I just returned from the 5-day overnight Expedition Course, and had a wonderful time enjoying the beautiful San Juan Islands, while learning more than I ever have in similar kayaking courses. Alex is a very knowledgeable, but also relaxed, instructor. He is very experienced and I felt safe kayaking with him, secure in the knowledge that I would be rescued if I pushed myself beyond my capabilities.The Expedition Course is limited to 4 participants, and the small class size ensures that everyone is involved. Alex puts the group together with an eye to match participants, so it is customizable to your skill level and interests. We used charts to plot our course every morning, and checked tides, currents, and weather (including wind) to choose the best launch time. While paddling, Alex would offer instruction on different strokes, edging, etc. We also practiced self and assisted rescues one afternoon, and learned to tie knots another time. He is a wealth of information for any boating question you can think of!I highly recommend BodyBoatBlade and its new owner, Alex Lalonde!

Some friends and I took the two-day Fundamentals course with Alex, followed by a three-day Expedition. All of us had some experience, some more than others. For those of us with less experience, this was the best place to start. Alex was easily able to adapt the lessons to correspond to what we knew, what we didnt know, and, most importantly, what we needed to practice. He was patient and gentle. After the Fundamentals class, we enjoyed a three-day expedition with Alex. We got to practice skills, including navigation and self- and assisted rescue. Most important, we had a great time! I really recommend Body Boat Blade for improving your skills and having a great exposure to the San Juan Islands.

Just competed the Rolling and Bracing 6 hour course. Alex is a great instructor. We reviewed the basics for each skill and then practiced in the water. While I was not successful in completing a role, I feel hopeful that I have the information I need to practice locally in Olympia/Tumwater. Definitely considering another course from Alex and Body, Boat, Blade.

We just completed a 2-day Foundations course and a 2-day Deception Pass Tides and Currents course with BBB. Our instructor Ryan was fantastic. He created the perfect environment where we felt comfortable and safe testing our boundaries in terms of what we are capable of. That is the place where growth happens! We will definitely be back next year to continue building our skills.

We just completed a Safety and Rescue class with Alex. It was a fantastic experience. The two-day course covered the important components of how to prepare, what to carry and how to be successful in actual rescue. Alex is skilled, organized and really makes the class fun. I left the class feeling much more confident about paddling alone with my partner. The two-day course felt like a mini-vacation with an awesome skillset as the take-away.

As a guide myself, seeking furthering education and skill building, Body Boat Blade was integral to my growth and professional development. I traveled up from Bend, OR to Anacortes, with the intent of becoming more confident in the ocean kayaking world. Alex was an amazing resource and instructor. I felt safe, empowered, and at moments a bit challenged. Given I have a background in whitewater (River) and teach Kayaking Classes in Bend, Alex took my paddling and awareness to the next level. His prices are fair. He customized my weekend to target things that I wanted to work on. I would send anyone I work with, and anyone interested in sea kayaking to him in a heartbeat. His business partners were easy to communicate with, and his employees all seem happy and well seasoned. Cant wait to go support his business again.

Great experience. The instructors were knowledgeable and fun. The best part was the small group size which allows for a lot of individual attention. learning the deep water exit and re-entry was intimidating but having someone by your side to coach you through and allow for multiple attempts until you have it down was great. I learned much more than I thought I would be able to in just one day. I gained the skills and confidence to paddle out to the islands on my own, which I’ve wanted to do for years.

My husband and I completed the two day Deception Pass Tides and Currents sea kayaking course with Alex at the beginning of July. Before we even arrived, he gathered information from us regarding our prior sea kayaking experience, and goals. He tailored the course for our needs using this information. We learned a lot, and Alex challenged us to push our boundaries in a supportive environment. We will be able to apply what we learned on our own for years to come. It was a lot of fun! Thank you Alex!

