Kayak Academy

Kayak Course Descriptions

Paddling Strokes & Rescue Techniques
Learn the physical skills: strokes, rolls, and rescues. No prior kayaking experienced required, but if you are experienced we'll take you to higher levels. This is the most thorough kayak paddling skills course in the world. No-one is too experienced to benefit from this training. Click the course name link above for more details.

Leadership Training - Navigation & Trip Experience ...in the San Juan Islands
Paddle through waves, cross eddylines, and get hands-on experience at kayaking leadership and navigation, reading water, weather observations, predicting tides and currents, and kayak trip planning. If you own a sea kayak, you need this course. Click the course name link above for more details.

Five-Day Kayak Training Camp
Our most comprehensive sea kayaking course. Start with an expanded three-day version of our Paddle Strokes and Rescue Techniques course on Lake Sammamish (E. of Seattle), and cap it off with a two-day overnight camping Leadership Training & Trip Experience course in the San Juan Islands. Click above links for more details.

Exposed Coast Training Expedition - Sitka, Alaska
The ultimate advanced sea kayak adventure ... ten days in SE Alaska. Spend eight days paddling and wilderness camping with George Gronseth and Barb Sherrill on the exposed open coast of the Pacific Ocean in Alaska. Discover what it's like to leave the sheltered waters (and crowds) behind and paddle out into the open ocean. Along the way you'll learn to plan and lead your own future wilderness kayak expeditions. All this while spending over a week exploring a beautiful Alaskan wilderness coastline teeming with wildlife and the historic Russian outpost town of Sitka! Click above link for more details.

Greenland Paddling Technique
The Kayak Academy was the first N. American school to offer instruction in Greenland style paddling technique. George Gronseth's 1990 field research with native kayakers sent shock waves through the kayak industry, and George still has more experience teaching and paddling with Greenland style paddles than anyone this side of the Atlantic. Get started the right way, take lessons with George. The techniques for using Eskimo paddles are as different as propellers are from stern-paddle-wheels, and no-one understands this better than George Gronseth. Click above link for more details.

Greenland Paddle Carving and Paddling Technique
No prior woodworking experience required.
Build your own Greenland kayak paddle and start learning how to use it. All materials and tools provided in this one of a kind course that combines both shop time and on the water practice. Click above link for more details.

Greenland Rolling with Dubside
Greenland Eskimos developed the greatest variety of kayak rolling techniques and performed them with the narrow-bladed Greenland kayak paddle. Come learn Greenland style kayak rolls with Dubside who is a top contender in the Greenland National Qajaq (Kayak) Rolling Competition. Semi-Private Instruction includes Layback Rolls and Forward Ending Rolls or Private Instruction for Advanced Rolls.

Tidal Rapids Training ...in Deception Pass
Learn how to play with, instead of fear, tide rips and rough water! One full day in the amazing tidal rapids at Deception Pass. Click above link for more details.

Ocean Surf Kayaking
Ride waves, carve turns, and learn to launch and land in surf. The best bracing practice there is, and an outragiously fun time! Click above link for more details.

High Wind Training
Are you prepared for getting caught in gale force conditions? Test your skills in the high winds and steep waves that make the Gorge on the Columbia River a world famous destination for expert sail boarders. This is our most challenging one-day course. You must be an experienced paddler with much training under your belt. This course is only offered once per year (June or July), start preparing now for next year's class by signing up for our Surfing, Tidal Rapids Training, and Cross Over River Training classes this year. Click above link for more details.

Semi-Exposed Coast Training Expedition - Sitka, Alaska
This is a slightly mellower, easier paced, advanced-intermediate version of our Exposed Coast Training Expedition. You'll still get ten days in Alaska with George Gronseth and experience paddling in swells, but fewer miles per day and less exposure to the full force of the open ocean. Click above link for more details.

River Kayak Cross Training for Sea Kayakers
Don't start over. Learn river kayaking as an extension of your sea kayaking skills. Master boat handling skills, and learn a new avenue for fun! One to three day courses. Click above link for more details.

Kids Kayak Day Camp
Five-day Kids Kayak Camp based at Lake Sammamish State Park Swim Beach, Issaquah, Washington. Have fun while learning kayak paddle strokes and safety skills. Some highlights of the week include building and racing cardboard kayaks, exploring Issaquah creek, and taking a day-long kayak trip on the final day. Sorry, the lesson is for kids only, ages 11 - 17. Click above link for more details.

Kayak Demo Day
Click above link for more details.

© George Gronseth 2003, all rights reserved.

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