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CLASSES BEGINNING SOON & WHY TEACH ON THE LAKE?

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CLASS ROOM OBSERVERS

The 2025 teaching season for SSKS is about to be 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.  More advanced classes and Fun Paddles generally are done at various salt water locations.

KAYAK LESSON GIFT CERTIFICATES

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Any time of the year is good for giving presents, and sea kayaking lessons make great gifts. Even though it’s blustery, chilly, and rainy right now, we can be as certain as possible that warmer weather will return. How about giving a family member or friend the opportunity to learn how to enjoy sea kayaking, or to improve on their existing skills? A Salish Sea Kayak School Gift Certificate is a popular gift and can be used throughout the coming year. Simply go to Our Classes, and you’ll see the link to the Gift Certificate form on the right side of the page. Fill out the information requested, including the amount of your gift, then go to Cart. Please manually add in 8.7% sales tax. That’s all there is to it! Happy Giving, everyone!

2025 APRIL THROUGH JULY CLASSES POSTED

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The weather is returning to more hospitable conditions, so it’s time to be thinking about our Pacific NW kayaking again. So, the calendar of classes, for the first portion of the 2025 season, is now up. Of course, SSKS continues to offer classes outside the dates and times published, because I understand you may have scheduling around other parts of your life to consider. I also am happy to discuss with you custom content for your instruction; just get in touch! Both Private and Group lessons may be customized. In particular, there’s lots of availability during the week, including day and evening times. I look forward to working with you to share the enjoyment of sea kayaking! Happy Paddling!

Buying a Sea Kayak – Pros & Cons of Plastic Boats

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buying a sea kayak

Plastic Sea Kayak Storage

Buying a sea kayak can seem like a complicated process.  We often are asked about the differences in the materials used to build sea kayaks, and many people are drawn to plastic boats because of their comparatively low price and reputation for not needing much care. While the first consideration is true, a “put away and forget” attitude toward a plastic kayak may result in future unhappiness!

So, let’s talk briefly about what a “plastic” kayak is. They’re made of polyethylene plastic, heat molded by various processes so that the hull and deck form a single unit that only requires cutting out the hatch and cockpit openings and attaching the outfitting (seat, deck and carry lines, bungee cords, etc.). By contrast, composite boats made of fiberglass and other materials, have the deck and hull made separately, then joined together. The composite materials are more expensive and require much more labor to construct. Consequently, the resulting boats are more expensive.

The advantages of plastic kayaks are durability, particularly if dropped on a hard surface or from impact while paddling; and as mentioned before, this construction results in the lowest prices for both brand new and used boats. There are limits to the “no care” concept, however, as you’ll see below.

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