It is commendable that you finally recognized that you need training, but your anti-club attitude is not serving you well. The clubs offer good courses and good instructors and mentors in these clubs. With your level of training and skill you are a danger not only to yourself but also to anyone you paddle with.

I live in the Seattle area and at one time or another have belonged to all the clubs. I have taught for some of the clubs and for one of the local vendors. I started with The Mountaineers and was for several years active on their Sea Kayaking Committee.

Among The Mountaineers many activities, the two "heartburn" leaders for the insurers are climbing and sea kayaking. Mountain climbing is pretty obvious. Sea kayaking is rated so risky because of its perception – novices don’t perceive it as very risky. For example, I was in the San Juans, at Lime Kiln Park, and watched a couple launch wearing tee shirts and no life vests.

The Mountaineers offer a course every year to teach the basics of sea kayaking. Three nights of lectures, two pool sessions and a one-day paddle in protected waters that culminates in everyone doing wet exits and two rescues. Then students must go on another instructional trip of their choice at some time during the year. Yes, we have failed students. Yes, we have advanced clinics.

If you want to go on a Mountaineers trip you have to have graduated from the course or have taken an equivalent course and be on-water vetted. A one-day intro offered by many sources is not equivalent. There are many good multi-day courses offered locally by other clubs and commercial firms. And we don’t accept your word – bring a signed letter from your instructor.

The reason we require a good background for trip participants is so that you won’t endanger others. We also have pretty stringent gear requirements based on the trip rating and the leaders own requirements. I know one leader that leads moderate to high level trips and requires wet or dry suits and demonstrating a roll at the start of the trip.

The trip rating is based on the leader's assessment of the maximum potential conditions. Cape Flattery is at least a Level 4 trip, but I have been out there in Level 1 conditions. So any Cape Flattery trip gets a Level 4 rating or even a 5.

Find a local club. Take the course. Paddle with us for a while. Then strike out on your own. You might even continue paddling with us. If nothing else, we know where the good bakeries are.