Whitewater Kayaking

  • Join us for some whitewater paddling on the Skykomish, Snoqualmie, Green, and other rivers around the state of Washington.

  • We organize trips for all skill levels on weekends in the spring and fall.

  • All trips depart from and return to the Waterfront Activities Center.

  • Look for signups and trip details on the upcoming events page as the trip date approaches.

  • If there is no trip for you, ask for one. Just email ukc-all, and quite possibly a trip leader will put something together.

More info

Although most trips take place close to home here in the Snohomish basin, trips to the Olympic Peninsula, Eastern Washington, and beyond regularly take place. Club trips take place throughout the year. Members have gone on week-long trips (Idaho's Middle Fork of the Salmon is popular for this) and have organized paddling excursions to Central and South America. We provide equal opportunities for beginners, intermediates, and experts. Club trips over the past year have featured river touring, play boating, and competitive slalom competition.

Beginners should practice basic kayaking skills in the pool or lake before going on a river trip. River trips usually meet and leave from the WAC on weekend mornings.

Transportation is cooperative, and all riders should give the driver some gas money. Please do not wait for your driver to ask you for your contribution. The trip coordinator may elect to use the UW Travel Office mileage rate to allow for the costs to the driver in addition to fuel, because most drivers spend more on insurance, maintenance and depreciation than they do on gas.

In order for anyone to use UKC equipment on an off-campus trip it must meet the official trip guidelines, as described in the Club Constitution, Rules and Customs, and Safety Guidelines.

  • At least one trip coordinator, pre-approved by the club Safety Committee for the level and type of trip considered, must be present.

  • At least three club members (trip coordinator included) must participate.

  • The trip must be to a location or stretch of river that has been pre-approved by the safety officer.

  • Required equipment for river trips includes at least one each of the following:

    • first-aid kit

    • break-down paddle

    • throw rope

If you have doubts about what to bring, you should check the the list of what to bring on a river trip.

A very useful beginner guide written by local kayakers can be found here.