Thank you for 15 remarkable years of Adventure and Learning!

It’s been a trip, and now it’s time for a new challenge. I (Nate) am moving on to a new career in land conservation (read more about that here), and Pinniped Kayak is closing this fall. It’s been wonderful paddling alongside so many of you as you worked towards goals, unlocked new skills, and generally had a blast on the water. Thank you! While I will no longer be providing paddlesports coaching, I won’t be going far — my new office overlooks Sullivan Falls!

P&H kayak sales will now be offered by Michael and Rebecca Daugherty, already familiar to many of you, at Sea Kayak Stonington. Michael and Rebecca also offer skills courses.

For paddlesports coaching at all levels, Todd Johnstone-Wright continues to offer a full range of paddler development, leadership training, and instructor and coach certifications to both sea kayakers and whitewater paddlers.

If you’re looking for equipment this fall, all of my remaining new boats and paddles are 20% off. I’ve also got a few demo boats on sale (composite and Corelite), two drysuits, and a variety of other odds and ends. An incomplete list can be found on the Gear Shop page.

Thanks everyone!
Nate

Pinniped Kayak was established by Nate Hanson to offer creative and student-centered sea kayak instruction to paddlers in eastern Maine's superb coastal venues.

We love kayaking, and we want to enable more paddlers to safely explore and enjoy the outstanding ocean kayaking venues our region is known for. Whether you aspire to enjoy quiet island sunsets, confidently lead a group of day paddlers, or surf the biggest tidal races in Maine, we want to help you realize your goals safely, knowledgeably, and with a giant grin on your face.

P&H is paddled here. We are proud to paddle, sell, and put our students in the most innovative, well-built, and best-performing sea kayaks available.

“Pinniped (meaning fin-footed) is the name given to the group of marine mammals that includes seals, sea lions, and walruses. In the Gulf of Maine the Harbor Seal and Grey Seal are our companions almost any time we climb in a kayak. These amphibious creatures, more at home in the water than they are on land, seem like good namesakes to me - a kayaker striving for finesse in the water.”

— Nate

DEPOSIT POLICY: After registering for a course, you’ll receive an email with a link to our deposit payment system. Your 50% deposit reserves your spot and helps us plan for consistent class sizes. If you cancel 30 days in advance, your deposit will be refunded (minus 3% credit card transaction fee), or credited in full to a future course. If you cancel less than 30 days before the course date, your deposit can only be refunded if we are able to fill your vacant spot. If Pinniped Kayak cancels a course for any reason, your deposit will be refunded in full.