Advanced Kayak Skills Training

Coach–Participant Ratio 1:4

Starting with a solid foundation and understanding of core kayaking skills, these additional classes are designed to expand your horizon and to deepen your knowledge and experience as a paddler. Playing in tidal races, navigating at night, learning “twenty-seven” different ways to roll your kayak and learning how to lead a group will all enhance and strengthen your abilities and your confidence as a paddler of any craft. These classes include the core knowledge for becoming an effective leader on the sea. Knowledge is good, more knowledge is better.

Advanced Tides and Currents

Class Length: 2-Day

Fee $ 399

Learn the skills and strategies for dealing with the powerful currents, tidal races, and overfalls that run through the San Juan Islands. We will explore ferry gliding, how to read water, crossing strategies, and how to predict the time, speed, and direction of currents. These are the skills you need to plan an easy, fun, and safe trip. We start by refreshing your skills, and then we enter these races and build your confidence as the currents increase. This is a great class to start building your rough water skills and broaden your knowledge of the sea. Come to this class with play in mind!

We will use the best tidal venues in the Islands to test your skills and build rough water confidence. We will dive deeper into the intricacies of reading water and tidal planning.

Highlights:

Build rough water confidence
Rescue skills
Efficient use of paddle strokes and linking them together
Dealing with common incidents

Prerequisites:

This class is similar to our Deception Pass Tides & Currents course (on our Core Classes page), but will be conducted at higher tidal velocities. Participants who have not taken this Core class should have experience paddling in the more dynamic features found in fast-moving water. Please call if you have questions.

Tidal Currents Progression

Class Length: 3-Day

Location: Anacortes, Fidalgo Island, WA 98221

Fee $ 625

The poets say that “variety is the spice of life” and we believe them. Kayaking in diverse situations is the most effective way to develop comprehensive skill sets. We will test our skills using multiple venues, helping us develop a more well-rounded ability to read water, react to changing conditions, and use our body, boat, and blade more effectively. This instructional course will explore the best tidal races that the San Juan Islands have to offer. Starting in Deception Pass we will practice using advanced paddling techniques to master the swift-moving water and incredible features. Afterward, we will take a ferry into the San Juan Islands to spend the remainder of the class working in our very favorite tidal race. Prepare to have sore cheeks from so much smiling and tired arms from so much fun!

Come on a journey to progress your rough water paddling skills in some of the best venues in the PNW. Increase your skills, confidence, and knowledge of the sea in this progressive course.

Highlights:

Paddle in multiple venues in the San Juans
Water reading skills
Tidal planning skills
Efficient paddling in rough water
Rescue skills

How To Register

The first step to register for a class with Body Boat Blade is to select an available date from the Class Schedule and complete your online reservation. A few of our courses are not on the schedule. For these courses please contact us to discuss your needs and objectives for a personalized course of study.

Next, as part of the onboarding process for all courses, each participant fills out a questionnaire about past kayak experience and general health. We find this extra step helps ensure you get the greatest benefit from your time with us and that you have found the right class to grow your kayaking skills.

BBB coaches review each application. We will get in touch with you to confirm that your application has been successfully reviewed or to clarify any questions that may arise. Once you receive your confirmation, your next step will be found in Getting Ready

Not sure if a class is right for you? For all of our guests, we want to be sure you have the best experience possible and meet all of your goals. We can help you find a class that matches your skill level and paddling goals, answer all of your questions, talk about class/trip prerequisites and requirements, and get you signed up. Just get in touch!

What To Expect

You can expect a low student to instructor ratio that is appropriate to your class, a lot of one-on-one time with instructors, and coaching that matches your learning style.

Full Day courses will last approximately 6-8hrs, depending on the needs of the group and prevailing conditions.

If you do not have your own gear then we have rental packages available. Call us for details.