The earth is 3/4 water, don’t limit yourself to 1/4 of the fun! We offer a variety of classes and clinics for beginners and veteran paddlers. Small class sizes with an expert instructor help you learn faster!
Our classes are designed to maximize your learning potential and minimize your time and money output. On average we offer the smallest class sizes around to make sure you get the most one-on-one instruction possible. Your kayaking questions get answered by professional instructors who take the time to listen to your needs.
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Debit, personal checks and offer payment plans. Please call or email for our convenient dates and times.
Instructors
We have the most qualified, most experienced and most awesome instructors in the region:
Deb Volturno – has been a respected sea kayaking instructor for more than 20 years and an accomplished sea kayaker for nearly 3 decades. She holds the highest level of instructor certification in sea kayaking by the American Canoe Association (Level 5 Instructor Trainer Educator), and is the only ACA Instructor Trainer in Surf Kayaking in the Pacific NW. Beyond the certifications Deb’s passion for sea kayaking is contagious as she shares her expertise with students of all levels from beginner to certifying instructors. She says, “My goal in teaching kayaking is to increase the number of paddling buddies I can go play with on the water!” She has been a member of the US Surf Kayak Team, and is the only woman with an officer ranking in the Tsunami Rangers, an elite group of extreme kayakers. Deb particularly enjoys exploring exposed coastal waters anywhere in the world, when she is not teaching high school science and math in Port Angeles.
Classes
Private Coaching
Olympic Raft & Kayak believes that excellent coaching is the key to the foundation of paddling. Our instructors will work with each individual to achieve their goals in the paddling world, from basic paddling skills to rescues and learning to roll or confidence building, we will coach you through the steps to become a successful paddler.
3 hour minimum—These private sessions can be customized to the students’ abilities and needs.
1-ON-1 session: $60.00 per hour, 3-hour minimum
1-ON-2 session: $45.00 per hour per person, 3-hour minimum
If you would like to customize your learning please call us to inquire. (clinics that involve more extensive travel and logistics may incur additional costs)
Private Rolling 90 minutes
FEE: $75.00 (90 minutes)
Dates: Call us at the office to find out about upcoming dates or to set up a private session.
(360) 452-1443
Prerequisites: Comfortable with water, some very basic kayak skills.
Rolling your kayak is part of the foundation for the skills you need to be a successful paddler. Once you have a successful roll, your skills and confidence tend to increase. Our instructors will take you through the basic steps for you to gain confidence under water and the skills to roll back up! Learn to roll so you can enjoy paddling even more! <–Click for video
Beginner Classes
1.1 Intro to Sea Kayaking (3 hours)
The main focus for this class is rescues. Beginner paddlers tend to forget that this is one of the most important aspects of paddling. Students will get comfortable with wet exits, self-rescues, and assisted rescues. When your paddling buddy goes in the drink, knowing how to successfully rescue them will add a level of comfort and confidence.
1.2 Intro to Sea Kayaking (3 hours)
Did you know that your entire body is engaged while paddling a kayak? It takes approximately 3,000 strokes to go one mile, learning the proper technique for a more efficient stroke will allow students to travel further distances without feeling exhausted. This class will focus on the forward stroke.
1.3 Intro to Sea Kayaking (3 hours)
Now that you have the basics to go paddling, it is time to take it to the next level. Being able to maneuver your kayak will allow you to more easily enjoy your time on the water. The focus for this class will be bracing and maneuvering strokes.
Intermediate Sea Kayaking
Instructor: Deb Volturno (ACA Instructor Trainer Educator Advanced Open Water)
A follow-up class to the Intro to Sea Kayaking class & beyond. Review your kayaking skills and begin developing new ones as we practice and polish paddle strokes, learn the powerful applications of edging techniques, and delve into the process of decision-making and problem solving on the water. We’ll also cover eskimo rolling, navigation, towing, tides and currents chart reading and more. This course is designed to enhance your paddling skills, in addition to developing the mental skills and judgement for safer kayaking. 16 hours total instruction Fee: $195 + $15 rental of kayak/gear and $5 rental of wetsuit/booties each class if needed.
