Advanced Kayak Skills Training

Advanced Tides and Currents

Class Length: 1-Day

Fee $ 235

Advanced kayak skills training. Learn the sea kayaking skills and strategies for dealing with the powerful currents, tidal races, and overfalls that run through the San Juan Islands in this 1-day course. 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 kayak skills you need to plan an easy, fun, and safe trip. We start by refreshing your technique, and then we enter these races and build your confidence as the tidal currents increase. This is a great kayak class to start building your rough water kayaking ability and to broaden your knowledge of the sea. Come to this class with play in mind!

Highlights

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

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.

Cattle Pass Clinic

Class Length: 2 Days

Location: Cattle Pass, Lopez Island, WA

Fee $ 435

Cattle Pass is one of the most incredible rough water locations on the West Coast. The tide race that forms here provides some of the best surfing that you can find in the Islands, and is a great venue for those looking to test their metal, and wanting to learn more advanced paddling skills.

In this course, we will focus primarily on rough water paddling skills including paddle strokes, maneuvers, and rescue skills. However, we will also spend a little time at the chart table looking at navigation and tidal planning. The south end of Lopez Island offers amazing exploration opportunites, along with other smaller tide races and unique wildlife, all with the backdrop of the Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan De Fuca.

Course price does not include ferry ride or accommodation on Lopez Island. We have reserved the group site at Odlin County Park, which students are welcome to share. You are also welcome to secure your own accommodation. Space is limited, so if you’re arriving with anything but a tent, please inquire before planning to stay at our site.

Highlights

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.

Stunning Paddling location
Surfing Skills
Tidal planning skills
Efficient paddling in rough water
Rescue skills

Prerequisites:

Deception Pass Clinic or other adequate swift water experience. Call us if you're unsure of your ability!

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.

Schedule Info

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View all the available classes during any time period.