Washington Water Trails Trip Leader Class

We have enjoyed seeing members and others on our paddles the last few years. While we are not a club, we like highlighting various sites around the state. It is great to build community in various areas through Paddles and Picnics and Work Parties.

This class is appropriate for different sorts of leadership venues and segways into leading paddling trips.

When the weather is warmer we will offer an onwater segment.

Here is a basic outline:

5:00 Set-up, meet and greet with pizza

5:30 pm Learning and Leadership Styles taught primarily by Andree

- We will send out two fun self-assessment exercises in advance which we will then explore during the first hour, followed by an interactive portion.

Planning & Preparation taught primarily by Robert

We'll cover the core leadership and paddling skills you need (should have), additions, changes, and/or upgrades to your kit, and cover some realistic scenarios you could experience.
Whether you are a new or seasoned trip leader, looking to start leading trips, or a paddler who simply prefers to be prepared, you;ll find something of value from our discussion.

On-water session: Incident management (Prerequisite is previous class or special permission)

• Unprepared paddler (gear)/late paddler
• The wandering paddler
• Sea sick paddler
• Multiple capsizes

Note - this class will be followed by a chart reading and navigation class in the next two months as part of a series.

Andree is a former Level Four Sea Kayak Instructor Trainer Educator with the American Canoe Association. She also taught and led sea kayaking for twenty years in places such as Washington, Mexico, Canada, Florida, New Zealand and Hong Kong.

Robert Nissenbaum is an ACA L3 Coastal Sea Kayak and Greenland Paddling instructor, L3 Coastal endorsed trip leader, as well as an Advanced Communications Endorsed and rolling instructor. He also carries the BC Coastal Kayak Award.
Robert is currently the WA State Director for the ACA as well as a member of the Regional Activity Council and the Coastal Kayak Committee.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Avenue North, Seattle, United States