Paddle Safety Skills Practice: Repeating Session

Everyone involved with sea kayaking should receive instruction early on in safety and rescue skills. Kayaking is fun, takes us to beautiful places, and is easy to get started with. But the risks are high if one goes out in conditions without solid and practiced skills in bracing, self-rescue, group rescue and other safety skills.

As we advance, it both expands our capabilities and increases the fun to add skills, such as rolling and static bracing, to our repertoire. But again, it takes practice go get these skills reliable.

What This Meetup Is Not: This is NOT the training you need to get started. No training is being provided at these sessions. If you have not yet received basic instruction in sea kayaking safety skills, please, post-haste, sign up for a session with one of the following outstanding local training providers:

Northwest Outdoor Center (http://www.nwoc.com)

Kayak Academy (http://www.kayakacademy.com)

Rogue Wave Adventures (http://www.roguewaveadventures.com)

Cascade Canoe & Kayak (http://www.canoe-kayak.com/home)

Alki Kayak Tours (http://kayakalki.com)

What This Is: Initial training is not enough. It is important to regularly practice and improve our safety skills. This is a practice session for Seattle Sea Kayak Meetup Group members and guests. It is practice only - no instruction will be provided. Just a group of paddling buddies practicing together and helping each other out with everything from basic re-entry to advanced Greenland techniques. It is therefore important to understand that each person is responsible for their own a** - I mean safety. Use caution, prudence, and practice what you’ve been taught. Waivers will be required on-site.

Practice sessions that provide instructional coaching include:

Kayak Academy Wednesday Evening practice series at Tibbits Beach on Lake Sammamish: Highly recommended, especially if you are on the east side.

Rogue Wave Adventures Tuesday Sessions at Magnusen Park: Check with the contact information above to find out if/when these are occurring.

Schedule: Alternating Thursdays (may vary). Always check the Meetup group calendar to see if/when this is occurring. Sessions depend on a group organizer being available, and their preferred time/location. Although, of course, if it’s not on the calendar, you can always agree informally to meet with some paddling friends for practice off-calendar, and in the location of your choice.

We’ll start at 6:30, practice for an hour or more, then decide if we want to find local food & brews afterward.

Location: This may vary depending on the organizer of the week. We will start at the Kayak Beach at South Lake Union Park - it being central for west-siders, freshwater, nice beach. It also allows for anyone who might need to rent a kayak at nearby Northwest Outdoor Center for the session. Parking in the Westlake lot nearby is free on the street side, and parking should be opening up from commuters at this time of day.

South Lake Union Park

900 Westlake Ave N

Seattle, WA 98109-3523