My wife and I took the sea kayaking foundations course this weekend and were thoroughly impressed with all aspects of the course, the company, and the staff. Boats and all necessary gear are available for paddlers who have not yet purchased their own equipment, but we brought our new kayaks with the goal of learning how to use them safely and with proper techniques. I would highly recommend the foundations course for anyone new to paddling or needing a refresher after a hiatus. We initially questioned whether a foundations class would be right for us, thinking we may need to start at a more advanced level. We were so wrong!!! Foundations is jam-packed with necessary information!!Our coaches were remarkable at meeting each person in the course where they were at in their skill level and challenged each of us to grow and improve on those existing skills. Any bad habits were kindly discussed and corrected, never leaving any of us feeling put down or on the spot. During our debrief, we were all able to identify several things we learned, improved on, and gained confidence with.If youre considering a kayak course, Body Boat Blade is an extraordinary place to start or refresh your paddling journey. Thank you to Alex and Ryan, our exceptional coaches. You were an absolute pleasure to learn from.

I just finished taking a Performance Paddling class with Alex. Amazing. Before the class he spent time finding out my skills and things I wanted to work on to get the most out of the class. During the class he gave great instructions followed by practice and positive reinforcement. When the class was over he made suggestions as to what to continue to work on to have the best strokes ever. It was so great to have fun AND improve techniques and refine skills. He was delightful and thoughtful...certainly a pleasure.We are fortunate BBB as such super new owners!

I took an advanced private class from Alex the new owner of BBB this past June. Alex and his apprentice Ryan were excellent! They taught me a consolidated version of the advanced ocean tides and currents class at Deception Pass. Their communication was clear as was their devotion to helping me demonstrate, practice, and learn new skills. Alex even sent me a video afterwards comparing one of my strokes that he was helping me to refine from beginning to end including footage of when I did it correctly vs incorrectly. How great that I get to continue to referring back to that as I strengthen that skill. Alex was always aware of our surroundings and furthermore did a great job explaining to me what were watching as the current continued to build that day. He did a fluid job of observing and discussing what conditions were optimal for growth and creating options to match my skills, abilities, edges, and even the injury I was nursing that day. Even more importantly I had a great time, lots of laughs, and an unforgettable experience in an amazing and outrageously beautiful environment. Im happy to report that the BBB torch has been passed along to competent and deserving hands. Ill absolutely be back to further my sea kayaking skills along my progression. Thanks Guys!

I took a performance paddling class with BBB and would recommend them to anyone. I first talked to Alex about my paddling experience and what I wanted to get out of a class. Based on that he recommended a class for me that covered most of my needs. He was a knowledgeable, thoughtful and supportive guide and went out of his way to make sure we were all pleased with the class.

A friend and I took the 2-day foundations class with Alex. Ive been paddling quite a while, but in a very stable boat where I just didnt need the finesse and technique I will need with my new performance boat. What a fantastic class. I learned so much about paddling strokes and maneuvering. We practiced rescues (again, a totally different animal in my new boat) and towing techniques. Trip planning, chart reading, some bracing, and many other tropics are covered. Alex is an incredibly knowledgeable teacher, as well as patient and encouraging and a lot of fun. Highly recommend.

We had a great intro to new paddling skills with Alex in Deception Pass. He is able to assess a paddlers skill level and plan a safe and well thought out program that strikes a perfect balance between maintaining confidence and pushing ones limits. Highly recommended!!

Alex went out of his way to take my family and me on a kayak tour of Desolation Pass. We were on the last day of our vacation and didnt have a reservation. He was on his way to go out on his own, but he put his plans aside and spent a wonderful 1.5 hours hosting us through the beautiful waters of the state park. His friendly manner and guiding skills made us feel right at home (even my 4 year old daughter!). I cant recommend Alex and BBB highly enough. And just to be clear - Im not encouraging anyone to follow in my footsteps ... if you want a tour, make a reservation ;->

I participated in the Ocean Currents class at deception pass - this was the best sea kayaking class Ive been in: Shawna and Seth are amazing instructors, I learned a lot and always felt save and had fun. Good equipment, small class, great theoretical warm-up. I can only recommend to go there.

I took a 2-day Ocean Currents class from Shawn and Seth in Deception Pass. What a wonderful time! They are calm, patient and accommodating coaches. I would highly recommend paying them a visit if you find yourself in the PNW!

The best people you could ever hope to find.

Leon and Shauna are amazing. You cant get better instructors or guides anywhere...except maybe Michigan.

Great place to visit/shop!

Lots of experience and a large variety of gear.