SEAWISE | Introduction to Coastal Kayaking
SEAWISE | Introduction to Coastal Paddling Weekend
Location: Freshwater Bay, Washington
Date: September 19th & 20th, 2026
Skill Level: Intermediate (Some prior sea kayaking experience recommended)
Ready to explore beyond the bay? Join us for an immersive weekend designed to build your confidence and competence in coastal environments. Set against the stunning backdrop of Freshwater Bay, this course will help you take the next step in your sea kayaking journey with a little salt spray and a lot of smiles.
Led by some of the area's most respected and approachable sea kayak coaches, this weekend workshop dives into the essential foundations of coastal paddling. Through engaging, hands-on instruction, you’ll develop critical skills for dynamic environments, including:
🧭 Coastal navigation & group management
🛟 Towing techniques and on-water problem-solving
🌊 Rescues and recoveries in bumpy conditions
🤝 Building comfort, confidence, and strong team dynamics in real-world coastal scenarios
Whether you're looking to paddle more challenging waters, expand your adventure radius, or simply boost your confidence on the water, SEAWISE is your gateway to the rugged beauty of the Washington coast. Expect expert guidance, a supportive learning environment, and a lot of fun as you level up your paddling game.
Let’s get SEAWISE (and a little salty) together!
*Dry suits and helmets are required for this class, please add a rental if you do not have your own.
Course Outline
Day 1 begins with introductions, a safety briefing, and an overview of the weekend ahead. The morning is dedicated to foundational skills including edging, bracing, and efficient boat control in textured water. After a break for lunch, the afternoon focuses on assisted and self-rescue techniques, towing systems, and effective group management strategies. The day wraps up with a debrief and preparation for the following day's journey.
Day 2 features a full-day coastal paddle designed to reinforce and apply the skills learned on Day 1. You'll practice real-time decision-making, navigate environmental features, and continue developing your rescue and leadership skills in a coached, supportive environment. The course concludes with a final debrief and personalized feedback to support your progression as a confident coastal paddler.
What's Covered
- Basic safety considerations
- Incident management
- Kayak maneuvering
- Effectively turning in conditions
- Draw strokes and sculling
- Self rescues and partner rescues in open water
- Kayak carries
- Launching and landing in a dynamic environment
- Basic navigation and understanding of tides, current and weather
What to Bring
*Helmets and dry suits are required for this class. Don't have your own? Give us a call at 360.297.4659
- Helmet
- Dry suit
- A plastic kayak
- Paddle
- Spare Paddle (recommended)
- PFD
- Serated Rigging Knife (recommended)
- Spray skirt
- Paddle float
- Bilge pump
- Waist Belt Tow Line
- Full water bottle(s)
- Lunch (prepare to eat lunch on the water)
- Sunscreen
- Sun glasses with strap
- Log Book (recommended)
- Weather-appropriate clothing for on land Instruction
- Jacket (Windproof/Waterproof)
- Warm poly and Fleece layers
- What to wear under your dry suit (water is COLD)
- Poly top and bottom
- Fleece top and bottom
- Fleece socks
- Complete change of clothes (you can keep these in your car)
- Towel
- Sense of Adventure!
Tips are always appreciated and a great way to thank your instructors for a fun day!
Gear Rental:
- We offer a full selection of rental gear—including sea kayaks, drysuits, helmets, and safety equipment—available exclusively at our Port Gamble location.
- All rental gear must be picked up and returned in Port Gamble. Guides and instructors will not transport gear to or from Freshwater Bay. Please plan ahead to ensure you have all necessary equipment with you at the launch site on course day.
- Participants renting kayaks are responsible for providing an adequate kayak carrier or trailer to safely transport the kayak to and from our Port Gamble location. All rental kayak transportation methods must be verified before the kayak rental is fully confirmed.
- 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.
Where to Meet
Freshwater Bay Boat Launch
Address: 144 Striped Peak Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98363
(there is a porta potty at this location)
Camping Options
The course does not include camping. Our instructors will be camping at Crescent Beach RV Park,
The park includes Tent, RV, and cabin rentals and will be the hub for the class. Click Here for reservations. If you have problems reserving a spot please call our shop.
Course Cost: $385
The $385 course fee includes two full days of professional instruction, individualized coaching, a full-day guided coastal journey, and all course materials. This investment supports small group learning with a low instructor-to-student ratio, ensuring personalized feedback and a high-quality educational experience. Cost does not include camping fees.
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)
- Have prior kayaking experience (this is not a beginner-level course)
- 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
- 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 cold, open coastal waters. 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.
Emergency Preparedness
- Instructors carry first aid kits, communication devices (VHF, phone), and are trained in CPR and rescue protocols.
- Participants are encouraged to carry personal medications (e.g. inhalers, EpiPens) in a dry bag on their person—not stored in a hatch.
- You’ll be briefed on the emergency plan, including landing zones and communication protocols, before launching.
Weather & Environmental Hazards
- Coastal environments are dynamic. Be prepared for sun, wind, rain, waves, and cold air/water temps.
- Bring layered, non-cotton clothing and sufficient hydration and nutrition for each day.
- Be alert for signs of hypothermia, dehydration, or fatigue—and communicate with your instructors if you feel unwell or unsafe at any time.
Safety Culture
- This course emphasizes good judgment, teamwork, and proactive communication. You’re encouraged to speak up, ask questions, and support fellow paddlers.
- Respect the ocean and your limits. Progression comes from challenge—not from pushing through discomfort or unsafe conditions.
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.
