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Menu
  • Home
  • Courses
    • FULL COURSE LIST
      • Foundation Skills
      • Core Skills
      • Pool Classes – Kayak Rolling and Bracing
      • Advanced Skills
      • Kayak Safety and Rescue
      • Leadership: Guides & Trip Leaders
      • British Canoeing – Kayaking Certifications
      • Private Sea Kayak Coaching
    • FIND BY DATE
  • About
    • Our Story
    • Coaches
  • Resources
    • Directions
    • PDF Liability Waiver
    • Weather & Navigation
    • Paddling Links
    • Explore Anacortes
  • BBB News
  • Email BBB

Core Skills – Sea Kayak

Coach-Participant Ratio 1:6

Sea Kayak Core Skills - Learning what it takes to make your sea kayaking skills effective, efficient, and easy on the body. This series of fun sea kayaking classes will help you to develop the core of your understanding and knowledge as a paddler.  Studying kayak paddling technique through the relationship between the body, boat, and blade, and then applying this knowledge to the environment is our main goal. This series of sea kayaking classes will also help to further your understanding of camping from a kayak and help prepare you for planning your future sea kayak expeditions by developing a method of assessing risk, navigation, and trip planning.

Deception Pass Clinic

Class Length: 2-Days
Location: Anacortes, WA
Fee $ 419

Learn to master the challenge that is Deception Pass in this 2-day clinic. Deception Pass is world renowned as one of the best paddling destinations in the world and is our favorite classroom! Participants in this kayak class will learn how to read the water, identify and navigate hazards, paddle efficiently, and how to have fun even when the water gets a little rough. Your kayak coaches will introduce new concepts that will enable you to effectively enter and exit tidal streams and cope with other features that dynamic water creates. Self-rescue techniques and assisted-rescue techniques will be introduced throughout each day.

This class is mainly focused on understanding hydrodynamics and techniques for playing. If you are most interested in navigation and tidal planning, check out our Navigation and Tidal Planning!

 

Highlights

After taking this course you will have a foundation to build on your rough water skills which will make your kayaking more enjoyable when you are out on your own.

  • Develop a base understanding of how tides operate
  • How are currents created
  • What information you need for a day on the sea
  • Effective paddle strokes for moving water
  • Rescue techniques in moving water
  • Risk management in a dynamic environment

Navigation and Tidal Planning

Class Length: 2-Day
Fee $ 419

With some time at the chart table, and some time on the water weaving your way through the beautiful San Juan Islands, you will learn the foundations of sea kayak navigation and tidal planning. Using compass, chart, and watch, you will be introduced to concepts such as fixing your position, planning for currents and wind, reading a chart, and staying on course in areas of moderate tidal movement. You will be well on your way to becoming the captain of your craft, and ready to set out on your own adventure!

The first day of this course is spent in the classroom, and the second day is a full day on the water.

Highlights

This course will allow you to learn how tides and currents operate, ways to predict their timing, and plan a day on the sea. Then you will put your plan into practice and learn ways to adjust it based on conditions!

  • How tides are created
  • How currents are created
  • Where to find tidal planning information
  • How to predict time of high water, low water, maximum current, and slack water
  • How tide interacts with wind and waves
  • What information do you need for a day on the sea
  • Fundamentals of kayak navigation

Sea Kayak Foundations - Level 2

Class Length: 2-Day
Location: Anacortes, Fidalgo Island, WA 98221
Fee $ 419

This core sea kayaking class is intended for kayakers who have a solid grasp of their foundational skills and who want to learn more complex sea kayaking techniques to enhance their paddling experience.  We develop a deeper understanding of how to control our boats with certainty and ease. You will work on gaining mastery of edge control and blade awareness in order to prepare you for eventually applying them to the dynamic conditions found in faster-moving and agitated water. Learn how much fun sea kayak touring can be as you control your kayak with effective, efficient body positioning and paddle strokes, making every day on the water feel more comfortable.

Highlights

Making your strokes and maneuvers more efficient means you can paddle longer, go farther with less chance of injury, and feel as you move through the water.

  • Expand your paddle stroke “tool box”
  • Efficient use of paddle strokes
  • Develop your contextual understanding of kayak maneuvers (what to do when/where)
  • Increase speed of self/assisted rescues
Prerequisites:

Basic understanding of how to move your sea kayak using body, boat and blade; wet exits; foundational strokes

Explore Deception Pass

Class Length: 1 Day
Location: Deception Pass, San Juan Islands, WA
Fee $ 209

Do you wanted to kayak in Deception Pass but feel like going it alone is too big a bite? This kayak class is intended for Intermediate or Advanced beginner kayakers looking to explore and experience Deception Pass with an experienced instructor and guide by their side.

This class is perfect for people who do not have time for a 2-day class, who may be travelling through, or for people who just need some structured and guided experience in a dynamic water environment.

 

Highlights

Fun, Exciting, guided learning experience in Deception Pass!

  • Have an experienced guide by your side
  • Explore and Experience one of the best kayaking venues in the world!
  • Tips and Tricks for more efficient paddling in moving water
Prerequisites:

Foundations 1/2 skills &basic understanding of moving water

Combat Bracing and Kayak Rolling

Class Length: 1-Day
Fee $ 235

Kayak capsize recoveries such as rolling, and solid effective bracing are among the most sought after skills in paddle sports. In our Combat Kayak Rolling class, we will take your flat water skills and apply them to moving water. Many of the mechanics of kayak rolling and bracing are the same and you will learn to apply the correct technique in a dynamic environment. At Body Boat Blade we’ve developed an effective progression to get students to learn and be successful at these highly desired kayaking skills. In this sea kayak class we will spend time developing a solid understanding of what your body needs to do in order to recover from an off-balanced position whether it is slight or a complete capsize. We will help you develop solid foundations for successful practice. This is a fun and active class, prepare to get wet!

