Class II River Kayaking
This is the perfect “Bridge Course” for paddlers progressing from beginner proficiency in a whitewater kayak to intermediate skill levels in a two or four-day clinic. Strengthen your whitewater kayaking skills and enjoy more advanced rivers with the best in instruction! Refine strokes, concepts, maneuvers, rescuing and rolling your boat in moving water.
Overview
Class II River Kayaking clinics provide students an opportunity to fine-tune strokes, concepts, maneuvers, and rolling techniques they’ve been working on. Participants will focus on increasing proficiency and efficiency while paddling, river reading, and running rapids. This is the perfect “Bridge Course” for paddlers advancing from beginner proficiency in a whitewater kayak to intermediate skill levels.
All our NOC Instructors are professionally trained and are certified ACA instructors. Our team of instructors will assess paddlers, provide coaching and help improve paddlers’ skills, empowering them to carve up Nantahala Falls and enjoy more advanced rivers like the Pigeon, Chattooga, or French Broad. In this course, we will continue to tune up and refine paddlers rolls to be more consistent and reliable.
We also offer a NEW Women’s 2-Day Course. This is a course designed to give all Level II Women paddlers space to advance their skills while traversing the waters. Please note that this is a WOMEN’S ONLY COURSE.
Prerequisite: Prior to signing up for Class II River Kayaking, participants should have experience paddling Class I-II whitewater in a whitewater kayak and using paddling gear and equipment. Participants should also have experience with flatwater rolling and understand paddling terms, along with the following fundamentals:
- Wet Exit
- Boat Based Rescues
- Rolling
- Carving & Edging
- Catching Eddies
- Peel Outs
- Ferries
Skills You’ll Learn and Develop
We offer both two and four-day courses. The four day is recommended for paddlers serious about quickly advancing, so students can log more river time with instructors. Additionally, four-day courses provide more opportunities to test out the latest boats and gear – helping you determine what best fits your body type and paddling style.
- Strokes and concepts to be more proactive, efficient, and to be more confident on advanced rivers
- Ferrying, Peel Outs, Eddy Turns and redirecting momentum
- Surfing waves and holes
- Scouting, river reading, and trip awareness
- Boat-based rescue, rolling Technique, and Combat Roll
- Introduce Compound Strokes
What to Expect
Guests will start by getting perfectly outfitted with a boat and all the necessary gear and head to an area lake or river to work on techniques, then quickly progress to local rivers to take on larger rapids.
The extended four-day courses allow additional opportunities for paddlers to try out the latest boats and gear to determine the best fit for their body type and paddling style.
Dates
Location
Before You Visit
- All necessary specialty whitewater equipment
- Lunch & In-Course Transportation
- Access to NOC’s extensive fleet of instruction boats for in-clinic use
- NOC’s highly trained, ACA certified instruction
NOC Provides the primary gear needed for each course including boats, paddles, PFD’s, helmets, spray skirts, semi-dry tops, wetsuit bottoms and booties. Exclusive discounts are available for course participants at the Outfitter’s Store.
Necessary Items (for All Courses)
- Shorts/swimwear
- Water shoes or old sneakers
- Synthetic T-shirts
- Sunscreen/lip balm
- Towel and change of clothes each day
- Reusable water bottle
- Clothing and personal items
- Rain gear
- Synthetic long underwear
- Light fleece hoodie/pullover
Optional Items
- Nose clips
- Sunglasses
- Eyeglass strap
- Hat or visor
- Earplugs (if sensitive to water)
Prior to signing up for Class II River Kayaking, participants should have experience paddling Class I-II whitewater in a whitewater kayak and using paddling gear and equipment. Participants should also have experience with flatwater rolling, understand paddling terms, as well as the following fundamentals:
- Wet Exit
- Boat Based Rescues
- Carving and Edging
- Catching Eddies
- Peel Outs
- Ferries
Lunch is included in the course fee. Additional meals, snacks, and beverages can be purchased at NOC’s two onsite restaurants or the General Store.
Discounts available at NOC lodging and restaurants.
Meet Our Instructors
The NOC Paddling School stands out because of its exceptional instructors, who are experienced, skilled paddlers, and creative teachers. Their expertise and dedication are why Outside Magazine named us the “Best Place to Learn”
Click here to view our full list of Paddling School Instructors
