Tomales Bay Sea Kayaking Classes

Blue Waters Kayaking is dedicated to developing sea kayakers with safe paddling skills, basic seamanship, knowledge and respect of the ocean environment. Our sea kayaking classes are designed for those interested in learning sea kayaking basics or improving their skill level, as well as for those who intend to be responsible for others on the water. Blue Waters Kayaking instructors are sensitive to the challenges of learning and we maintain small group sizes in all of our courses to ensure that you will receive individualized and personalized instruction.

Skills Class I: Sea Kayaking Basics ~ $110

8:45 am to 3:30 pm see schedule
This course gives you a foundation to start kayaking safely.  We begin with an orientation to kayaks, gear and the basics of paddling strokes. We then teach paddling strokes, bracing tecniques, and ultimately learning wet-exits, and re-entry (recovery) techniques.  Our day concludes with an introduction to reading: tide logs, charts and weather.  Successful completion of this class enables a kayaker to rent closed deck kayaks from most outfitters. (Pre-req: Students must be prepared to have fun and get wet!)  ***Special: Upon completion, receive 50% off your next rental of a closed deck boat (up to $50 max.)

Skills Class II: The Next Stroke ~ $110

9:00 am to 3 pm see schedule
Taken the SKB and ready for "The Next Stroke"? While the SKB focusses on the all-important recovery techniques, this follow-up class features the intermediate skills of "edging" and "bracing": the skills you will need to feel competent and capable of paddling your kayak in challenging conditions. By the end of this class you feel much more in control of your kayak in wind and waves, able to steer without the use of a rudder, and you will have learned the basics of surf landing: all essential skills for paddling on an expedition trip. You may even get started on your roll. Taught by our patient and expert instructors, virtually everyone "gets it". This class is a must for anyone intersted in pursuingthe sport of sea kayaking. And it is loads of fun. Enrollment is limited, so sign up now!  (Pre-req: Skills I, or equiv.)

Skills Class III(a):Tides & Currents at Tomales Bay ~ $125

9:00 am to 3:00 pm see schedule
Continuing on your quest for open coast exploration, our skills III paddling class is taught by ACA certified instructors. We begin by meeting at Nick's Cove, (3.5mi. North of Marshall), and we will head out towards the mouth of Tomales Bay. Skills training will include bracing, hands-on navigation, towing tecniques, rough water recoveries, and practice reading: tides, currents, charts. A review of basic and intermediate paddling skills will give our instructors a chance to address opportunities for improvement, while helping you build on your strengths. The focus of this class is to provide personalized instruction in an exciting and challenging environment. (Pre-req: Skills Class II, or equiv.)

Skills Class V: Surf Zone and Intro to Surf Kayaking~ $150

9:00 am to 3:00 pm see schedule
The surf zone class will refine your paddling skills, to increase your confidence & improve your tecnique in a surf zone setting. This class begins with analyzing, waves, and open coast stratagies. Then we review paddle strokes with a strong emphasis on bracing. On the beach, students will learn to identify the different components of the surf zone in addition to wave dynamics and timing. On the water, students will learn to identify hazards, practice launching and landing kayaks, broaching, bracing, side surfing, and different landing techniques. Pre-req: Sea Kayaking Basics and skills Classes II & III.

BCU Training in BAJA: 8 day trip - 6 days of instruction
2010 Schedule TBA

Ready to jump-start your kayaking skills with a weeklong skills training in beautiful Baja this December? The first three days of this trip we will receive skills training from Five-Star BCU coach Ginni Callahan, one of Baja's preeminent guides and instructors.
Here is what Ginni says about the BCU trainings: "2-Star skills are about figuring out why the boat does what it does and how to be the most efficient--using edges for turning, using blade angles and momentum, engaging the body for power and stamina. By the time one passes 3-Star, all of that is instinctive. Forward,
backward,bracing, rolling, towing, rescues. 3-Star gets a paddler ready to go challenge rough water with style and efficiency." This phase of the trip will be based from our Eco-Retreat on the Sea of Cortez.The next phase of our trip will sometimes be on the Sea of Cortez and may be on the Pacific Coast, we'll camp for three nights and use the skills we have just worked on. We will be looking for rough water and waves to practice our new skills.

Baja Mexico Tours are a great way to practice your skills

BWK has many options for warm weather tours during the winter/spring months. We have expedition tours twhere we camp for 3 to 6 nights on remote wilderness islands off the coast of Baja near Loreto, in Baja Sur. We also have tours where we stay at our comfortable eco-retreat for 3 nights and do day kayak and hiking trips and then head out to islands for expedition camping.All our guides are excellent kayak instructors as well as awesome naturalists. They are fun loving and will help you move your paddling to a new level. These trips are very personalized. Your guides will be working with you on your techniques as much as you want.

We offer single kayaks on each trip. We do need to have doubles to move kitchen gear around so we do not guarantee that anyone will spend the whole trip in single. We do guarantee that you will get an opportunity to paddle in a single if that is what you want. (weather permitting)

Boy Scout Kayaking Patch - Special Class ~ $65
This special 4-hour class provides Boy Scouts with the instruction necessary to gain their Kayaking BSA Patch.  We start with an orientation to gear and kayaks, then the basic strokes and rescue techniques for safe BSA kayaking.  This class is taught by an ACA (American Canoe Assn) certified instructor.  Successful completion of this class will allow a Boy Scout to apply for his Kayaking BSA Patch.  Pre-req: Student must be a Boy Scout and have successfuly completed their BSA swimmers test, must be prepared to have fun and to get wet!

Roll Clinic ~ $88
The "kayak-roll" is the ultimate self-rescue!  With practice and tecnique, it's possible to roll your kayak after a capsize.  This course is for anyone wanting to become a confident paddler in surf, rivers, or open coast conditions. To ensure personalized instruction, the student to instructor ratio is kept at 2:1. This creates an intimate and customized learning environment. Classes are two hours long.  (Pre-req: Skills I or equiv.) Above price based on two person participation. Individual instruction available at $55 per hour, 2-hour minimum.

Navigation Clinic ~ $88
This 4-hour clinic will teach you what you will need to know to safely negotiate open water crossings, especially those involving tidal currents. Taught half on shore and half on the water, we will first learn about a variety of compasses, how to use them, and how to calculate bearings from a chart.  Then we'll chart a course taking currents and wind into consideration and paddle it using our new found skills using ranging to track our progress.  Pre-req: Sea Kayaking Basics or equivalent, Next Stroke recommended.

Social Paddle and Skills Practice
This 3-hour refresher for paddlers in closed-deck single kayaks is a chance to connect with old friends on the water, meet new friends, and practice basic skills.   Wet exits, mid-water re-entry techniques, use of a paddle float, and assisted rescues can be reviewed depending on participant's needs, or just paddle around and have fun! Successful completion of SKB required. Saturday afternoons 3 - 6pm. $25 if you use our kayak and gear, $15 if you bring your own.

Private Sea Kayak Instruction ~ $60/Hour
Whether a beginner looking for highly personalized instruction, or an experienced paddler brushing up or planning an expedition, Blue Waters offers a flexible program designed to meet your specific need.   Prices may vary depending on numbers in party or location. Three hour minimum.

The Fine Print

All classes are subject to a minimum sign up for the class to start.  Conditions that may affect safety, such as extreme weather, may cancel the class.  Since weather is very hard to predict, we will advise you as soon as possible regarding the status of the class.  Feel free to contact Blue Waters if you have any concerns about prevailing conditions.  The status of the Surf Zone and away classes will be up to the discretion of the lead instructor the morning of the class.