Highlights

Combat rolling is all about muscle memory and finding your zen while upside down. In this course we will work on muscle memory, then take your roll into the environment which you will be using it in.

  • Different types of kayak rolls and their effectiveness
  • Which kayak roll works best for you
  • Exercises to develop muscle memory
Prerequisites:

A working kayak roll in calm water is important for this class. If you are still working on this skill, but have not yet mastered it, then we recommend joining our Foundations Kayak Rolling and Bracing class first. You should be reasonably comfortable kayaking in moving water and also possess a working knowledge of basic paddling strokes. Participants should be comfortable wet exiting and re-entering their kayaks and having their heads underwater. You need to be able to swim. We will be wearing life jackets at all times during the class but you will need to be able to swim through the water for short distances.

Whitewater For Sea Kayakers

Class Length: 2-Day
Fee $ 419

Developing your skills in a variety of paddlesport disciplines is perhaps the best way to becoming the strongest sea kayaker you can be. The ocean is really just a massive river that changes direction a few times a day, and through that lens we can improve our water reading abilities, ability to paddle in dynamic conditions, and increase our understanding of how our craft interacts with the water. Whitewater kayaking will hone your reflexes and increase your ability to move through dynamic water with less effort and fear. A river provides an endless amount of variable eddylines and other features which gives you the opportunity to put your skills into practice with a much higher frequency than you can usually find on the sea. When you get back into your sea kayak you’ll be amazed at how much more comfortable you are on the water!

Highlights

Becoming a more well-rounded paddler will increase your skills across all paddling disciplines. In this course, we will decrease the size of our environment to increase our skills as sea kayakers.n>

  • Improve water reading abilities
  • Efficient use of paddle strokes
  • Scouting a rapid and identifying hazards and water features
  • Introduction to whitewater safety and rescue

Expedition Kayak Skills Course 3-Day

Class Length: 3-Day
Fee $ 709

This kayak skills development class is a multi-day overnight sea kayaking trip with coaching along the way. Designed for students who have taken classes from us in the past, or have a solid foundation of kayaking skills, and who want to continue developing but may not feel ready to paddle into the islands on their own. This is a fantastic opportunity to blend a San Juan Islands kayak adventure with top-level sea kayak coaching. This class can help you further develop your tidal planning, navigation, and other personal sea kayak skills.

Highlights

Enjoy the beauty of the San Juan Islands on the multi-day adventure while working on your planning, navigation, and paddling skills.

  • Camping from your kayak
  • Navigation skills
  • Tidal planning
  • How to use the environment to your advantage
  • Efficient paddling for longer trips
  • Rescue skills

Expedition Kayak Skills Course 5-Day

Class Length: 5-Day
Fee $ 1049

This is our most comprehensive sea kayaking class. For 5 days, you will be immersed in sea kayaking in the San Juan Islands. We will use the pull of the moon to go from one island to another, faster and with less effort. We will learn how to go from a “low oxygen environment” to a “high oxygen environment” with the drop of a leg and a sweep of the paddle. We will eat seaweed, see awesome wildlife, and roast marshmallows by the campfire. This is a learning vacation! With other paddlers and great coaches, you will learn about: kayak technique, sea kayak rescues, kayak rolling, towing, reading and predicting currents, and sea kayak navigation. If you are passionate about kayaking, have the stamina to play hard for five days in a row, and love to learn, this is a great class for you!

Highlights

Enjoy the beauty of the San Juan Islands on the multi-day adventure while working on your planning, navigation, leadership, and paddling skills on our most comprehensive multi-day course.

  • Camping from your kayak
  • Navigation skills
  • Tidal planning
  • How to use the environment to your advantage
  • Efficient paddling for longer trips
  • Rescue skills

Coastal Kayaking Clinic

Class Length: 3 Days
Location: Crescent Bay, WA
Fee $ 675

The coaches at Body Boat Blade have designed a coastal kayaking clinic to help paddlers develop the skills needed to safely paddle in the coastal environment. Here we will introduce paddlers to the surf zone, getting through the break and back to the beach. We will work on boat control skills that will allow us to navigate the coastal environment with elegance. We will also spend some time on shore looking at forecasting, reading swells, charts, and other important planning skills.

View the specific course listing for more information!

Highlights
  • Surf Zone Skills
  • Launching & Landing
  • Self/Assisted Rescues
  • Navigation
  • Risk Assessment
  • Having fun on the Coast!
  • Prerequisites:

    Paddlers on this course should have taken our Foundations Level 1 & 2 course (or have equivalent skills) and be comfortable swimming in turbulent water. Paddlers should have above a basic level of boat control (Forward, sweep, reverse and draw), though we do not expect anyone to be pros. You do NOT need to know every paddle stroke. Paddlers should have an understanding of bracing. Paddlers should have an understanding of their gear and its use/fit. If you are unsure if you meet the requirements, but would like to sign up for the course, just send us a message! we would love to talk with you

    Jump to Course Info

    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
    Check our schedule >

    View all the available classes during any time period.

    COURSES:

    • Foundation Skills
    • Core Skills
    • Pool Classes – Kayak Rolling and Bracing
    • Advanced
    • Safety & Rescue
    • Leadership Training
    • British Canoeing – Kayaking Certifications
    • Private Sea Kayak Coaching
    • Foundation Skills
    • Core Skills
    • Pool Classes – Kayak Rolling and Bracing
    • Advanced
    • Safety & Rescue
    • Leadership Training
    • British Canoeing – Kayaking Certifications
    • Private Sea Kayak Coaching

    More Info

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    • 2009 Skyline Way Anacortes, WA 98221
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