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Brian Stone
Instructor
It is no exaggeration to say my coastal skills have never improved as quickly as they did, in such a fun manner as they did, then during the SeaWise Introduction to Coastal Kayaking weekend clinic. I have taken previous coastal clinics and this one stood out for good reason, the instructors are the best you will find anywhere in Washington. Chris and Brian bring so much more than simple instruction. They are highly approachable and make you feel at home in your environment. And most importantly your skills will progress. I started the weekend unable to reliably surf a kayak, and by Sunday I was "shredding" waves without coming out of my kayak at all. This is no small feat, surfing has been my week point since I started kayaking and I can say with confidence I now know how to surf a kayak. I could not say that before the weekend, and that should tell you everything you need to know about this class.
I'm so glad I found the team at Olympic Outdoor Center! Trina was excellent at facilitating and Brian the instructor is absolutely amazing! I'm very new at this and I feel I am learning the basics and the safety aspects in the absolute perfect venue. Thank you guys so much
It is hard to overstate what a good instructor Brian is and how much my husband and I learned from the Introduction to Sea Kayaking and Capsize Recovery class. His patience, good humor, and ability to teach to each student's level and confidence was really astonishing. It's also made us really excited to have Olympic Outdoor Center as a resource; everyone we dealt with there was professional and enthusiastic while also being super realistic and straightforward. If you're at all interested in learning anything beyond the tourist paddle, this class is an amazing foundation. The venue was perfect, the class was small, and the pace was really good. Highly, highly recommend.
The main reason my husband and I took this class was to learn the proper techniques for handling a capsize and recovery. We had done a little bit of kayaking but never tucked down beneath a skirt nor ventured far from shore in cold water. Brian and Noy were incredible and the whole group was so much fun. Handling the first capsize was such a relief and Bryan and Noy were so good about demonstrating the skills and guiding us. We spent quite a bit of time in the water but I was really comfortable with the dry suit/pfe provided. It also turned out our self taught stroke was very inefficient/arm heavy. I can’t rate this class or instructors high enough. Thanks so much for sharing your love of kayaking!!
Fantastig weekend with great instruction in an amazing location.
Great kayaking class, wonderful trainers. Absolute necessity for learning safety and about gear like immersion ready clothing and getting out of and into your kayak safely. Highly recommend.
Olympic outdoor center’s customer service is exemplary. I will go through them for my Kayaking needs as much as possible, as I believe in supporting my village.
Olympic outdoor center’s customer service is exemplary. I will go through them for my Kayaking needs as much as possible, as I believe in supporting my village.
I am much more confident in a kayak and will be spending time in one as often as I can. The instructor was great with clear and calm direction that made learning a breeze. It was a great introduction
Great day with John and 7 participants. We reviewed several useful paddle techniques, gear, clothing, and local paddling opportunities. Then on with the dry suits and into our boats. John clearly explained each recovery process then demonstrated. All 7 participants were successful in 2 person recovery. Perhaps all also in solo recovery. I left grateful for the experience and added a layer of confidence to my skill set on the water.
I have been paddling for many years and found the class spot on, learning several new techniques.
Thanks John! Great course.
I had done a fair amount of paddling in the past, but this course was exactly what I needed to bolster my confidence in my new kayak. Learned some new strokes, got good info on safety and actually enjoyed the experience of intentionally tipping the boat and re-entering. Recommend highly.
Great class and Very informative. Instructor was pleasant and patient.
The class itself was a lot of fun and very informative. Hawk was a great instructor and it was great getting out on the water and learning more about paddling and kayaks in general. Good stuff for sure.
The most anticipated part of the course, at least for me, was learning (and practicing) the various rescue techniques. Getting in the water and intentionally capsizing the boat was an odd feeling, exhilarating and turned out to be a lot of fun.
I never expected to have to use the knowledge I gained there, but at a recent outing at Lake Union my coworkers and I encountered some novice kayakers who had gone in the water and were getting dangerously cold. Thanks to the course I was able to guide everyone on how to get them back into their boats and we escorted them back to the dock. My coworkers later commented on how I seemed so calm and knew exactly what to do, and I have to 100% credit this course.
Definitely a must-do for anyone who wants to get out on the water!
High Five!
Prior to taking the class I was very uncomfortable being in my kayak. The course helped me get past my fears. The class size is small. almost one on one...everyone I was with had multiple chances to ask questions and practice on the water. Do yourself a favor and take the class.
My husband and I took this course together as we wanted to feel more comfortable on the water in our own kayak (we have a tandem - which Hawk included information on how we might handle this type of kayak). Hawk was so instructive and relaxed. The “rescue” segment of the course was well done and so important to know how this feels and how to handle it. I think this was especially good to do this in the actual environment. Not only was the course very thorough, but also FUN! If you want to increase your confidence on the water in a kayak this course is invaluable.
Recently took this class and can't say enough good things about the Olympic Outdoor Center and their instructors (Hawk and Dolphin). At 66 years old, 6'2" and around 210lbs I was a bit concerned about getting into one of these skinny boats. The instructors took their time and got me property fitted in a Kayak and even identified the need for a longer paddle. I felt a bit awkward in the morning session, but after lunch things fell into place and my comfort level increased to the point I want to get out on the water again as soon as possible. Great launch site by the Outdoor Center made it easy for entry and exits.
This class is very thorough,well paced and fun. Forrest was an excellent teacher. Very patient, knowledgeable and helpful. If you're wondering about kayaking and want to feel comfortable out on the water, this is the way to go.
Very informative, well run course. Having zero prior kayak experience, this course enabled me to go out kayaking on my own. Highly recommend!
Excellent class with very knowledgeable instructor.
Trainer bent over backwards to accommodate each student. He made it fun. If you're looking to learn how to Kayak, this is the place. Just do it!
