Marine Navigation
Covid-19 Update:
Paddling is a naturally distanced activity. We’ll maintain a 6′ distance on shore and on-water. All gear is always cleaned. Instructors are vaccinated.
Marine Navigation
Marine Navigation will teach you how to use a marine chart and simple found tools to plot a course for planning your next paddling trip.
Learn to read a marine chart, take bearings, use navigational vectoring and use a VHF radio to assist in your expedition planning.
Covid-19: Due to being in a class environment, must show Proof of Vaccination or rapid negative test.
Your Instructor – Scott Dahlquist
Scott is comfortable on both kayak and SUP and has the L4 kayak certification with ACA. A recent transplant from San Diego, Scott loves to teach navigation, kayak rolling, sea kayak surfing and exploring Puget Sound. He also teaches skiing, snow snowshoeing and mountain biking with a local outfitter. Scott is also on the Dagger Kayaks pro team.
Core Skills You’ll Gain
- How to read nautical chart NOAA chart 1 – Chart of the San Juan Islands
- Learn how to plot your course by shooting a bearing
- Find how to use navigational vectoring
- Shoot a bearing to plot Heading or Ferry Angle
- Calculate speed made good
- How to use basic found tools for use in marine navigation
- Which apps to use for marine navigation
- How to print and laminate your own charts
- How to use a VHF radio for personal and emergency communication plus marine weather
Recommended Resources for Class
- Captain Jack’s Tide Almanac (update yearly) – book
- Tidal Currents of Puget Sound – book (Starpath.com)
Student Benefits
- Instructor Follow-up After Class – We’ll send you a summary of skills you learned in your lesson as well as our favorite marine weather and tides apps.
- You’ll receive access to our 24 video SUP 101 Online Course to review skills learned and class and many more techniques! Get paddle trip check-lists and planning tips.
- You’ll able to join our Facebook Alumni Group to continue learning and for connecting with other paddlers.
- SBP owner Rob Casey is always available to help you find paddling gear, find places to paddle and help you get to your next level.
- Get a 20% discount from Mountaineers Books for any title. Or get Rob’s books: ‘Kayaking Puget Sound‘ and ‘Stand Up Paddling Flat Water to Surf and Rivers.
- Receive a Salmon Bay Paddle sticker!
CLASS DETAILS:
Public Group Class Schedule:
This is a land based lecture format class, no paddling involved.
Duration: 3.5 hours
Deception Pass State Park – November 14th, 10am start (3.5hr class) – 8 spaces left!
Tacoma – TBA.
Who Should Take This Class? Kayakers, rowers and paddle boarders and/or other watercraft folks! Any skill level. Great for Seventy48 training.
Capacity: 8 people
Requirements: Must speak and/or understand English
RATES:
189 per person
“Today was awesome. I stepped way out of my comfort zone. That’s what took me so long to decide if I was driving or paddling. Once again, I thank the skills and confidence Robert gave me. I still don’t feel I could easily self rescue but where we paddled today I felt that even if I went in, I’d be okay.
6 months ago that wouldn’t have been the case. And I really appreciate your tip on my bent arms. It felt awkward to me, but I definitely felt the difference in power. I will use that next weekend when we paddle our 26 miles of Lake Cushman, so thank you!”
“Salmon Bay Paddle is a great place to take kayak class. I learned from Robert in a private class
He helped me to advance a lot, especially in recovery techniques, strokers and many other things
He is a very devoted coach giving very helpful individualized instructions. Also he helped me a lot with selecting gear
I highly recommend Salmon Bay Paddle”
“I had a bit of time in Seattle and signed up for this class having never done a class before. I was able to set my own time with Rob, the owner. In short, Rob is an excellent teacher. He was extraordinarily thorough and responsible about going over all the basics about skills and safety before we ever got out on the water.”
I conquered several fears paddling in currents and surfing waves and owe it to Rob, where safety and professional instructions are Salmon Bay Paddle’s top priorities!
I’ve been paddling on flat water for about a year and thought I was pretty good. Then Rob patiently explained how to make my paddling more efficient, how to deal with swells and choppy water and how to be more comfortable and safe on the board. In one hour, I became a much better paddler. If SUP is new to you or if you’ve been at it for a while, Rob will help you have more fun on a paddle board.
“I wanted to pull two visiting teenage girls out of their comfort zone of shopping, make-up and Netflix. Having personally taken lessons with Rob a couple years ago, I contacted him to see if we could arrange something. Instructor Joe McColskey, a former high school teacher and personal trainer was up to the challenge. The girls really enjoyed their SUP Basics session.”
“Rob is a fantastic stand up paddle board instructor. His knowledge of the sport and the local waters is remarkable. I’ve been out for a couple of lessons with him now and I’ve learned a lot and become a better paddler each time. I especially appreciate his commitment to safety and doing things the right way. He’s also just a good dude and I highly recommend him to anyone interested in SUP.”