The wild fjords, islands and inlets near Haines, AK offer a superb classroom to learn the art and science of sea kayaking. These waters include The Upper Lynn Canal and the Chilkat Inlet- renowned for their numerous uninhabited islands, pristine ecology, magnificent peaks, and marvelous wildlife viewing. The area has a rich history of gold seekers, adventures, explorers, and the Tlingit tribe.

Imagine paddling with the reflections of glaciated mountains on glassy water- honing skills and forging memories. You’ll have the opportunity to navigate with a chart and compass, develop your group management techniques in rough seas, and practice teaching kayak rescue techniques to your fellow students. You may be lucky enough to paddle placid waters amidst a pod of orcas or humpbacks, or spot a Coastal Brown Bear feeding in the inter-tidal zone. As an IWLS student you’ll play an active role in the curriculum of the course, step into a leadership role, and learn effective tools for teaching and leading in an outdoor environment.

This comprehensive Kayak course is the perfect setting to achieve your goals whether
you are looking to become a professional guide, hone your technical abilities for personal adventures, or
expand your leadership skills. It focuses on teaching students to be safe, efficient, knowledgeable and
confident outdoor leaders in the backcountry.

Haines: Haines, Alaska is the starting/finishing place for this trip. Haines is a small
community located along the fjords at the top of the Inside Passage. The natural beauty and wilderness
access found here are responsible for its reputation as a center for wilderness adventure in Alaska.

The Lynn Canal Fjord: The Lynn Canal is one of the longest and deepest fjords in N. America. It stretches 90 miles from its northern limit south to Juneau, AK. The venue for this course is adjacent to a UNESCO world heritage site- the largest protected wilderness on the planet. The Lynn canal features a great blend of protected seas and more exposed water that makes it ideal for progressing from basics to more advanced skills. The Lynn canal also features massive tidal range- 20+ ft. This provides opportunities to learn tidal dynamics and to learn the secrets of using the tides to your advantage while paddling. In addition to this, remote river deltas and pristine cobble beaches make for great classrooms, camping, and berry picking.

The Tongass National Forest: Our route will head south from Haines, AK into the Lynn Canal Fjord. The Fjord is largely hemmed in by the lands of the Tongass National Forest- which at 17 million acres is the largest in the US. The Tongass is a temperate rainforest- and one of the last intact examples of such an ecosystem on the planet. This forest features towering old growth trees, wolves, bears, blacktail deer, moose, huge runs of salmon, and many rare marine birds. The route of the course also parallels the dramatic Coast Ranges. The Coast Ranges are particularly dramatic- rising more than a mile above the Fjord and studded with waterfalls, glaciers, and snowfields. Camping in the Tongass provides a great opportunity to learn how to safely and ethically call the wilderness home. This course offers an opportunity to hike near the famous Davidson Glacier and its electric blue ice.

Our Instructors: IWLS instructors and guides are highly-trained professionals recognized as
some of the best in their field. They have a wealth of experience from guiding throughout Alaska, Canada,
and the world. They genuinely enjoy sharing their knowledge of the outdoors in the wild places that they
love. Their experiences and leadership help our students to have the best possible experience during their
course. Students' safety, education, and enjoyment are their primary goals. The International Wilderness
Leadership Schools’ educational model nurtures leadership development and creates an awareness of the
guiding mentality that is essential for leading safe, fun adventures in the mountains. The combination of
technical skills training, experiential education and practical leadership experience make the IWLS
curriculum world-class.

Experience Level: No previous experience is necessary for this course. However, with a
desire to learn and an enthusiasm for adventure, you’ll develop the skills necessary for a lifetime of
wilderness exploration.

Certifications: Upon completion of the course, participants may qualify for the following
certifications:

Sea Kayak Guide Training Certificate of Completion

Course Itinerary(Download Printable PDF)

Day 0: Meet in Haines for a pre-trip meeting and orientation. Students will be responsible
for lodging and meals on their own this day.

Days 1 - 3: Our first day on the water will include basic paddling stroke technique, an introduction to the wet exit and a short paddle to our first wilderness camp. Over the first few days, we’ll learn and practice paddle strokes, maneuvers, and rescues.

Days 4-8: Intensive technical skill instruction and development. Days will be spent in the field addressing points of the course curriculum. Students will plan the route and destinations in advance, with flexibility incorporated into the day-to-day route and itinerary. This will provide for many opportunities and teachable moments related to judgment and decision-making. We aim to spend 6-8 hours daily on skill development and traveling our route, with time spent on shore participating in lessons, problem solving activities, and discussions and debriefs.

