CLASS ROOM OBSERVERS
The 2019 teaching season for SSKS is now underway, with scheduled classes available on the Calendar. Of course, custom scheduling, as well as content, can be arranged. Don’t forget that unique service available from SSKS!
A frequent question is “why do you teach ‘sea kayaking’ on a lake instead of on the bay?” Since SSKS specializes in beginner and intermediate skills development, Lake Whatcom has a number of advantages. First, the lake doesn’t have currents that make kayaking more difficult for beginners. There’s also the fact that the lake water gets considerably warmer than Bellingham Bay, which makes wet exit and rescue sessions more comfortable. The area of the lake where most sessions are held is generally sheltered from the wind and less subject to rough water, conditions that increase stress and make learning those all-important basics harder. As well, our teaching area has MUCH less motorboat traffic in the immediate vicinity.
For the multi-session Essentials of Sea Kayaking course, students are offered the option, after the first class, to take the remainder of the sessions on salt water (subject to favorable tide and current conditions). More advanced classes and Fun Paddles generally are done at various salt water locations.