Logistics
Event Overview
The Golden Gate Sea Kayak Symposium is planned and managed by kayakers with support from the California Paddlesports Council. GGSKS is a three day instructional gathering of serious intermediate to advanced sea kayakers on the waters of San Francisco Bay. The venue is one of the most spectacular in the world – under the Golden Gate Bridge. The dates are planned to coincide with strong spring tides, creating exciting conditions for training. There will be 20+ coaches on-site with upwards of 10 classes offered each day. Classes are tailored to the region and cover a range of topics from rock gardening, navigation and tide races to official ACA and BCU classes and assessments.
Location The event is held in Sausalito, California, just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. There are two main meeting sites for the event. For on-water activities the main meeting site is The Presidio Yacht Club in Horseshoe Cove. For off-water activities the main meeting site is The Marin Headlands Hostel. Driving times between the Marin Headlands Hostel and The Presidio Yacht Club is approximately 10 minutes. Click here to go to the Symposium Map page for more information.
Getting Around Please try to carpool as much as possible. Parking is available at each site, but can fill quickly. The launch sites fall within the borders of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and they have asked us to be sensitive to other park users in the parking area. Please try hard to avoid a 1:1 person to car ratio. We understand that traveling with kayaks and gear is a process, so we’ll be running kayak trailers back and forth between the hostel and the launch.
Tides Friday February 17 High: 7:24am 6.2 Ft Low: 2:24pm -0.3 Ft Sunrise: 6:58am Sunset: 5:51pm Saturday February 18 High: 8:25am 6.3 Ft Low: 3:13pm -0.4 Ft Sunrise: 6:56am Sunset: 5:52pm Sunday February 19 High: 9:19am 6.3 Ft Low: 3:56pm -0.4 Ft Sunrise: 6:55am Sunset: 5:53pm
How to Register Each person registering must completely fill out three forms – a registration form, a liability release & a confidential health history form. All the necessary forms can be found on the “registration” page of this website. Registration is first-come first-served and limited to 100, so plan early. We do our best to get everyone into the classes they desire. If you are planning to stay at the Marin Headlands Hostel, please book that lodging through the event registration form.
Where to Stay Join us at the Marin Headlands Hostel. It’s close, it’s cheap, it’s fun and everyone else is staying there. The main house is reserved for the event and sleeps 80 people. Staying here with other students and coaches completes the symposium experience. It is a great place to stay and you are guaranteed to meet many new people. Please keep reading. The Marin Headlands Hostel is not a hotel, motel, condo or resort. The rooms are shared. Most rooms hold 8 people with bunkbeds, the largest room holds 20 people. Earplugs are useful. Cell service is poor and there is no wireless. Now to the good aspects of the hostel… It is in a beautiful setting in the Marin Headlands and is the headquarters of the event. For three days it is inundated with some of the best paddlers in the country and the world. It is a very social, cozy atmosphere that is highly affordable. In most cases, you will be tired enough to sleep through everything – even snoring.
What to Bring Bring all your paddling essentials. Pfd’s, spraydecks, paddles, helmets, towlines, VHF, etc. Proper clothing is absolutely mandatory. Kayaks must be sea-worthy.
Kayak Rentals We encourage people to bring their own sea kayaks if possible – make sure they are seaworthy. In an attempt to make the rental process run smoother in 2012, kayak rentals will be provided directly from local area outfitters and retailers. By doing this it will allow participants to find the exact equipment they desire quickly and efficiently. Participants will book directly with the outfitters and outfitters will provide delivery, etc. Click here to go to the Rentals page for more information. What to wear ON the water: It is mandatory that you dress for full immersion. The water temperature will be approximately 50 degrees. Clothing should consist of full tops and bottoms. Please, no shorts. Full neoprene wetsuits are acceptable. Drysuits and combination drytop/drypants are both acceptable with insulation underneath. Proper footwear is also mandatory for protection from cold water and jagged shoreline. Many paddlers wear gloves and neoprene headwear in this region. What to wear OFF the water: Be ready for everything. Warm, comfortable clothing is advised. Dress in layers, be ready for cold mornings and nights. Rainwear, warm jackets, socks and gloves, etc. You know yourselves better than we do, just be prepared.
Arrivals & Departures There are two major airports serving the San Francisco Bay Area: Oakland International Airport (OAK) & San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Oakland International is approximately 30 miles from the Marin Headlands Hostel and will take about 1 hour and 15 minutes by car. San Francisco International is approximately 23 miles from the hostel and takes about 45 minutes by car. There are many bridges to cross in the San Francisco Bay Area, all of which have a toll in one direction. Have cash ready.
