Pool Classes

Taking a pool class is a great introduction to the whitewater kayaking.  Pools are a mistake-friendly environment where you will be taught the fundamental skills of whitewater kayaking.  In your first class you will learn how to properly use a paddle, how to outfit your kayaking, exiting the boat after flipping (a 'wet exit') and how to control your boat with various strokes forward and reverse strokes, forward and reverse sweeps, sweep combinations and correction strokes.  You will also learn to keep your boat upright if you start to flip by using low and high braces, as well the bow rescue, also called the t-rescue or Eskimo rescue.  The bow rescue allows you to use another's kayak to right yourself after flipping.  Bow rescues and braces are the building blocks of the Eskimo roll and learning these skills first will make that process go much smoother.  In your first class we will begin to work on your Eskimo roll.

In later classes, you will learn and dial your roll, among other skills-  sculling braces & draws, draw-to-the-hip, duffeks & c-strokes, gliding draws, feathering sweeps, cross-bow draws, reverse combination strokes and more.  All these techniques will help develop and improve the skills you need to grow as a kayaker- paddle dexterity (using the paddled as an extension of your body), and edge control, controlling the angle of your boat to the surface of the water.

1.5 Hour Pool Class $60- Tuesday and Wednesday Evenings, 8-9:30 pm (other weeknights available)
(Check our Calendar of Events to see when our next class takes place).

River Classes

In our river classes you will learn the fundamental river running techniques of whitewater kayakingl- eddy turns, peel outs and ferries.  By using these skills you will be able catch eddies, the slowly moving water behind obstructions in the river, usually rocks.  By eddy hopping, moving from eddy to eddy, you will be able to kayak in and around rapids, not just straight down them as rafts do.  Eddies also allow you take a break, catch your breath and see what lies down stream before you get there.  In whitewater kayaking it is all about the eddies.   You will also learn about river hazards & obstacles, self rescue, how to scout rapids, building cross-current momentum, and other general river running strategies.  Introductory river classes are usually held on the Sandy and Clackamas rivers.  We also have regular trips to Klickitat and N. Santiam. 

4 Hour River Class $110- Saturday and Sunday Mornings, 9 am-12:30 pm
(Check our Calendar of Events to see when our next class takes place).

Recreational Kayaking Classes | Sea Kayaking Classes | Whitewater Kayaking Classes