Membership

Index

Membership

How to Join

see also:

Kayak Skills Instruction
Club Kayaking Equipment
Club Rules and Guidelines

Membership

Regrettably, liability prevents alumni who are not faculty or staff from joining the club.

Additionally, University of Washington Extension students, Branch Campus (Tacoma and Bothell) students, ASUW's Experimental College students, UW Alumni Association members, and the general public are not eligible for membership.

There are three levels of membership: Lake, River/Sea, and Independent (also known as self-sufficient membership).

• Lake Membership  

  $40/year

  Entitles a member to use club equipment on Lake Washington, Portage Bay, and Lake Union.   You can take out a boat for a paddle whenever the Waterfont Activities Center (WAC) is open.  The WAC's schedule varies over the course of the year, but it is generally open from mid-morning until dusk, seven days a week.  In addition to individual paddling, there are occasional organized, informal lake trips.

   

• River/Sea Membership

  $55/year

  Allows a member to use club equipment on official club river and sea kayaking trips as well as the lakes mentioned above.  The club runs trips year round, though there are definite seasons for different kinds of paddling.  A normal year sees whitewater paddles on most major rivers within a few hours drive of Seattle and sea kayak trips throughout Puget Sound, the San Juans, and southern British Columbia. River/Sea membership includes membership to the American Canoe Association (ACA).

   

• Independent Membership

  $10/year

  For people who have their own kayaking equipment and wish to participate in club trips or pool sessions.

Memberships are valid from when they're established through the end of September each year, at which time they must be renewed.  Members joining during summer quarter pay only half price due to the limited time remaining for boating.

In addition to the above fees, faculty, staff members, and spouses must pay a fee of $8 per quarter for use of the Waterfront Activites Center (WAC).  Independent members are exempt from the WAC fees.

Membership Waiver Cards

Everyone must complete a member data sheet and waiver card prior to participating in club activities.

Insurance

The Department of Recreational Sports Programs strongly recommends all sports club members have adequate accident/medical insurance coverage while participating in club activities. All club members are responsible for arranging their own coverage.  Brochures on the Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan for registered UW students are available in the IMA Sports Club Office.

How to Join

Joining the University Kayak Club is easy.  During Autumn, Winter, and Fall Quarters, all you have to do is attend a pool session.  Pool sessions are held on most Sunday mornings from 8:30AM to 11:30AM.  During Summer Quarter, come to a lake session instead.

Regardless of the season or location, at the session you will need only

• fill out a waiver card and the member data sheet
• pass the swim test (wet exit from a kayak and tow it 50 yards while swimming)
• pay your membership fee, and attend the orientation session right after the session

That's all there is to it!  The wet exit is indeed wet, so bring a swimsuit.

Check the announcements page for a listing of dates and times when pool and lake sessions will occur.  For all sessions, meet on the waterfront side of the Waterfront Activities Center (WAC) across from the office where canoes are rented.  If you're not familiar with the WAC's location, it is circled in red at squares R18 and S18 in the maps below.  To get to the WAC, head to the Montlake Bridge side of the Husky Stadium and follow parking lot E12 downhill.  The WAC is right at the bottom of the lot—if you don't see docks, a boat ramp, numerous sailboats, and the UW canoe fleet, you're not in the right place.