Skills Memberships

Paddle More. Learn More. Belong Here.

NWOC Skills Memberships are for paddlers who want to keep improving, paddle consistently, and stay connected to a supportive community. Learning does not end with a single class. Progress comes from practice, feedback, and time on the water. They are designed to support ongoing skill development and connection. Rentals and classes still stand on their own. Skills Memberships bring them together.

Why Join an NWOC Skills Membership?

Our Memberships are built around Skills Nights to give you regular, coached practice on core paddling techniques throughout the season.
Paddling with others builds confidence. Member Paddles give you additional chances to get on the water, stay connected, and keep momentum between Skills Nights.

Join Lake Level

Join Tide Level

Lake Level Membership

$399 / year

Best for: Paddlers who want structured skill development and community while maintaining flexibility in how they rent.

What’s Included

Skills Nights throughout the season (around one per month, May–early October)
Instructor-led evening sessions focused on practical paddling skills like rescues, edging, bracing, and stroke efficiency.
RSVP required; capacity is limited.

Our goal is to offer a consistent monthly rhythm through the season. Events are capped and scheduled intentionally to maintain quality and safety.

Member Paddles offered periodically throughout the season
Relaxed, staff-led group paddles that make it easier to stay consistent, meet other paddlers, and spend time on the water between Skills Nights.

Rental & Retail Discounts

15% off kayak rentals
10% off retail accessories (excludes kayaks; no discount stacking)

Good to Know

Skills Nights and Member Paddles schedules are released in small batches
Upcoming sessions are emailed and posted on our Membership Resources page
Paddles are planned around seasonal conditions and instructor availability
Members who join mid-season will continue to have access as the calendar carries into the following year.
Annual payment only

Lake Level is a great fit if you:

Paddle occasionally but want to improve
Enjoy learning in a low-pressure group setting
Value community as much as skill progression

Tide Level Membership

$699 / year

Tide Level is designed for paddlers who want consistent access to Lake Union, ongoing skill development, and a clear pathway beyond introductory classes. This membership is best suited for paddlers who have completed Fundamentals of Sea Kayaking or have equivalent experience and plan to paddle regularly with fewer barriers to getting on the water.

What’s Included

Everything in Lake Level, plus:

Free Kayak Rentals on Lake Union

Tide Level includes free access to NWOC kayaks for paddling on Lake Union, launching directly from our docks.

This access is designed to remove friction and make it easier to paddle consistently, especially on evenings or days when transporting your own kayak isn’t practical.

Members may rent a single, double, or triple kayak at no charge for use on Lake Union, launching from NWOC’s docks.

Includes use of one kayak per visit
July & August weekends excluded
Optional $100 add-on to include July & August weekends

Annual Coaching Benefit (Choose One Per Year)

Each Tide Level member may choose one of the following coaching option per membership year:

Option A: FOSK Refresher Weekend
For paddlers who have completed Fundamentals of Sea Kayaking (FOSK) or have equivalent experience approved by NWOC.
Includes:

Saturday Lake Union session (Join day 3 of a current FOSK class, 9:00am–12:00pm)
Sunday Deception Pass day trip

RSVP required and subject to class capacity.

Option B: Private Coaching Session
One 2-hour private lesson, focused on your goals (technique, rescues, edging/bracing, confidence building, etc.).

Available April-September (weekday mornings). Additional availability October-March when instructor schedules are more flexible.

One selection per membership year. Coaching benefits have no cash value and may not be exchanged.

What Are Skills Nights?

Skills Nights are coached lake paddles, not classroom-style classes. These sessions are designed for paddlers who want to practice and refine skills while spending real time on the water.

Expect:

Real paddling with intentional skill stops
Focus on rescues, edging, bracing, and strokes
Less lecture, more time on the water
Capped events to keep group sizes manageable and instruction effective

Skills Nights are meant to feel practical, supportive, and low-pressure. You should already be comfortable paddling on Lake Union, but you do not need to be an expert.

Details:

Often scheduled midweek evenings (commonly Wednesdays, 6:30–8:30pm)
Typically held once per month May–early October
RSVP required; space is limited

Available to Lake Level and Tide Level members only.

Skills nights and Member Paddles are released in small batches and shared directly with members by email and on the member resource page.

Membership offerings may evolve slightly over time to reflect conditions, participation, and instructor availability.

Member Paddles

Relaxed, staff-led group paddles that make it easier to stay consistent, connect with other members, and spend time on the water between Skills Nights.

Open to:

Lake Level members
Tide Level members

RSVP required. Capacity is limited.

Rental note:
Kayak rental is included for Member Paddles for Lake and Tide Level

Join Lake Level

Join Tide Level

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose Lake Level if you:

Want coached practice without changing how you normally rent
Paddle somewhat regularly and want to stay connected to the community
Are looking for a next step after a class
Own your own kayak or rent infrequently

Choose Tide Level if you:

Paddle regularly on Lake Union (~10 times per season)
Convenient, flexible kayak access on Lake Union
Want deeper individualized coaching or a FOSK Refresher weekend option

Not sure if a Skills Membership is the right fit?

Most members are not experts. Skills Nights are designed for paddlers who are comfortable paddling on Lake Union and want coached practice in a supportive group.

If you're unsure, a private lesson or class is a great way to build confidence and get oriented before joining.

When are Skills Night and Member Paddle dates announced?

Dates are released in small batches throughout the season, typically one to two months at a time. They are shared directly with members by email and on the member resource page. This allows us to adjust scheduling based on participation and instructor availability while keeping group sizes manageable.

Our goal is to provide consistent, high-quality opportunities to paddle, practice and connect without overloading events or compromising safety.