On the Water, In the Work: PWSC’s Sea Kayaking Symposium

Since 2022, Prince William Sound College’s Sea Kayaking Symposium has been in motion, where instruction meets the reality of Prince William Sound.

Over 9 days, participants progress through a layered training program, from foundational sea-kayaking skills to advanced instruction. The symposium includes Wilderness First Responder (WFR) recertification, reinforcing critical emergency response in remote environments, alongside a rigorous American Canoe Association (ACA) Instructor Certification Course. This nationally recognized training prepares experienced paddlers to teach, lead, and manage risk with consistency and confidence. Level 2 instructor and skills courses continue to build technical ability in wind, current, and cold water.

Led by Benjamin Rush, Jeff Atkins, Kory Maillet, Lauren Brand, Paul Nylund, and Carrie Abruzzo, the symposium blends technical instruction with mentorship and field-based learning. Day trips to Shoup Bay and Gold Creek are pushing learning beyond theory—requiring real-time decision-making, rescue practice, and adaptability on the water.

Designed for all levels, the symposium creates space for both entry and advancement. ACA skill classes and guest speakers add depth, connecting local experience to broader practices in outdoor leadership and safety.

What sets this apart is the integration. Participants aren’t just learning to paddle—they’re learning to respond, to teach, and to lead. Rooted in place, this is applied education in motion—and a reflection of the responsibility required to move through Alaska’s coastal waters.