Days 8-12: This portion of the course you will have the opportunity to test the skills gained and further develop your leadership abilities. You will analyze weather and tides, take the reigns as leader of the day, and work on advanced skills like kayak rolls. In the last few days of the course we will have final evaluations. Students will be evaluated, by their instructors, on their understanding and completion of the IWLS curriculum.

IWLS General Curriculum outlines the essential components for effective outdoor leadership.
Here are a few points that your course will focus on.

• Leadership: We not only exemplify leadership – we teach it and implement it.
  Students will have opportunities to lead the group through a variety of activities, objectives, and
  responsibilities.
• Safety and Risk Management: Safety is always our #1 consideration. As the course
  progresses, students will develop an awareness to appropriately assess risk and make safe decisions
  in and out of the field.
• Expedition Behavior and Group Dynamics: Because this course is a true wilderness
  expedition, interactions between group members need to be supportive and contribute to the efficacy
  of the group. The daily dynamics of the group, combined with guided instruction, will teach students
  not only how to be a member of a cohesive team, but how to influence and lead an expedition.
• Environmental Ethics: As adventurers in some of the most pristine environments on
  the planet, it is our duty to respect the natural world. All of our courses practice and teach Leave
  No Trace® principles.
• Communication Skills: Speaking in public, managing a personal conflict, or leading
  a group in the wilderness - all of these situations require effective communication. Students will
  gain confidence in their communication abilities while developing personal leadership styles during
  this course.

The IWLS Sea Kayak Curriculum is oriented to providing students with a solid skill set of paddling techniques to be safe and confident in a coastal environment. Here are a few of the topics students will learn on the course. :

• Paddling Techniques: Course instruction will help you discover ways improve the efficiency of your paddle strokes and perform advanced maneuvers from bow draws to the stern pry.
• Braces: Paddling in rough conditions requires solid bracing skills. We’ll learn and practice the low brace, high brace and sculling brace in a fun, controlled environment.
• Rescues: What happens when you’re paddling with clients in the frigid waters of Southeast Alaska and a boat capsizes? We’ll learn everything from the paddle-float rescue to the assisted bow rescue to kayak rolling.
• Route Finding and Navigation: Learn old school methods and state of the art techniques. You will learn to take a bearing, triangulate your position, and learn to interpret a marine chart.
• Camp Skills Learn about the tents we'll be utilizing, how to organize our kitchen
  and keep our food secure and appropriately protected from bears and other wildlife.

Course Documents:

• Course Overview- Printable detailed course overview & itinerary.
• Equipment List - Overview of personal clothing and equipment that you'll need for this course.
• Rental Gear List - List of backpacking gear, and personal items available for rent
• Registration Form - Outlines policies, and essential information. One required per participant.
• Health Form - This form enables our guides to have accurate health information in the event of an emergency.
• Water Based Activity Waiver - One required per participant. Guests under the age of 18 may go on one form.
• Travel Info - Helpful information on how to get to/from Haines, Alaska.

What is included in the course price:

• Camping gear - group camping equipment, tents, stoves, etc...
• Expedition food - all food while out in the field.
• Transportation during trip - travel to the trailhead, and back to Haines after.
• Professional guides - Our guides have extensive knowledge of the area and a passion for backpacking in wild places.

 
Students are responsible for the following:

• • Personal clothing & equipment
  • Food and Lodging in town - We can happily recommend lodging around Haines!
  • Travel insurance - we highly recommend travel insurance for all of our programs.
  • Airfare
  • Reviewing course policies - please reference our policies page for policies regarding payment, cancellations, refunds and student responsibilities
  • Gratuities

   

To Book your adventure, follow the steps below:

• Please call to confirm availability at 1-800-766-3396 or fill outan online form to request more information: Request More Info
• Place a deposit of $500 or 25% of trip cost (whichever is less) to reserve your spot: this can be place over the phone by credit card, check in the mail, or through our payment gateway.
• Once you've reserved your spot, you'll receive a welcome packet with all the necessary registration forms and trip information.
• Be sure to submit all trip registration documents at least 45 days prior to your course. This includes information on your arrival/departure, lodging, dietary, and medical information.

Feel free to call or email anytime if you have questions about your upcoming trip. Our team is excited to help you prepare for your adventure!