Ocean kayaking is an ideal sport for the Santa Barbara area. The south facing beaches offer nice protection from the major ocean swells often found along the coast. The kelp beds are rich in marine life and secluded beaches are abundant.
While touring, one usually sees a wide variety of sea life and birds. Curious seals and sea lions pop up their heads to spy on the slender boats as they glide quietly through the water. Dolphins and whales have occasionally been spotted during our outings.
Our series of kayak classes offer you an enjoyable way to learn the sport. Our staff-to-student ratio allows for personal attention and effective instruction.
The kayak day tours and extended tours are a great way to practice your skills, meet other paddlers and explore the beautiful marine environment.
The class fee covers instruction and equipment. Be sure to pick up a kayak information sheet when you register.
OCEAN KAYAKING I – Introduction to Kayaking
If you want to learn how to kayak, this is the class for you! We start with the basics in protected waters to help you develop efficient and effective skills for later adventures. We use closed cockpit kayaks with designs similar to those used for coastal day tours as well as month-long explorations of remote coasts.
Evening sessions are designed to introduce you to basic kayaking principles and equipment and allow you to practice some fun wet work in the pool. We spend the day portion of the class in protected waters practicing paddle strokes, kayak stability techniques, and capsize recoveries. The location allows a more natural and scenic, yet less hazardous, environment.
On completion of the class you should be able to begin touring in protected waters and have a solid foundation with which to enjoy this exciting sport.
This basic class is a prerequisite for other classes in our kayak program, including surf zone classes, roll classes, day trips, and extended tours.
The class fee includes instruction and kayaking equipment. Wet suits are required; rental information is available when you sign up for class.
OCEAN KAYAKING II – Beyond the Basics
Prerequisite: Ocean Kayaking I or equivalent; ability to swim.
The purpose of this class is to focus on the skills that will move you from protected waters into open-water paddling. This class picks up where Kayaking I ends. You will learn to move your closed-cockpit kayak more fluidly through the water, to become "one with your kayak". On the first day, we will review basic kayaking skills, emphasizing how to apply the basic principles to a broader range of conditions. We will discuss ocean dynamics, how to use those dynamics to your advantage, and then we will launch into the ocean to put the theory to practice, conditions permitting. On the second day, conditions permitting, we will launch into the ocean for skills refinement and more advanced techniques, including capsize recoveries, in the open water environment. The second day will also include a short paddle along the coast to apply all of the skills and knowledge gained in this class. At the end of this class you should be able to identify the appropriate conditions for your level of skill and be better prepared to enjoy the many paddling opportunities along our coast. The class fee includes instruction and kayaking equipment. Wet suits are required; rental information is available when you sign-up for class.
KAYAK SIT ON TOP
Have you seen paddlers working their way down our coast and ever wondered how you could get out there with the seal lions and dolphins? Well, now is your chance. With our sit-on-top kayaks the only skill needed is an ability to swim and a desire to get on the ocean. We will meet at UCSB Campus Point, organize our gear, have a short discussion, then get on the water. We plan to spend most of our 4 hours learning the basics as we tour our lush ocean coast.
KAYAK ROLLING
Prerequisite: Ocean Kayaking I or equivalent; ability to swim.
Rolling a kayak is a valuable skill essential for river kayaking and handy for ocean kayaking. After two evening sessions of instruction and practice in the pool you will be well on your way to mastering this fun and useful aspect of kayaking.
A good brace is necessary for kayaking. Part of the rolling class will be spent learning and practicing your bracing skills.
Remember, part of this class will be spent underwater (upside down) so a wetsuit is required. Rental information is available when you sign up for class. We recommend that you bring a dive mask or goggles to make the learning experience easier.
The class fee includes instruction and kayaking equipment.
KAYAK SURFING & PLAYING
Prerequisite: Ocean Kayaking I or equivalent; ability to swim
Getting through and feeling comfortable in the surf zone are important parts of ocean kayaking. Timing and a good brace are essential in the surf. Not only do we learn these skills but we have a blast doing it. Learn techniques for launching and landing in the surf as well as how to keep your stability while surf kayaking.
Our beach talk will cover wave formation, reflecting and refracting waves and surf zone safety precautions. This 4-hour class will give you the opportunity to practice your maneuvering skills. If you have avoided the surf zone or need to sharpen your surf skills, then this class will greatly benefit you.
The class fee includes instruction and kayaking equipment. Taking the roll class before the surf zone class gives you more options in the surf; however, it is not a prerequisite. Wet suits are required and rental information is available when you sign up for class.
PRIVATE KAYAKING INSTRUCTION
by reservation only
Can't fit one of our kayaking classes into your schedule? Has it been a while since you sat in a kayak and you're ready for a refresher at your own pace? Ready to move beyond the kayaking skills taught in our regularly scheduled classes? Have a specific trip or paddling skill you would like to focus on? These are some of the reasons people choose private kayaking instruction with us. This is an opportunity to significantly improve your current techniques and to add a whole new set of skills to your kayaking "bag-of-tricks". Depending on your interests, class topics can include advanced recoveries, extended paddle skills, surf zone skills, advanced and/or refresher rolling skills, techniques for dealing with wind and current, coastal piloting and navigation, expedition kayaking, basic leadership/group management and much more!
Typically instruction will include a night session in our campus pool focusing on skill improvement, followed by a day on the local coastal waters. We will adjust to your availability and interests in order to meet your specific needs. Call us if you're ready to take the next step in a lifetime of learning from the cockpit of a kayak!
The fee includes instruction and kayaking equipment. Wetsuits are required; rental information is available when you sign-up for instruction.
KAYAK OVERNIGHTER
Prerequisite: Ocean Kayaking I or equivalent; ability to swim
If you ever wanted to try an overnight kayak experience, this is your golden opportunity. We have planned this trip for those who want to learn how to do an overnight kayak trip. The distances are reasonable and the scenery is lovely and secluded.
We will meet at Campus Point on Saturday and then drive to Gaviota to begin our tour. After packing our kayaks, we will launch and enjoy the trip along the coast with a nice lunch stop along the way. Our campsite will be in one of the state park campgrounds along the way, Sunday we will continue along the coast with our final destination being Campus Point at UCSB.
Fee includes kayaking equipment, transportation, breakfast and dinner, group cooking equipment, camping fees and trip guides. You must supply your own lunches and personal equipment.