Skill Tests
Sea Kayaks
Our Sea Kayaking Skill Check is a one time, in person, verbal quiz that lets us know how familiar you are with the risks and necessary skills associated with sea kayaking in cold-water conditions. This includes but is not limited to deep-water rescue knowledge.
Please note: Kayaking on lakes and rivers is a drastically different experience than ocean kayaking, regardless of the type of sea kayak you are familiar with. If this is your first time in Bellingham Bay we suggest starting with our Sit-on-top kayaks! No skill check needed.
Sliding-Seat Rowboats
If you are interested in a Sliding-Seat Rowboat Skill Check please fill out this request form. Our skills test can be reviewed here.
Dinghy & Keelboat Sailing
You must be vetted by an instructor prior to renting any dinghy or keelboat. There are no exceptions to this, we want to introduce you to our boats and venue in a way that will ensure you are set up for success! Independent sailing on Bellingham Bay has its challenges and our boats have no motors; they must be sailed to and from the mooring or dock. Often the wind is shifty in the harbor and it can be crowded.
Our rentable sailboats include: J24 Keelboats and RS Quest Dinghies
Sailors will be checked off to sail in our green, yellow, orange, or red wind conditions.
There are three ways to complete a skill test and get signed off to rent a CBC sailboat:
1) An on-water sailing skill test with our staff:
Separate skill tests are required for sailing dinghies and keelboats.
Skill tests are $60 and are scheduled for 2 hours.
Sailors must provide their own crew, otherwise your crew will be your assigned instructor and private lesson rates will apply. Your crew does not need to know how to sail, nor will they be skills tested. We do not allow singlehanded rentals, so ideally your crew is someone you will be sailing with in the future.
Upgrading your skill test to be certified in higher winds may be offered as a rental with the discretion and oversight of the Manager on Duty.
2) Successful completion of our Dinghy or Keelboat Refresher sailing class and passing grade from an instructor. See rubric below*
3) Successful completion of our Intermediate Dinghy or Keelboat sailing class and passing grade from an instructor. See rubric below*
*Please note; it is not guaranteed that the instructor will be able to conduct a skill test in any class as it depends on the conditions, goals, and general skill level of the whole group.
All dinghy skill tests require the successful demonstration of a capsize and recovery. Wet suits are provided. We require you bring a friend or family member as a “crew” for your skills test.
Skill tests expire after two years of inactivity, even if you sail outside of CBC.