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Special Advertising Section | Sunday, October 19, 2025 21Where to go kayakingWestern Washington, with all of its scenic waterways, is full of great options for kayaking. Here are some top spots, according to the Explore Washington State website:San Juan Islands: These waters are well-known for whale watching, so you may find yourself paddling among a pod of orcas. Alki Beach Park: This stretch is popular for its swimming, volleyball and other beach activities, but its sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains make it a kayaking hotspot.Lake Crescent: Nestled in the northern foothills of the Olympic Mountains, the lake offers kayakers the option of a multiday stay with its camping sites and other lodging.Lake Washington: Kayakers can marvel at some of the amazing homes along the shoreline or enjoy views of Mount Rainier at this freshwater lake nestled between Seattle and Bellevue.Lake Sammamish: Another beautiful Eastside lake, it offers several entry points for kayakers. Tibbett%u2019s Beach may be the best of them.Other options: Point Ruston, Blake Island Marine State Park, Lake Union, Gig Harbor.For your first detector, don%u2019t break your budget on something you%u2019re not sure about.%u201dHis model, a Minelab 3030, retails for upward of $2,000, but reliable entry-level models can be found for $100 and up. Plus, there%u2019s an active market for pre-owned detectors.The rest of his supplies are a pouch for any garbage he encounters, pinpointing detector, probe, sod cutter and %u201ca little plastic box for my treasures.%u201dIn these parts, kayaking is a shore thingEthan MacNamara, who teaches beginners how to kayak and paddleboard at Alki Kayak Tours in Seattle, estimates that at least half of the students in his classes are ages 50 and older.It%u2019s the same story at Olympic Outdoor Center in Poulsbo and Port Gamble, where older learners regularly fill up Trina Hahn%u2019s %u201cSmart Start%u201d introductory lessons.MacNamara and Hahn said more older adults are turning to kayaking and paddleboarding as a way to strengthen their upper body and boost self-confidence while also having fun on the water.%u201cKayaking is not only a physical sport that allows your body to continue moving, stretching and using muscles, but it is an incredibly therapeutic way to spend time outdoors,%u201d Hahn said. %u201cThe kayak community thrives by sharing stories and struggles with each other, and is a safe place to open yourself up and allow yourself to try new things.%u201dOne of her pupils, 75-year-old George Truckenmiller, reached out to Olympic Outdoor about a year ago for some private lessons after relocating from southern Arizona to Port Ludlow.%u201cWhat once was a hobby became a passion,%u201d Truckenmiller said. %u201cBe it hobby or passion, it%u2019s a wonderful way to keep the body and mind in shape. Once learning to paddle with good form, the entire body is engaged, in particular the core muscles.%u201dPhysical fitness isn%u2019t the only benefit, he said. %u201cSelf-confidence improves over time as skills improve, bringing a deeper connection with the water, and the surrounding forces of nature.%u201dTrina Hahn (left) instructs MaryBeth Arling at Olympic Outdoor Center. Arling, 60, is an avid kayaker even after knee replacement and other mobility challenges. (Courtesy of Trina Hahn)In working with her older pupils, Hahn said self-confidence is one of the first things to improve.%u201cI find that the biggest struggle is casting out their own internal bully. Especially as our bodies age, it is common for a kayaking student to be unkind to themselves and doubt their ability to do something new and challenging,%u201d she said. %u201cWorking through the stages of self-depreciation up to having confidence in themselves is the biggest and most important part of my job. It is absolutely remarkable what you are capable of when you believe in yourself, regardless of age.%u201d WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR FIRST KAYAK LESSON%u2022 A brief history of sea kayaking %u2022 Paying attention to waves, wind and tides%u2022 Parts of the paddle%u2022 Paddling safely%u2022 Basic paddle strokes %u2013 forward, reverse and sweeping (turning around)%u2022 Recognizing dangerous weather conditions%u2022 Dressing for submersion%u2022 Gear to bring %u2013 Alki Kayak Tours, Seattle