We offer private and small group instruction fully customized to meet individual needs and skills, and at various locations in WA State. Navigation, Capsize & Recovery, Intro to Coastal Paddling, Rolling, Kayak Surfing, Trip Planning, and more below. Also check out our Tours page and we are happy to teach in conjunction with a tour.

Better still why not combine instruction during one of our guided trips and get the best of both worlds! Contact us and we can design a progam to suit. Instruction prices below are for locations in and around Olympia WA. We will travel to any location to teach. A slight increase in travel costs will be added to prices below:

Intro to Kayaking New to kayaking?. This half day course will go over the basics, and get you on the water. What equipment do you need?, how do I get in and out without tipping over?, paddle strokes, what to do if you capsize, and some basics on staying safe and planning a trip? $95 each, includes a guided 2-3 hour tour.

Trip Planning This course will get you well on the way to safely planning a trip, where to get charts?, tide and current information, useful guide books, equipment lists and packing techniques for expeditions and our invaluable tips developed over fifteen years of wilderness paddling. We will customize this course for you! $35 each person.

Rolling see movie

Private lessons $45 for 2 hrs at Ward Lake see map- the cleanest spring fed lake in town! Or invite a friend and get a discount $60 for 2 people. If you're not rolling by the third lesson we work with you for free!

Kayak Navigation, Part One

A morning classroom session going over nautical terminology & kayak navigation, including traditional compass work and a GPS introduction. Learn to take a bearing, and pre plan and plot your course before heading out to sea. Learn how to read charts and more. Classroom setting. Olympia venue $35 for a 4hr class.

Kayak Navigation, Part Two - on the water

An afternoon practical session taking classroom navigation into the field! Learn just how useful pre planning and charting before you leave the beach becomes. Know how fast you paddle? We will practice Dead Reckoning and Piloting. Bring your kayak and equipment, and any navigation devices you own. Olympia venue. $55 for a 4hr class.

Capsize & Recovery

This class will teach you the inevitable - yes you will eventually tip your kayak over so you WILL learn many recovery techniques, such as the T rescue, assisted and solo options, and others so you will be prepared and safe on your outings. Learn balance techniques and also the skills to also rescue your instructor!. This class will also certify you so you can tag along on our more adventurous multi day tours such as the northern San Juan Islands & Deception Pass, and a certificate is awarded to successful candidates. Olympia location. $85for 3 hrs.

Capsize and recovery Advanced

Fine tune your rolls and recovery skills in moving water. This course will fine tune the same skills developed in rolling and recovery courses above but gradually expose you to more trying environmental situations (wind and current)- all under the watchful eye of your private instructor. Then if you know how to roll, finish with learning the re entry and roll technique. You choose your paddle playground: Deception Pass, Cape disappointment are good choices. $140 for a days session.$200 for 2 people.

Comprehensive Coastal Workshop (CCoW) & Comprehensice Current workshop (CCuW) Both 3 day workshops are geared toward intermediate paddlers who are anxious to increase their paddling skills and comfort level in a more challenging environment or for those who might be interested in becoming a guide/instructor themselves. Taught in partership with Essex Explorations please click this link for a deatiled list of topics the course covers and dates available.