Kayaking Skills Series | Capsize Recovery
This fun, fantastic class will give you the skills and confidence to paddle on the Puget Sound and beyond. Your professionally trained instructors will guide you through solo and multi-person rescues, wet exits, equipment selection and on-water safety. Rescues are the most important skills you can learn as a kayaker. Our class will teach you how to perform self and assisted rescues as well as better balance and control of your boat, building the knowledge and confidence you need to expand your horizons and grow within the sport. You will increase not only your own safety on the water, but also those around you and the added sense of security means you will have much more fun doing so!
Not able to make it this time, but still want to have some fun out on the water? Click here for our Summer Calendar!
This is a great class for Mountaineers and other local club members who are interested in working towards Mountaineers equivalency or the Basic Sea Kayaking Badge, or who are looking to stay up to date and refresh their rescue skills.
This class is held on the Puget Sound, Port Gamble Bay
What's Covered:
- Proper kayak fit
- Capsizing safely
- Wet exits
- Paddle float rescues
- Partner rescues
*Rolling is not covered in this class.
What to Bring:
- Full water bottle
- Snacks and food
- 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 suits are required
Where to Meet:
Olympic Outdoor Center Beach, Port Gamble, WA
Itinerary
We will start class on our beach with check-ins and introductions. We'll go over the sea kayak safety including proper immersion gear.
Then we'll head onto the water practice wet exits, various partner rescues, and paddle float rescues, and other rescue techniques. If we have time at the end, we'll go over exercises for balancing and bracing strokes (capsize prevention!).
To ensure safety and the best possible experience for all participants, please review the following guidelines before registering.
Participants Must:
- Be 18 years or older (or 16+ with prior approval and a guardian present)
- Be in good physical health and able to:
- Paddle for extended periods (2–3 hours at a time)
- Perform wet exits and re-entries in open water
- Comfortably lift and carry their kayak and gear (with assistance if needed)
- Be comfortable swimming while wearing a PFD
Not Recommended For:
- Children under 16
- Pregnant individuals in their second or third trimester *if you are pregnant please consult with your doctor before participating in this class
- Individuals with conditions that may be worsened by cold water immersion or physical exertion (e.g., certain heart conditions, unmanaged epilepsy, recent surgeries)
- Anyone with limited mobility preventing wet exits, balance, or body rotation necessary for paddling in dynamic environments
If You're Unsure:
- Please contact us before booking. We’re happy to help assess if this course is the right fit or suggest a better-suited class for your goals and comfort level.
Disclaimer
Olympic Outdoor Center strives to provide a safe, educational, and enjoyable experience. However, participation in outdoor activities involves inherent risks, including but not limited to weather changes, water conditions, and unforeseen environmental hazards. While our instructors are trained to manage risk, participants are responsible for their own safety and must follow all safety instructions.
Olympic Outdoor Center is not responsible for personal gear loss or damage, unexpected travel delays, or injuries resulting from participant actions or pre-existing conditions. We reserve the right to modify or cancel activities due to weather, unsafe conditions, or other factors beyond our control.
Health & Safety
Your safety is our top priority. Please review the following health and safety guidelines before participating in this course:
Cold Water & Immersion Risk
- This course takes place in the Puget Sound and will require time spent immersed in cold water. A dry suit is required for all participants to ensure thermal protection during skill drills and rescues.
- Participants must be comfortable performing a wet exit and re-entering their kayak with assistance or independently.
Physical Requirements
- You should be in good physical health, capable of paddling for multiple hours, lifting and carrying your own kayak (with assistance if needed), and spending extended time outdoors in variable conditions.
- If you have medical concerns, prior injuries, or health conditions that could impact your participation, please consult your healthcare provider and notify us prior to the course.
What makes Olympic Outdoor Center a good choice?
- Our staff are professionally trained.
- Our Instructors are CPR and First Aid Certified.
- We keep a low instructor to student ratio to ensure individual student attention
- Olympic Outdoor Center has been creating paddling enthusiasts for 40 years!
Paddlers who bring their own equipment will need to bring:
- Life Jacket
- Dry suit *dry suits are required (Need a dry suit? We have rentals available)
- Paddle
- Spray Skirt
- Bilge Pump
- Paddle Float
Need to Rent Gear?
Kayaks and equipment are available to rent for this class. All kayak rentals include individually fitted personal flotation device, paddle, bilge pump, paddle float and spray skirt. All rental equipment will be ready at our facility.
If you are not sure what to bring or if you are in need of rental gear, call Olympic Outdoor Center at 360.297.4659 for rental equipment. We are here to make sure you have everything you need to feel comfortable and prepared for your class.
Our Instructors
Here at Olympic Outdoor Center, we have been teaching classes since 1986 and all of our instructors are experienced paddlers skilled in multiple techniques and safety rescues and we are committed to developing and delivering the best programs possible. We hire and train skilled instructors who are passionate about teaching, the environment, and outdoor recreation. All instructors have basic first aid and CPR certifications.
