Sea Kayak Navigation Class in Port Gamble
Build navigation, rescue, and towing skills for sea-kayak touring
Duration
7 hrs
Includes
Navigation, rescues, towing
Highlights
Build on your sea-kayaking foundation with guided practice in navigation, rescue, towing, and boat control. Develop the skills to plan trips and make informed decisions on the water.
- Practice solo and assisted rescues in open water
- Refine forward, reverse, turning, and maneuvering strokes
- Learn basic navigation tools, tides, currents, wind, and trip planning
- Develop towing, balance, bracing, and recovery skills
- Explore beyond the bay with professionally trained instructors
Itinerary
Smart Start 2: Introduction to Navigation and Touring Essentials
9am: Beach talk: Discuss - Continue Skills Developed in Smart Start 1: -Rescue skills in open water -Strokes -Forward stroke -Reverse stroke -Turning strokes
9:30am: Table talk (on land): -Navigation -Tides and currents -Wind and weather -Wind against current -Go/no go -Towing -demonstration, introducing tow belts -contact tows demonstration
10:30: Launch and head towards Foulweather -Rescue practice and towing practice opportunities on the water -Cross at Coon Bay Entrance (approx. 4nm) -Crossing exercise (approx. 1.5 nm crossing)
1pm: Lunch with the Dragon on Hood’s Head
1:30pm: Cross back to Port Gamble (approx. 1.6nm crossing) -Towing demonstration and practice Have students get into pairs for towing practice -Tow belts -Contact tow -Short tow lines (Tow racing game) -maneuvering strokes around pilings on Port Gamble side (follow the leader game)
2:30-3pm: Balance and bracing -Bracing demonstration -turning strokes and bracing -Bracing practice
3:30pm-4:30pm: Polish rescues, bracing, wrap up, answer questions and debrief. Game! Dead fish polo is great for balance and maneuvering practice. Rescue practice if capsize happens!
Important details
- Ages 18+ only
- Previous introductory sea-kayaking training or comparable experience is recommended
- Comfort swimming and being in the water is required
- A dry suit is required
- Arrive with time to park and change before the 9:00am class start
- Personal kayaks must be fully compartmentalized with bulkheads or front and rear flotation; sit-on-top, open-cockpit, and under-12-foot kayaks are not suitable
- Bring a life jacket, bilge pump, and paddle float when using your own kayak
- Dry-suit and kayak rentals are available for an additional charge and are not included in the listed class price
Cancellation Policy
Receive a full refund when you cancel at least 72 hours before the class. No refunds for cancellations within 72 hours or no-shows. Receive a full refund if the operator cancels due to weather or unforeseen circumstances.
Product ID: GK8DVX
FAQs
Yes. You should take Smart Start: Introduction to Sea Kayaking (or a comparable class) or have similar sea kayaking experience before joining this Level Two class.
Yes—dry suits are required. If you don’t have your own, you must rent one for an extra charge (listed as $20).
Yes, but your kayak must be fully compartmentalized (with bulkheads preferred, or front and back flotation). Sit-on-top kayaks, recreational kayaks with large open cockpits, and kayaks under 12 feet are not appropriate for this activity.
Meeting details
Port Gamble Waterfront
