Coastal Kayaking Clinic – Cape Flattery

Cape Flattery is the most Northwestern point of the contiguous United States, and boasts some of the most spectacular coastal kayaking in the entire state. Caves, sea stacks, abundant wildlife, a feeling of remoteness, and an excellent surf beach all within walking distance from your camp.

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. In this clinic we will be taking paddlers into the surf and playing near rocky outcrops (also known as “rock hopping.”) We will work on boat control skills that will allow us to navigate the coastal environment with elegance. We will work on timing, setting safety, and rescues. We will also spend some time on shore looking at forecasting, reading swells, charts, and other important planning skills.

If conditions allow, this trip will include a trip out to the Cape – either paddling all the way around or out and back.

Cape Flattery is an absolutely stunning place to kayak. Even if you don’t get on the water, the scenery and wildlife will keep you in awe the entire weekend. We have spent many days here over the years and love to share this area with others.

Where:

The course will be based entirely around Hobuck Beach and Cape Flattery, though it is possible that we will drive to another location depending on conditions.

We will meet at the Hobuck Beach campground, exact location TBD but it’s pretty easy to find the kayakers here.

When:

July 21-23. We will meet at 10am on Friday to begin our course. Each successive day we will meet at 9am.

We’ll end by early afternoon on July 23th to try and give everyone enough daylight to drive home.

What:

There will be an opportunity (not mandatory) for interested participants to assess for either ACA L4 Skills or British Canoeing Coastal Sea Kayak Award.

If you are interested in either of these opportunities, please let us know. You will need to have an active membership with the organization(s) and meet the requirements of the award during the course.

Content Covered:

• Surf Zone Skills
• Timing for paddling through rocky outcrops
• Launching & Landing
• Self/Assisted Rescues
• Navigation
• Risk Assessment
• Having fun on the Coast!

Specific activities will be dependent on conditions of the weekend and are subject to change.

Lodging:

Hobuck Beach Resort offers the closest camping option. This is where the coaches will be staying. There is first come first serve camping, and reservable cabins.

You will also need to purchase a Recreation Use Permit for $20 from the Makah Tribe. You can do so from various businesses in town including the museum, gas station, and grocery store. They are vaild for one calendar year, so keep it if you plan on coming out for another trip!

Required Equipment:

• Sea Kayak with adequate floatation (bulkheads) & deck lines
• Paddle
• Immersion Wear (Drysuit or 3-5mm wetsuit with windproof top)
• Spray Deck
• PFD
• Helmet
• Towline

If you do not possess any of the required equipment, we are able to provide them with enough notice. If you have other gear that you normally paddle with that you would like to bring, please bring it!

Kayak Rental: $30/day (includes skirt, pfd & paddle if needed)

Drysuit Rental: $25/day (includes footwear if needed)

Pre-requisites:

Paddlers on this course should have taken our Foundations Level 1 & 2 course and our Crescent Beach Coastal Clinic (or have equivalent skills) and be comfortable swimming in turbulent water. This should not be anyone’s first coastal kayaking experience, though if it is and you still feel you meet the required skill level, please contact us!

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.