Recreational Kayak

Introduction to Whitewater (Duckie Day) July 19 $35

This class is designed for recreational kayak boaters who want to experience moving water (Class 1 whitewater). Basic safety will be reviewed and river skills will be practiced.  Inflatable kayaks (duckies) will be available for rental for those without boats.

Safety and Rescue

Flatwater Safety - Kayaks And Canoes (Lake Lanier) Rescheduled! June 28 $35

A one-day safety course focusing on the skills needed for paddling safely on expanses of flat water.  The only prerequisite skills are basic paddling techniques such as those learned in a beginning paddling course.

Basic Whitewater Safety July 26 $35

This is not a Swift Water Rescue course, but rather a one-day safety course focusing on the skills needed to immediately effect a rescue after an incident has occurred.  It follows the American Canoe Association's Basic White Water Safety curriculum and is a full day of learning and practicing simple safety concepts and rescue techniques.  The morning is demonstration and land-based exercises including throw ropes.  The afternoon is water-based exercises including self-rescue, rescue of others, and retrieval of boats and gear.  If you've never taken a river safety course, or haven't taken one recently, this is an excellent first course or refresher course.  The only prerequisite skills are basic paddling techniques such as those learned in a beginning paddling course.

White Water Canoe

Beginner Whitewater Canoe June 7-8 $65

For people who have minimal experience on moving water and/or have not had recent instruction.  Three-hour evening classroom session with videos and lectures covering equipment, safety, river features and paddling techniques for tandem and solo boaters.  Full day Saturday flat water session emphasizing strokes, safety, self-rescues.  Full day Sunday session on moving water river.  You must attend both the dry and flat water sessions to participate in the white water river portion of the course.

Trained Beginner Whitewater Canoe  May 3-4 August 16-17 $65

Participants should have had fairly recent beginner level instruction and at least 5 days of white water experience after the instruction. Participants should be able to do basic maneuvers on class II rivers (eddy turns, peel outs & ferries). Polish-up beginner skills, strokes and braces.

Intermediate Whitewater Canoe  May 10-11 POSTPONED New Date: August 16-17 $65

Intermediate clinic participants should be comfortable paddling class II-III white water such as the Nantahala,  and wish to learn how to play confidently in Nantahala-type waves and holes. Saturday morning lake session working on strokes and technique, and an afternoon session on a class II-III river working on turns, surfing, eddy hopping, etc. Full day Sunday trip on a class II-III river. Advanced Whitewater Canoe TBD $65 Advanced clinic participants will practice the maneuvers taught in the Intermediate clinic, but on Class 3 white water.

Whitewater Kayak

Beginner Whitewater Kayak   June 6 (eve),  7-8 $65

For people who have minimal experience on moving water and/or have not had recent instruction.  Three-hour evening classroom session with videos and lectures covering equipment, safety, river features and paddling techniques.  Full day Saturday flat water session emphasizing strokes, safety, self-rescues.  Full day Sunday session on moving water river.  You must attend both the dry and flat water sessions to participate in the white water river portion of the course.

Trained Beginner Whitewater Kayak May 3-4

Participants should have had fairly recent beginner level instruction and at least 5 days of white water experience after the instruction. Participants should be able to do basic maneuvers on class II rivers (eddy turns, peel outs & ferries). Polish-up beginner skills, plus bracing and rolling.

Intermediate Whitewater Kayak May 10-11 $65

Intermediate clinic participants should be comfortable paddling class II-III white water such as the Nantahala, wish to master the roll in rapids, and learn how to play confidently in Nantahala-type waves and holes. Participants should have a 100% flat water roll and a 50% reliable combat roll in class II rapids. Saturday morning lake session working on strokes and rolls and an afternoon session on a class II-III river working on turns, surfing, eddy hopping, etc. Full day Sunday trip on a class II-III river.

Advanced Whitewater Kayak   April 12-13 $65 Advanced clinic participants will practice the maneuvers taught in the Intermediate clinic, but on Class 3 white water.

Add your content here Nantahala Falls Weekend   September 6-7 $65 This clinic will spend 2 days working Nantahala Falls, the benchmark Class 3 rapid for the Southeast.  Participants must have a bombproof combat roll and strong eddying and ferrying skills.  Multiple runs of the falls over both days requires good physical condition; boats and gear will be hand-carried back upriver for each run.

Sea Kayak

Sea Kayaking Basics Charleston, SC  May 24-26 September 20-21 contact coordinator for fee

Two days of basic strokes, maneuvers, and rescue skills. One day on quiet water, the second in mild surf. The level of instruction will be geared to the skill level of the participants. Boats are available for rent if you don't have a sea kayak.

Sea Kayak Safety And Rescue Athens, GA June 21 (tentative) contact coordinator for fee

You're paddling your sea kayak half a mile offshore. Something goes wrong and you find yourself upside down. Do you know what to do? If not, join us for Annual Sea Kayak Safety and Rescue Clinic. Skills covered will include bracing, wet exits, bow rescues, and assisted and solo re-entries. Also perhaps some towing, and possibly some individual work on rolling if time permits. The (in-)famous kayak rescue relay competition will probably make a re-appearance. Participants will need a sea kayak, skirt, paddle, PFD, paddlefloat, and pump; the last two can be shared. Also bring a 15 foot piece of 1/4"-3/8" nylon rope. Noseplugs or diving masks are a plus if you don't like to have your face under water. Plan to get very wet. The registration for this event is a non-refundable check in any amount made out to the conservation organization (GCA River Access Fund, Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, Wilderness Society, Leave No Trace, etc) of your choice, plus some food to share for lunch.

Sea Kayak Strokes Athens, GA August 9 (tentative) contact coordinator for fee

An intensive stroke clinic with demos, practice, and video feedback. Details of the course can be seen HERE. ACA calls it "Advanced Strokes and Maneuvers," and some of the moves, like the bow rudder and the sideslip require a certain amount of technique, but most of the strokes are pretty basic. After practice, we'll video your strokes and then show the film for all to see and critique.