Next Class: TBA
Introduction to the Surf Zone
Instructors: Deb Volturno (ACA Instructor Trainer Educator Level 5) and TBA
The surf zone is the best training ground for learning kayak handling skills, plus if you ever have to negotiate through a surf zone for a paddling adventure this training is essential. This is also the first class to take if you eventually want to learn to surf in your kayak. We will spend some beach time discussing wave dynamics and safety before we begin practicing on the water. The focus of the class will be on reading the water, landing and launching safely in a surf zone, bracing skills and edging. (Please note that any Intro to Surf Zone class held on the coast at Hobuck is still a beginning surf zone class and is scheduled there because waves on the Strait are not reliable this time of year.) Prerequisite: beginning kayak class and comfortable doing a wet exit. Required for the class: wetsuit or drysuit and a helmet. If you are using your own kayak it MUST have RELIABLE flotation. Both closed cockpit and sit-on-top sea kayaks are welcome. TWO INSTRUCTORS FOR SIX STUDENTS MAX.
Next Class: TBA
Introduction to Kayak Surfing
Instructors: Deb Volturno (ACA Instructor Trainer Educator Level 5 ) and TBA
This class is designed for those interested in learning to surf their kayak in the waves. We will spend time on the beach discussing wave dynamics, safety, and surf etiquette, before getting on the waves to practice bracing, ruddering, edging, and beginning surf maneuvers. This class open to all types of kayaks, but the more maneuverable whitewater and surf kayaks are encouraged. (*Please note that any Intro to Surf Kayak Class held on the coast at Hobuck Beach is still a beginning surf class and is scheduled there because waves on the Strait are not reliable this time of year.) TWO INSTRUCTORS FOR SIX STUDENTS MAX.
Prerequisite: beginning kayak class and comfortable doing a wet exit. An Intro to Surf Zone class is preferred. Required for the class: wetsuit or drysuit and a helmet. If you are using your own kayak it MUST have RELIABLE flotation.
Next Class: TBA
Kayak Surfing Classes
(ACA Level 2 and 3 inclusive)
Instructors: Deb Volturno (ACA Instructor Trainer Educator Level 5) Jameson Riser, Hamp All (both ACA Surf Kayak Instructor Level 3
This clinic is aimed at the intermediate or above paddler who has their own surf boat and who is interested in developing and practicing a robust set surf kayaking skills. We will cover safety and rescue skills, strokes, reading the waves, kayak surfing skills and techniques, as well as learning specific maneuvers like bottom turns, top turns, and spins. ACA certified surf kayak instructors will share their expertise of some 40+ years of collective surf kayaking experience. A roll is helpful for those in closed deck kayaks. The objective is to build skills and have fun playing in the waves in high performance surf kayaks. Equipment requirements: Cold water paddling gear – drysuit or wetsuit, PFD, helmet, paddle Boat requirement: Surf specific kayak (Sit-on-top or closed deck) THREE INSTRUCTORS FOR SIX STUDENTS MAX.
Next Class: TBA
Rock Gardening 1 & 2
Instructors: Deb Volturno (ACA Instructor Trainer Educator Level 5) and TBA
Rock gardens are some of the most beautiful and dynamic environments to paddle. This class is for those drawn to get in close to the rocks to explore and to play. Learn about safety in rock gardens, how to read the water, and learn how to recognize hazards, play spots and transition areas. We will work on kayak handling skills and strokes to maneuver your kayak, in addition to using the movement of the water to get around. The goal is to “dance” in our kayaks, and avoid contact with the rocks!
The two rock garden classes scheduled are intended to be at different locations and although the skills we will be working on will be much the same, the experience will not be redundant. No day (or minute!) is the same in a rock garden! The intention is to build skills over the 2 classes. The 2 classes are not mutually exclusive, so feel free to take either or both!
Prerequisite: beginning kayak class and comfortable doing a wet exit. Required for the class: wetsuit or drysuit, a helmet, gloves. If you are using your own kayak it MUST have RELIABLE flotation. Both closed cockpit and sit-on-top sea kayaks are welcome. TWO INSTRUCTORS FOR SIX STUDENTS MAX.
Next Class: TBA
Next Class: TBA