Intro To Whitewater Kayaking Courses
This full-day course focuses on whitewater essentials for new and aspiring paddlers. Family-friendly and appropriate for kids as young as 8, this course includes the latest gear, the highest quality instruction, transportation, and lunch. This program puts emphasis on fun, skill-building, and exploring some of the region’s most beautiful lakes and rivers.
Overview
Join NOC’s world-renowned Paddling School! This full-day course focuses on whitewater essentials for new and aspiring paddlers with little to no experience. Family-friendly and appropriate for kids as young as 8 with a participating adult, this course includes the latest gear, the highest quality instruction, transportation, and lunch.
Offered Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays May 24th – September 29th, 2025.
Begin the day by becoming familiar with the equipment and working with your instructors on selecting the most appropriate boat from NOC’s extensive fleet. The morning is spent on a calm section of lake or slow-moving river where you will learn basic strokes, boat control, and maneuvers. After a waterside lunch, your NOC professional instructors will lead you down a skill-appropriate section of the river where you can put your newly acquired skills to use. This program puts emphasis on fun, skill-building, and exploring some of the region’s most beautiful lakes and rivers.
Participants must be at least 8 years old. All minors (17 and under) require the presence of participating adults for this program. This course requires moderate physical activity and participants need to have the ability to swim from a capsized boat to shore (while wearing a PFD).
Skills You’ll Learn and Develop
- Boat Design, Whitewater Gear & Proper Fit
- River Feature Terminology
- Forward & Reverse Paddling
- Moving your Boat Sideways
- Balancing & Edging
- Exiting a Capsized Boat
- Risk Management
What to Expect
Guests will start by getting perfectly outfitted with a boat and all the necessary gear and then head to a calm lake to learn basic strokes, boat control, and safety maneuvers. After lunch, you will paddle an appropriate river and put your newly acquired skills to use! As much about the joys of kayaking and learning skills, this course emphasizes scenery, companionship, and fun! The course will take about 7 hours total between time on the water, gear selection, shuttles, and lunch.
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.
Participants will need to provide individual gear outlined below.
Necessary Items (for All Courses)
- Shorts or Swimwear
- Water Shoes or old sneakers
- Synthetic T-Shirts
- Sunscreen/Lip Balm
- Towel and Change of Clothes
- Reusable Water Bottle
- Clothing and Personal Items
- Rain Gear
Optional Items
- Synthetic Long Underwear
- Light Fleece Hoodie/Pullover
- Nose Clips
- Sunglasses and Eyeglass Strap
- Hat or Visor
- Ear Plugs
Participants must be at least 8 years old. All minors (17 and under) require the presence of participating adult for this program.
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.
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
