Kayak Skills Series: Capsize Recovery
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 and Booties are provided for all registrations!
- Kayak Rental (additional cost)
- Premium Eddyline Kayak
- Spray Skirt
- Bilge Pump & Paddle Float
- Aquabound Paddle
- Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
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
Insulation to be worn under your dry suit (long sleeve top, pants, socks. Fleece or other synthetic clothing recommended)
Complete change of warm clothes for after
Towel
Dry Suit and booties are provided with the class.
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.