Questions, Concerns & Comments If there is anything we’ve missed, let us know. We encourage any questions or concerns. Use the contact page to reach us via email, or directly at admin @ ggsks.com
Location The event is held in Sausalito, California, just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. There are two main meeting sites for the event. For on-water activities the main meeting site is The Presidio Yacht Club in Horseshoe Cove. For off-water activities the main meeting site is The Marin Headlands Hostel. Driving times between the Marin Headlands Hostel and The Presidio Yacht Club is approximately 10 minutes. Click here to go to the Symposium Map page for more information.
Getting Around Please try to carpool as much as possible. Parking is available at each site, but can fill quickly. The launch sites fall within the borders of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and they have asked us to be sensitive to other park users in the parking area. Please try hard to avoid a 1:1 person to car ratio. We understand that traveling with kayaks and gear is a process, so we’ll be running kayak trailers back and forth between the hostel and the launch.
Tides Friday February 17 High: 7:24am 6.2 Ft Low: 2:24pm -0.3 Ft Sunrise: 6:58am Sunset: 5:51pm Saturday February 18 High: 8:25am 6.3 Ft Low: 3:13pm -0.4 Ft Sunrise: 6:56am Sunset: 5:52pm Sunday February 19 High: 9:19am 6.3 Ft Low: 3:56pm -0.4 Ft Sunrise: 6:55am Sunset: 5:53pm
How to Register Each person registering must completely fill out three forms – a registration form, a liability release & a confidential health history form. All the necessary forms can be found on the “registration” page of this website. Registration is first-come first-served and limited to 100, so plan early. We do our best to get everyone into the classes they desire. If you are planning to stay at the Marin Headlands Hostel, please book that lodging through the event registration form.
Where to Stay Join us at the Marin Headlands Hostel. It’s close, it’s cheap, it’s fun and everyone else is staying there. The main house is reserved for the event and sleeps 80 people. Staying here with other students and coaches completes the symposium experience. It is a great place to stay and you are guaranteed to meet many new people. Please keep reading. The Marin Headlands Hostel is not a hotel, motel, condo or resort. The rooms are shared. Most rooms hold 8 people with bunkbeds, the largest room holds 20 people. Earplugs are useful. Cell service is poor and there is no wireless. Now to the good aspects of the hostel… It is in a beautiful setting in the Marin Headlands and is the headquarters of the event. For three days it is inundated with some of the best paddlers in the country and the world. It is a very social, cozy atmosphere that is highly affordable. In most cases, you will be tired enough to sleep through everything – even snoring.
What to Bring Bring all your paddling essentials. Pfd’s, spraydecks, paddles, helmets, towlines, VHF, etc. Proper clothing is absolutely mandatory. Kayaks must be sea-worthy.
Kayak Rentals We encourage people to bring their own sea kayaks if possible – make sure they are seaworthy. In an attempt to make the rental process run smoother in 2012, kayak rentals will be provided directly from local area outfitters and retailers. By doing this it will allow participants to find the exact equipment they desire quickly and efficiently. Participants will book directly with the outfitters and outfitters will provide delivery, etc. Click here to go to the Rentals page for more information. What to wear ON the water: It is mandatory that you dress for full immersion. The water temperature will be approximately 50 degrees. Clothing should consist of full tops and bottoms. Please, no shorts. Full neoprene wetsuits are acceptable. Drysuits and combination drytop/drypants are both acceptable with insulation underneath. Proper footwear is also mandatory for protection from cold water and jagged shoreline. Many paddlers wear gloves and neoprene headwear in this region. What to wear OFF the water: Be ready for everything. Warm, comfortable clothing is advised. Dress in layers, be ready for cold mornings and nights. Rainwear, warm jackets, socks and gloves, etc. You know yourselves better than we do, just be prepared.
Arrivals & Departures There are two major airports serving the San Francisco Bay Area: Oakland International Airport (OAK) & San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Oakland International is approximately 30 miles from the Marin Headlands Hostel and will take about 1 hour and 15 minutes by car. San Francisco International is approximately 23 miles from the hostel and takes about 45 minutes by car. There are many bridges to cross in the San Francisco Bay Area, all of which have a toll in one direction. Have cash ready.
Questions, Concerns & Comments If there is anything we’ve missed, let us know. We encourage any questions or concerns. Use the contact page to reach us via email, or directly at admin @ ggsks.com
