Bay Area Sea Kayakers (BASK) is a non-profit 501(c)(7) sports club of several hundred sea kayakers who live throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Our interests include flat-water paddling, kayak-surfing, expeditions, and playing amongst the rocks, in conditions that range from mild to wild. Our club exists to bring paddlers together for companionship, safety, education, exploration, learning, and great food and drink! We're committed to safety both on and off the water, and our club holds insurance through Paddlesports Risk Management. We offer an inexpensive annual Skills Clinic to members, as well as numerous free clinics on skills, rescue, and safety throughout the year. We welcome as members all individuals interested in kayaking. We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive paddling club and to sharing our enthusiasm, skills, and knowledge to increase equity and access to our sport.
BASK trips range from local to international, and are all member-initiated with shared responsibilities for safety. BASK does not supply boats or equipment, although some members are willing to share their equipment. You have to be a member or a guest of a member to participate in on-the-water BASK events and a signed activity waiver is required. Follow the links to learn more about the benefits of membership and to join BASK.
We invite you to attend one of our monthly meetings, either online or in person. They are free and open to the public; in-person meetings include food (suggested donation $15). The format of each meeting may vary a bit month to month, but they tend to include members sharing stories, featured speakers, club news, and information about upcoming events. It’s a great way to meet club members and learn about paddling opportunities. For more information see the Events page!
Would you like to speak at a BASK meeting or have an idea for a speaker? Contact the Speaker Seekers. Interested in what type of speakers we’ve had in the past? See a representative list of previous general meeting topics.
BASK Health Guidelines
For the safety of participants at all BASK paddles and other in-person activities, please stay home and join us another time if you're experiencing symptoms of or testing positive for any respiratory or other easily communicable illness.
Next BASK General Meeting: Sunday, March 29 (In Person)
Time: 9:30–11:30 am.
Join our Annual General meeting to vote on the new slate of officers for 2026–27! The new nominees are: President—Larry Moss, Vice-President—Louise Glass, Secretary—Kelly Ray, Treasurer—Sean Duffy continuing in his 3-year role, and Member-at-large—Rob Hall. We owe a big thanks to Diane Dunwoodie for volunteering to serve as the new Food Maven. Also, catch up on the latest club news, hear about upcoming paddles, and hear from our featured guest speaker, Dan Arbuckle of Headwaters Kayak.
Location: Point San Pablo Yacht Harbor, 1900 Stenmark Dr., Richmond.
Post-Meeting Hosted Lunch: 11:30 am. Suggested donation: $15.
If you’re not yet a BASK member you're still welcome to attend.
You can also find information about becoming a member on the BASK website.Featured Presentation: "Sea Kayak Design: A Short History and A Look Ahead" by Dan Arbuckle
Every kayak design carries the DNA of centuries of powerful design traditions. Most modern kayaks can trace their lineage back to three primary design styles: Greenland, North American, and British. Each of these traditions produced unique boats shaped by local environments, cultural needs, and the demands of the water. This talk explores these classic design lineages and how they evolved, blended, and ultimately shaped the modern kayaks we paddle today.
Dan Arbuckle is the owner and lead guide at Headwaters Kayak in Northern California. With over a decade of experience in sea kayaking, instruction, and kayak outfitting, Dan specializes in kayak design, performance, and fit. He works closely with paddlers of all levels to help them find kayaks that match their goals, environment, and paddling style, and regularly leads demos, guided trips, and educational clinics throughout the region. Dan also consults with kayak manufacturers on new designs and serves as a field tester for prototype boats, helping shape the next generation of kayaks before they reach the market. He shares his testing, reviews, and paddling insights on his popular YouTube channel, Headwaters Kayak.
Dan Arbuckle of Headwaters Kayak
Volunteers Needed!: And appreciated for setup and/or cleanup.Stay tuned for more details on Currents. (Log in first for access.)
Have an item for the agenda? Got ideas for meetings or locations? Contact Brad Findlay, BASK President.
