Adventurous Journeys (Experience Orientated Kayak Trips With Instruction)
Below you'll find short descriptions of the kayak tours we call our "Adventurous Journeys", click the links in blue for more specific information on each Adventurous Journey. Each Journey's web page includes a schedule of upcoming dates for that kayak trip and details about what's included, prerequisites, and tuition fees.
"Adventurous Journeys" are sea kayak trips featuring instruction and experience building as opposed to guided tours with beginners in doubles. If you're one of our alumni or a BCU three or four star kayaker or ACA equivalent, we have an Adventurous Journey for you. We offer a whole series of Adventurous Journeys suited to a variety of skill levels at locations ranging from Lake Sammamish to SE Alaska with the Puget Sound and San Juan Islands filling the gaps in between. You can begin enjoying these Adventurous Journeys after taking our SK 101 class or higher level courses (or equivalent with approval).
SK 101 Beginning Sea Kayak Safety Skills
Get off to a great start by learning the basic sea kayak safety skills and paddle strokes. SK 101 is not a Journey; we list it here because it (or equivalent) is a prerequisite for the Adventurous Journeys below. No prior kayaking experienced required; if you can swim, you can take this course. More
SK 103 First Journey & Forward Stroke Development - On The Lake
Take your first trip in a single person touring kayak on the lake with us. Get some miles under your keel in sheltered conditions with no tides, currents or ships to worry about. We'll coach you on your forward stroke and techniques for steering straight. For both beginning sea kayakers and recreational kayakers, SK 103 is a perfect trip to build your confidence and paddling skill after taking our SK 101. SK 101 or higher level courses (or equivalent with approval) is a prerequisite. More
SK 104 Adventurous Journey - On Salt Water (near Seattle)
Explore the middle Puget Sound shoreline near Seattle while practicing basic navigation, rules of the road, strokes and rescues. These trips are a perfect way to gain experience kayaking in tidal salt water without having to deal with fast currents. We have two locations for this trip; so you can double your experience by taking SK 104 a couple times without repeating the exact same trip. With instructors approval, most students can come on our SK 104 trips immediately after taking our SK 101 or higher level courses (or equivalent with approval). More
SK 112 Adventurous Journey - In Tidal Currents (Rosario Strait/N Puget Sound)
Gain experience kayaking in tidal current while exploring the northern Puget Sound shoreline. We have two main locations for this trip; so you can double your experience by taking SK 112 a couple times without necessarily repeating the exact same trip. With instructors approval, many students can come on our SK 112 trips immediately after taking our SK 101 (however, some students may be required to get prior trip experience such as SK 103 or 104) or higher level courses (or equivalent with approval). More
SK 114 Adventurous Journey - Has been changed to SK 209
SK 116 Adventurous Journey - Camping In The San Juan Islands (Five Days and Four Nights)
Take a kayak holiday and enjoy five days and four nights of kayak camping in the San Juan Islands. On the water you'll get to practice skills and challenge yourself in real conditions with exposure to wind and currents. We’ll explore the coastlines of Orcas, Shaw, Lopez, and San Juan Island or head to the outer northern islands depending on the winds and weather.
SK 207 Adventurous Journey - Island Circumnavigation (Shaw I. or Cypress I.)
Make a one-day circumnavigation of Cypress Island or Shaw Island in the San Juan Island Archipelago. Get experience chart reading and trip planning while kayaking around one of the islands in the San Juan Island archipelago. Prerequisites: SK 111 or higher level courses plus prior trip experience (or equivalent with approval). More
SK 209 Adventurous Journey - Cross The Puget Sound (to Blake Island)
Experience what it's like to make a three mile crossing by kayak across the Puget Sound -- near Seattle. An intro to practical navigation and rules of the road are the key points in this journey. With instructor's approval, students can come on SK 209 after taking our SK 113 or 115 or higher level courses (or equivalent with approval). Must be able to maintain 4 knots for one hour. More
SK 301 Adventurous Journey - On The Coast of SE Alaska (Sitka)
Explore the Pacific coast of Alaska in one-person sea kayaks – you’ll see a beautiful Alaskan wilderness coastline teeming with wildlife and the historic Russian outpost town of Sitka! An amazing intermediate level sea kayak adventure. Spend eight days paddling and wilderness camping with the Kayak Academy crew. Prerequisites: SK 113 or 115 or higher level courses plus prior rough water experience (or equivalent with approval). More
SK 306 Adventurous Journey - On The Washington Coast (Cape Flattery)
Go out and “around the corner” of the remote northwestern point of the continental US. This three day course will explore Cape Flattery and Point of Arches. Along the way you’ll learn about paddling in an exposed coastal environment with surf, sea caves, arches, sea cliffs and sea stacks. Prerequisites: SK 113 or 115 or higher level courses plus prior rough water experience (or equivalent with approval). More
SK 311 Adventurous Journey - Through Cattle Pass Tide Rips
Big adventure on a one-day advanced level journey. Paddle the most challenging tidal rapids in the San Juan Islands on a day when the currents are at their strongest. Yes, this is a one-day trip due to riding with the current. Prerequisites: SK 113 or 115 or higher level courses plus prior rough water experience (or equivalent with approval). More