ShePaddles: Women’s Intro to Sea Kayaking

June 9-11, 2025

Your paddling journey starts here!

This multi-day sea kayaking class is just what you’re looking for – a beginner-friendly introduction to the joys of sea kayaking in an immersive and supportive environment.

Join a small group of women at our remote oceanfront ecolodge, where comfort and adventure blend naturally. You'll learn the fundamental skills of sea kayaking in protected waters, guided by our experienced and encouraging instructor. We'll cover everything from essential paddle strokes and efficient maneuvering to risk management and coastal navigation.

This isn't just about learning to kayak; it's also about building confidence. Our nurturing atmosphere fosters a space where you can ask questions, learn at your own speed, and connect with like-minded women who share your adventurous spirit. By the end of the course, you'll have the skills and self-assurance to continue your paddling journey independently, exploring the wonders of Alaska's coastline.

After each rewarding day on the water, return to the comfort of our ecolodge, where cozy yurt accommodations await. Share stories of your adventures, forge new friendships, and soak in the tranquility of our pristine location. This is your opportunity to unlock a new world of adventure and connect with the wild beauty of Alaska. Join us and discover the joy and freedom of sea kayaking in a supportive and empowering community of women.

Class Highlights:

• Small group setting: Personalized attention and a supportive learning environment. Space is limited to 6 women only.

• Expert instruction: Learn essential sea kayaking skills from our professional wilderness guide and experienced educator, Emily Burke.

• Calm and protected waters: Gain experience paddling in sheltered coves with beautiful scenery.

• Comfortable ecolodge accommodations: Relax and recharge in our fully outfitted Premier Yurts.

• Confidence-building experience: Guided sessions build the self-assurance you need for independent exploration of Alaska's stunning coastal waters.

Meet your instructor: Emily Burke

You can often find Emily sipping coffee on a boat while searching for wildlife, quick to share a smile and a story about the ecosystem you are experiencing together. Emily loves the wonder and awe that rugged fjord landscapes inspire and how every day on the water can be a peaceful and playful way to engage with the world.

Emily first came to Seward as a sea kayak guide in 2015 and has developed a deep affection for the Kenai Fjords. Over the last decade she has lead kayak camping and mothership-based kayaking trips, deckhanded on glacier and wildlife tour boats, and currently captains the Shearwater Cove vessels.

During the boreal winter, Emily migrates south and works as an expedition guide on ships along the Antarctic Peninsula. She supports sea kayaking and stand-up paddleboard programs in polar waters as a safety boat driver, interprets ice and wildlife for guests, and gives presentations on the region’s ecology. 

Emily is also a research scientist, specializing in marine biology and movement ecology. She enjoys the challenge of coordinating fieldwork logistics for sailing research vessels and remote field camps, as well as sharing findings in scientific publications. Emily holds a degree in evolutionary biology from Harvard University, a Masters of Science in marine biology from the University of New Hampshire, and a 100 Ton master mariner credential from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Wherever she explores coastlines and currents, Emily brings an infectious enthusiasm for adventure and the natural world that engages everyone around her. She looks forward to sharing this special, multi-day sea kayaking class with you!

Class Topics & Activities

Topics

• Introduction to sea kayaks and the associated gear: parts of the boat, rudders, paddles, spray skirts, pfds, vhf radios

• Layering & things to consider when gearing up

• Paddling strokes & techniques

• Launching & landing from docks & wild coastlines

• Coastal navigation & tides

• Interpreting weather in a fjord environment

• Water safety & risk management

• Natural history & paddling with wildlife

• Trip planning & daily routines

activities

• daily guided kayaking excursions to practice skills & techniques. Destinations include:

  • Hidden Waterfall in Humpy Cove

  • The Fox Island Spit, aka Sandspit Point State Marine Park

  • El Dorado Narrows

  • Hat Island

• Classroom sessions

• Option for controlled capsize practice in the protected waters of Shearwater Cove

• enjoy lunch and a beach walk on the Fox Island Spit

• shared dinners & hangouts around the fire

• scheduled down time to relax and enjoy our cozy yurt accommodations

The Whole Scoop

Cost & booking policies

$1,380 per person

Price includes:

• round trip boat transportation from Seward (Shearwater Cove is accessible only by boat)

• 2 nights Premier Yurt lodging at our wilderness ecolodge

• sea kayaks and all associated gear

• 2 full days instruction from professional wilderness guide Emily Burke

• 2 hearty and healthy dinners

• special welcome gift ;)

• memories and skills to last a lifetime!

booking policies:

• 50% deposit due to secure your spot. Remaining 50% due on May 15, 2025.

• Deposits & payments for this class are non-refundable. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. One option is travelinsurance.com.

Have a question that hasn’t been answered?

Give us a call/text at (907) 491-0201, or fill out the form below.