason.
Our activities are run rain or shine. We do not go out in heavy wind, heavy rain, or lightning. If we have to cancel due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances you will have the opportunity to reschedule or receive a full refund or credit.