2 Day Kayaking Course

Enjoy this fun and educational course, teaching you the basic skills you need to start enjoying kayaking in a safe and positive way.

On the first day, you will learn about the equipment necessary for kayaking and how to select the proper equipment and boat for you. You will then spend time in the pool learning the basics of safe boat exit and practicing the fundamentals for the Eskimo roll progression. After the pool session, you're off to the lake to work on the basics of kayak handling and maneuvering.

The second day of the course is spent on one of the rivers of the Columbia River Gorge developing fundamental paddling skills. Progressing from slow moving water to class II whitewater, you'll practice basic boat handling, eddy-turns and peel-outs, ferrying, water reading, self-rescue techniques, and safe paddling techniques.

After this 2-day course, you should possess the basic knowledge and skills necessary to get to the next level.

Essential Information

Duration

Experience Provider Info

Maximum Participants

Spectators

Weather Dependent

What To Wear

Rescheduling & Cancellations

1. What do I need to bring?

   You will need a bathing suit or shorts to wear under the wetsuit, and that's it! They provide all the equipment you will need for your trip (at no charge), including wet suits, paddle jackets and fleece, booties, personal flotation devices, helmets and paddles.  All you need to do is show up for the trip, and they will take care of the rest.

2. Do I have to be physically fit to kayak?

   Typically, kayaking takes a higher level of physical fitness than rafting.  This is due to the fact that you are individually responsible for making the kayak move and aren't able to rely on other people in your boat to assist you.  Like any sport, you don't need to be a professional athlete to enjoy kayaking.  Even more important than physical fitness is a positive, adventurous attitude.

3. Can I use my own kayaking gear for my instruction?
   Yes.  Please let us know at the time of booking if you choose to use your own gear and specify what it is you are using.  The kayak instructors will always need to make sure that your own gear is appropriate for the course you are taking. 
4. What is an Eskimo Roll?

   The Kayak Roll (often referred to as an "Eskimo Roll") is the act of rolling a capsized kayak right side up by using your body and paddle.  While many people think that rolling is the trick to learning to kayak, they feel that learning to stay right side up in the first place is the trick to learning to kayak.  They do work on the roll during the kayak course, but the real emphasis in the course is learning to control your boat so that you can paddle efficiently in a river environment.

5. Is kayaking dangerous?

   Whitewater paddling is thrilling, exciting, wet and wild and unbelieveably fun.  However, as in all outdoor adventure sports, there is an inherent risk involved.  Injuries are rare, but they can happen on any trip.  From the staff training, to the rivers they select, to the equipment they use, there are minimal risks because safety is their priority.

6. Are there changing rooms?
   Yes, there are changing rooms for the trips at the headquarters in White Salmon.  At the headquarters they have all the amenities necessary to make sure that your time spent off the water is as enjoyable as your time on the water.