About Salmon Bay Paddle
About Salmon Bay Paddle
Salmon Bay Paddle is the leading provider of personalized private one on one and small group stand up paddle board (SUP), kayak and surf ski lessons in the Pacific Northwest.
Owner Rob Casey is the author of two paddling books and is considered a pioneer of stand up paddling by Stand Up Journal Magazine.
Rob guarantees that he and his certified coaches will not only meet but surpass your goals whether you’re a beginner or advanced paddler.
Rob and his ACA and PSUPA certified coaches will help you reach your paddling goals regardless of your experience, age, body type or fitness level.
Salmon Bay Paddle is a mobile business with no shop. We meed students at the beach or in the classroom. We’re open all year.
Learn About Salmon Bay Paddle and Founder, Rob Casey
Started with Kayaking..
I began kayaking in 2000 hoping to tour the WA coast. A surf kayaking lesson got me hooked on surfing. I later learned whitewater kayaking and began guiding for Seattle Raft and Kayak in 2005.
Non-athletic, dyslexic and lacking good instruction, like many, I struggled to stand on a SUP the first time in 2007 on vacation in Hawaii.
Not willing to give up, I continued to work on it at home in Seattle. Applying skills learned from over a decade of sea, surf and whitewater kayaking, I discovered easy and effective methods for standing up and paddling with confidence.
Author of Two Paddling Guides..
In 2011, I wrote “Stand Up Paddling Flat Water to Surf and Rivers” for Mountaineers Books. This guidebook was intended to help new and experienced paddlers learn all aspects of SUP from the basics to open water touring.
In 2012, I revised the 3rd edition of the NW classic paddling guide, “Kayaking Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, 60 Trips.” In 2023 we’re updating the book adding 20 more trips to places like Vancouver BC, Howe Sound and pushing outwards to Neah Bay. “The new title will be Paddling the Salish Sea and Beyond.”
In 2013, I co-founded and am the former director for PSUPA (Professional Stand Up Paddle Association) which trains and certifies SUP instructors worldwide.
I have contributed paddling articles for SUP Magazine, Stand Up Journal, Canoe Kayak, the Inertia and Kenmore Air’s inflight magazine.
For several years, I’ve been a member of the WA State Parks Paddle Sports Advisory Group (PAC) which works to educate the pubic on safe paddling and boating practices.
A Passion for Paddling and Helping Others..
I started Salmon Bay Paddle in 2010 to provide personable individual and small group SUP instruction in the Pacific Northwest.
I’ve transformed lives by empowering and giving confidence to many who didn’t think they’d stand or enjoy being on the water. And I only hire coaches who love paddling and like myself, love to share their passion for paddling with others.
Paddle boarding benefits are many, students have lost weight, increased their self-esteem, and have paddled in places and conditions they’d never imagined they’d be capable of. SUP has changed my life, so I love to share my knowledge and skills with students to help them become confident and skilled paddlers.
My blog is a great resource for paddling tips on techniques, gear reviews, surf tips and safety.
In 2019, I picked up a surf ski and am getting back to my kayaking roots by catching more waves and going a lot faster than ever on Puget Sound!
– Rob Casey