The Mountaineers Foothills Branch

Last modified Mar. 29, 2010

SEA KAYAKING - Basic Course – Level 1

The Foothills Branch of The Mountaineers partnering with Cascade Canoe and Kayak Center in Renton, offers Level 1 (Basic) Sea Kayaking Course for Mountaineers members and the general public.

By limiting class size to eight students, this course is personalized, concentrated, and intensive and therefore covers all topics and completes all requirements the other Mountaineers’ branches require for equivalence status. The course is designed to complete all classroom topics with additional emphasis on extra on-water instruction.

The Level-1 – Basic Course consists of three 3-hour sessions and one 9-hour all day instructor-guided saltwater kayaking trip. The first hour of two of the 3-hour sessions is theory taught on-the-dock with the remaining two hours on-water instruction. One 3-hour session is concentrated classroom instruction. All topics in the Seattle Branch Sea Kayaking syllabus (2010 course) will be covered.

Students must successfully complete a 50-yard swim, all classroom sessions, on-water sessions and demonstrate competence in paddling skills including self-rescue and assisted rescue. This course prepares the students for participating in two instructor-guided saltwater day-trips required only for Equivalence Graduate Status for Mountaineers students wanting to qualify for Mountaineers’ sponsored trips upon graduation.

The May Course Dates and Times:
Mon. May 3, Theory: On-the-dock; 6:00 -7:00 pm: On-water 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Tues. May 4, Classroom: 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Wed. May 5, Theory: On-the-dock: 6:00 - 7:00 pm: On-water 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Sat. May 8, Saltwater paddle: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.

All sessions, classroom, on-the-dock and on-water will be held at the Cascade Canoe and Kayak Center, Renton with access to Lake Washington for the on-water instruction.

Cost: The Basic Level-1 Course is $195. The cost for the two additional instructor guided saltwater day-trips is determined by trip destination and not available at course registration. Trip options and costs will be available for students to choose from upon completion of the course.

Drysuits: Required for all sessions. Students owning boat and equipment must have it inspected and approved by the instructor to assure worthiness. A rental package is available, includes the Course, boat, gear and drysuit for $265. Transportation for the Saltwater paddle is provided and included in the Course fee. Instruction begins with how to load boats and gear, continues with chart and tide instruction during the commute. After a full day of instruction in paddling, a trip review during the commute back, this intensive on-water day prepares the paddler for participating in trips offered to complete the requirements for graduation, placing competent sea kayakers on those trips.

All sign-up is by phone interview, and all students are required to sign a waiver. Questions, refunds, and cancellation policy, etc. can be answered during the phone interview signup. Registration is now open. Call 425-430-0111.