Membership Resources
Welcome to NWOC Memberships!
This page is your home base for Skills Nights, Member Paddles, and other membership updates. We’ll continue adding resources here as the program grows.
How to Participate
-
Skills Nights and Social Paddles are open to Lake and Tide Level members
-
Session details and updates are shared by email and posted here
-
​Kayaks and required safety gear included. This may include dry suits or paddle jackets when conditions or session content call for it, such as rescue practice.
-
All sessions are weather-dependent and may be adjusted for safety
If you are unsure whether a session is a good fit, email us and we are happy to help.
RSVP Required
Skills Nights and Member Paddles are intentionally capped to keep groups manageable. RSVPs open four weeks before each session. Please email or call the shop to RSVP. We’ll confirm by reply.
Planned sessions are weather dependent, we'll contact you if a session needs to be cancelled or rescheduled.
Upcoming Skills Nights
Designed for paddlers who want to practice and refine skills while spending real time on the water. Skills Nights are meant to feel practical, supportive, and low-pressure.
Wednesday, June 17 — Skills Night: Rescues
6:30–8:30pm
Wednesday, July 8 — Skills Night: Bracing
6:30–8:30pm
Wednesday, August 19 — Skills Night: Forward Stroke & Efficiency
6:00–8:00pm
​
Wednesday, September 2 — Skills Night: Edging & Boat Control
6:00–8:00pm
​
Saturday, October 17 — Skills Night: Wind and Conditions
10am-12pm
​
2027 Dates (more coming later)
​​
Saturday, April 10 — Skills Night: Forward Stroke & Efficiency
10am-12pm
​
Saturday, April 24 — Skills Night: Edging & Boat Control
10am-12pm
Upcoming Member Paddles
​
Wednesday, July 29 — Member Paddle: Evening Lake Loop
6:30–8:30pm
Wednesday, September 23 — Member Paddle: Near Full Moon Paddle
6:00–8:00pm
​
Saturday, October 3 — Member Paddle: Morning Paddle
10:00am–12:00pm
​
2027 Dates (more coming later)
​
Saturday, March 27 — Member Paddle: Season Opener
10am-12pm​
​
Skills Nights Themes
Core themes rotate throughout the season and may be offered more than once.
Forward Stroke and Efficiency
​The forward stroke is the foundation of everything you do in a kayak. The more economical your motion, the better your paddling becomes. In this session we focus on rotation, blade angle, and using your torso instead of your arms. When you understand the basic building blocks of a proper stroke, the boat moves more smoothly and with less effort.
Speed, Cadence and Acceleration
​There are times when you need more than a casual cruising pace. Learning to increase speed without losing control requires good connection and timing. We’ll work on short bursts, clean acceleration, and how to keep the boat stable while changing pace. Power comes from rotation and leg drive, not from pulling harder with your arms.
Edging and Boat Control
Tilting and edging are essential parts of kayak technique. Lean the boat, not your body. With proper contact at your feet, knees, and seat, the kayak becomes more responsive and predictable. We practice controlling direction while staying balanced and relaxed. Turning well is less about force and more about understanding how the hull works in the water.
Dynamic Bracing and Stability
​Every stroke is a potential brace. By adjusting blade angle and extension, propulsion becomes support. We’ll practice low and high braces in motion, building comfort when the boat feels unsettled. Confidence on the water comes from knowing how to recover calmly before a small wobble becomes a capsize.
Rescues and Towing
Rescue skills must be practiced under controlled conditions so they are instinctive when needed. We review assisted and self-rescue techniques, communication, and maintaining composure. We also introduce basic towing for situations where someone needs support. The time to learn these skills is not when you are already in trouble.
Wind and Conditions
Wind and kayaking go hand in hand. Wind affects control, speed, and balance. We explore how wind interacts with current and hull design, and how to adjust edging, bracing, and stroke choice accordingly. Practicing in moderate conditions builds awareness and judgment that flat water alone cannot provide.
Stay Connected
We share upcoming sessions and important updates through:
-
Email
-
This Member Resources page
Please make sure your email on file is current so you do not miss updates.