About Kayak Academy

In 1991 George Gronseth established the Kayak Academy to fill the need for lessons that exceed the industry standards. The Kayak Academy quickly earned a reputation for providing the best lessons available, from beginning to advanced. We were the first kayak school to offer High Wind Training, River Kayak Cross Training for sea kayakers, and in N. America the first to offer instruction on Greenland paddling technique and rudder-free sea kayaking technique.

If you appreciate the value of an outstanding instructor and a small class size, then the Kayak Academy is for you. If you're concerned about safety, if you enjoy learning all you can, if you want the freedom that comes with being a highly skilled kayaker, then you want lessons with the Kayak Academy. In our courses, beginners soon become better paddlers than most kayakers with years of experience. No other courses compare to the Kayak Academy's.

George Gronseth

Think of the best teacher you ever have had and the difference he or she made in your life; a lesson with George Gronseth will have a similar impact on your enjoyment of this sport. All our sea kayak courses after SK101 are taught in person by George Gronseth. George is a columnist for Sea Kayaker magazine, co-author of "Sea Kayaker Deep Trouble" (the only sea kayaking safety book), a speaker at clubs and kayak symposiums, and the industry leader for safety and state-of-the-art technique. Yet, even with the best instructor, the smaller the class the more you learn. Since our goal is for you to learn as much as possible, the Kayak Academy's courses are limited to a maximum of three to five students, and that's not just a ratio--it's the total number in the class.

In addition to practicing what we preach, we also practice where we paddle - not in pools or classrooms! Learning how to plan trips and navigate is a lot more fun and meaningful when you're looking at a body of water instead of a chalk board. When teaching rescue skills, we don't just talk about open water theoretically - we take you out there to practice in it. There's no substitute for firsthand experience.

Contact Information

The Kayak Academy
11801 188th Ave SE
Issaquah, WA 98027
e-mail us at info@kayakacademy.com or call us

WINTER HOURS (April -October) 

OPEN:
Tuesday - Friday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm Pacific Time
Saturday 9:00 am-4:00 pm Pacific Time

CLOSED: Sunday - Monday
CLOSED for holidays