DYNAMIC WATERS
APPLY BASIC SKILLS IN DYNAMIC ENVIRONMENTAlso Known As Fun! Fun! Fun!
Tidal Currents of the San Juan Islands
$199. per person
2 person minimum
Class Details:
Most classes begin at 9:00am and finish up between 3:00pm-5:00pm each day. This will vary according to the tidal cycles so you will want to have the whole day at your disposal. When you book the class we will confirm the times based on the tidal predictions.
See available Training Dates in the tab below.
Call 360•488•4247 to reserve a spot.
Using the lovely waters around Burrows Island and Deception Pass as our classroom participants will receive an introduction into the joy of learning to kayak in the powerful tidal currents of the San Juan Islands. With the help of your expert coaches you’ll learn how to predict where tidal features may occur and how they might affect your kayaking trip. You will learn how to pass through these features using the appropriate body positioning and paddle strokes.
You will also get the opportunity to practice self-rescues and assisted-rescues in a dynamic environment. Many paddlers practice rescues in protected water but that is not where capsizes typically happen. It’s important to be able to conduct a rescue in the conditions that you could find out on the sea. You will have more fun and be more comfortable practicing with a professional kayak coach standing by.
When this class is over you’ll have more confidence to get out and practice in rougher conditions. We hope to help you achieve what the Japanese refer to as “shibumi”, or effortless perfection.
For an even deeper dive into more advanced training we highly recommend our 2-day Deception Pass Tidal Currents kayak training class!
Prerequisites:
Although some previous paddling experience is necessary, relatively new sea kayakers can have a lot of fun with this training class. You will need to be comfortable with wet-exiting your kayak after an unintentional capsize and possess basic paddling skills. It is also important that you know how to swim even though you’ll be wearing a life jacket. Being able to Eskimo roll is not required and there is usually time at the end of the day to practice this maneuver in calm water.
If you feel that need more practice before attending this course then check out our Level One Kayak Classes. Even more experienced kayakers are surprised at how much they can learn.
Combat Rolling and Bracing
$125. per person \ 3-4 hours
2 person minimum, 4 person maximum
$200. One-on-One private training session
Class Details:
The duration of this class is approximately three hours. Classes begin at variable times depending on the tidal currents. We will confirm upon booking, or you may call us with your available dates and we can let you know the best times. When you book we will send you a recommended list of things that you need. Minimum age for participation is 16 years.
See available Training Dates in the tab below.
Call 360•488•4247 to reserve a spot.
To paraphrase the old saying; A roll in calm water is great, but that is not what rolling is for.
Perhaps you are comfortable rolling your kayak in the safety of a calm bay or lake but you still don’t feel that you can complete a combat roll in rougher water. With the help of our expert instructors you can quickly move past this last obstacle to becoming a more advanced sea kayaker. Once you have mastered a combat roll your confidence on the water will soar, and so will the rest of your skills.
This is a really fun day of kayaking on the waters inside Deception Pass.
Prerequisites:
A working kayak roll in calm water is important for this class. If you are still working on this skill, but have not yet mastered it, then we recommend joining our Level One course on kayak rolling first.
You should be reasonably comfortable kayaking in moving water and possess working knowledge of basic paddling strokes. Participants should be comfortable wet exiting and re-entering their kayaks, and having their heads under water. You need to be able to swim. We will be wearing life jackets at all times during the class but you will need to be able to swim through the water for short distances.
Deception Pass: 2-Day Tidal-Currents Course
Having Fun in Rough Water
$449. per person \ Adventure Learning 2-day course
2 person minimum
Class Details:
Most classes begin at 9:00am and finish up between 3:00pm-5:00pm each day. This can vary slightly according to the tidal cycles. When you book the class we will confirm the times. See available Training Dates in the tab below.
Call 360•488•4247 to reserve a spot.
This fun and exciting kayak training course will help you to achieve the skills to become a more confident sea kayaker in tidal currents. Deception Pass might have a fearsome reputation for strong tidal currents and whirlpools, but for sea kayakers it is the perfect classroom to train and develop solid paddling techniques. You will find out just how much fun it is to paddle and play in tidal currents, and your skills will develop quickly here!
This kayak training class takes place in Deception Pass State Park, about 10 minutes from Anacortes. The course is best suited for kayakers who have basic sea kayaking experience and want to take their skills to a more advanced level.
Prerequisites:
Although some previous paddling experience is necessary, this class is designed for developing kayakers who wish to move to a more advanced level of skill. You will need to be comfortable with wet-exiting your kayak after an unintentional capsize and possess basic paddling skills. Being able to Eskimo roll is not required and there is usually time at the end of the day to practice this maneuver in calm water.
If you need more practice before attending this course then check out our Level One kayak courses first. Even experienced kayakers are surprised at how much they can learn from it.
3-Day Adventure Based Learning
$650.+tax per person / includes camping and access fees
2 person minimum
Class Details:
This training course departs from Anacortes, returning in the afternoon on the third day. No ferry is required. It is a self-catered camping expedition where participants bring their own camp gear and food.
See available Training Dates in the tab below.
Call 360•488•4247 to reserve a spot.
The best kayak lessons and instructional classes in the San Juan Islands can be found here in Anacortes, Washington. Join our professional certified kayak coaches for 3-days of fun adventure in the San Juan Islands. Learn to kayak while camping in the beautiful San Juans!
This sea kayak training course is more than just a class. In this Level Two Course you will be learning kayak skills while you explore, camp, and enjoy an amazing adventure in the San Juan Islands.
Many sea kayaking lessons are set up to teach the class in one specific location and are entirely focused on kayak skills development. This 3-day kayak course allows participants to develop their skills in a real-world environment with an extra emphasis on having fun. We know that you will get more out of the experience this way. You’ll be much better prepared to plan your own trips when you complete this class.
Prerequisites:
Some basic knowledge of sea kayak skills will be helpful for you to get the most out of this trip. You should be comfortable maneuvering your boat, capsizing, and making wet exits.
This is a moderately physical activity. For your comfort and enjoyment you will want to be reasonably fit. (If you are new to sea kayaking and do not meet the prerequisites then please call us to set up a departure that is tailored to your needs. We do have a 2 person minimum so that your coach can effectively teach you in a small group setting.)
This is an experiential education best suited for developing paddlers who are interested in learning sea kayak skills and wish to combine a kayak lesson with a fun camping trip in the San Juan Islands of Washington State.
If you are worried that you may not have the basic skills that we list on the prerequisites for this sea kayak instructional class then just let us know. We want to try and help to create a multi-day kayak lesson that is tailored to your needs.