Skills Memberships
A small paddle club for paddlers building skills, consistency and confidence
Paddle More. Learn More. Belong Here.
Paddle more often, keep improving, and stay connected to a group that enjoys being on the water. NWOC Skills Memberships combine coached practice, relaxed Member Paddles, and optional saltwater destination days across the 2027 season.
If you are comfortable paddling on Lake Union, the regular Skills Sessions and Member Paddles are a good next step. You do not need to be an expert. Progress comes from regular time on the water. Skills Memberships make that easier with instructor-led Skills Sessions and included Member Paddles scheduled throughout the season.
Sessions are practical, supportive, and focused on helping paddlers build confidence through repetition and consistent paddling time.
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The three optional Saltwater Destination Paddles extend the program beyond Lake Union. They are member-only, cost $99 each, and require prior skills or approved equivalent experience.
Sea Kayaking Without the Logisitics
Owning a sea kayak is great, but it isn't practical for everyone. Storage, transportation, equipment, and finding paddling partners can all get in the way.
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Skills Memberships are designed to make regular paddling easier. Kayaks and required safety gear are included for member events, Tide members have full Lake Union rental access, and members can also join select saltwater destination paddles throughout the season.
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You bring the interest. We make the logistics easier.
Membership Levels
Lake Level
$399/year
For paddlers who want coached practice, a consistent group, and structured reasons to get back on the water while continuing to rent on their own schedule.
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Skills Sessions scheduled throughout the season, included
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Member Paddles scheduled throughout the season, included
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Kayak and required safety gear for scheduled membership events
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Access to register for three $99 Saltwater Destination Paddles
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15% off kayak rentals
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10% off retail accessories
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​View the full 2026 Skills Sessions & Member Paddles schedule on the member resources page​
Tide Level
$699/year
For paddlers who want the full Skills Membership calendar plus easy, frequent access to kayaks and SUPs on Lake Union.
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Everything included in Lake Level
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Lake Union kayak and SUP rentals throughout the full season, including July and August weekends
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Includes two and three person kayaks
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Rentals remain weather dependent and subject to shop availability
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Access to register for three $99 Saltwater Destination Paddles
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​View the full 2026 Skills Sessions & Member Paddles schedule on the member resources page
Both Lake Level and Tide Level include:
Skills Sessions
Member Paddles
10% off retail accessories in the shop
Join anytime — you'll receive a full year of access beginning with the next scheduled session.
Sessions are currently open and available to all members. We'll communicate any changes to capacity in advance.
Skills Sessions
Skills Sessions are coached lake paddles built around useful, repeatable techniques. They are not classroom-style courses. Expect paddling with focused practice stops, individual feedback, and time to apply the skill on the water.
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Topics include forward stroke and edging, boat control, bracing, and rescues.
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Themes repeat so members can revisit a skill and build on it over time.
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Instruction is adapted to whoever is in the group that day.
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Sessions run on a mix of weekday evenings and weekend mornings from March through October.
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RSVP required. Capacity is capped at 10 members.
Member Paddles
Member Paddles are relaxed, staff-led outings on Lake Union. They provide a steady reason to get out, meet other members, and keep paddling between coached sessions. These are group paddles all about getting on the water, not formal instruction.
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Open to Lake and Tide members
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Kayak and required safety gear included
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RSVP required
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Capacity capped at 12 members
Saltwater Destination Paddles
Three member-only day trips bring the season onto salt water:
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Chuckanut Bay on May 23
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Deception Pass on August 1
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Burrows Island on September 19
Each trip costs $99, runs with 6 to 10 participants, and is led by two instructors. Registration opens to Lake and Tide members eight weeks before each trip.
To participate, members must have completed NWOC's Fundamentals of Sea Kayaking within the three years before the trip; or have covered sweep strokes, forward stroke, edging, bracing, and rescues with NWOC through Skills Sessions or the Basic Strokes class; or have equivalent experience approved by NWOC.
Meeting the prerequisite is necessary but does not guarantee a seat. Instructor discretion still applies.​​
How this fits with classes
​Classes provide the foundation. Skills Memberships provide the repetition. Basic Strokes, Basic Rescue, and Fundamentals of Sea Kayaking are clear on-ramps into the membership, while Skills Sessions and Member Paddles help paddlers keep those skills active throughout the year.
​​Not sure if a Skills Membership is the right fit?
You don't need to feel confident yet — you just need to be comfortable paddling on Lake Union. Skills Sessions are designed for paddlers who want more practice, not for people who already have everything figured out.
Many members join after taking Fundamentals of Sea Kayaking, but it isn't required. If you're comfortable paddling on Lake Union and want to keep improving, you're ready.
You don't need to attend every session to get value. Even a few Skills Sessions and Member Paddles over the season add up. Consistent time on the water with coached feedback moves your paddling forward faster than occasional solo outings.
​​When are Skills Session and Member Paddle dates announced?
The full season schedule is posted here on the member resource page. RSVPs open four weeks before each session — email or call the shop to reserve your spot.
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Our goal is to provide consistent, high-quality opportunities to paddle, practice and connect without overloading events or compromising safety.
What happens if an event changes or is canceled?
All events are weather dependent. NWOC may adjust or cancel an event when weather, water conditions, safety, staffing, or other operational needs require it. A replacement date is not guaranteed, and NWOC will contact registered participants about material changes.
