River Kayaking Basics – Class & Tour

Learn Kayaking Basics

In this half-day class, we’ll cover the necessities of river paddling, including river safety, an overview of river hydrology, capsizes and re-entry, paddle strokes, boat handling and maneuvering, and how to avoid common injuries. All paddlers should be in good physical condition, able to do 3 pullups (this will help you get back in your boat!) and excited about an immersive paddling experience!

This course takes place on Class I-III whitewater and is designed for beginning paddlers who have a desire to safely navigate and enjoy Class II rivers.

We keep our courses small with a high instructor to student ratio. Class size is generally 6-12 students. There is a minimum of 3 participants to run a trip. Please call for private lesson options if you have less than 3 in your group.

This course is a pre-requisite for our Skykomish River Inflatable Kayak Trips.

Read more about River Gear

Course Equivalent: American Canoe Association (ACA) River Kayaking (Level 3)

Additional Instruction and Paddling Opportunities

This course is a pre-requisite for participating in our Main Skykomish Inflatable Kayak Trip and is a great preface to hardshell kayaking.

River Rating

• Class I-III