Kayak Lessons

We offer private lessons for those that want to work on their skill development.

Our Smart Start Kayaking Course provides a brief introduction to paddling a kayak and ensures that foundational skills and concepts are learned to ensure confidence and safety when exploring flatwater by kayak. Both first timers and paddlers with some paddling experience will find this course useful. This course will help you develop the good habits and foundation skills that will amp up your learning curve. Self-rescues, or how to get back in/on top of your kayak are covered as well. After this course you will be comfortable being on the water!

Our Flatwater Kayak Safety & Rescue course introduces essential flatwater safety practices and rescue techniques that can be performed with a minimum of equipment – in the first few minutes of an emergency. The course covers key self-rescue skills for different mobility levels, and kayak types as well as assisted rescues, rope handling skills, and more. The focus is on fast, simple, low-risk rescue techniques to manage minor in-water incidents.

Our Kayak Paddle Stroke & Safety Primer is a fast-paced training course offering the paddler the opportunity to learn and refine some of the most used paddle strokes and maneuvers.

Some of the strokes we will work on are: low brace, forward stroke refinement, reverse stroke, forward and reverse sweep, stern rudder, and sculling draw. In addition we will also go over the most used rescues: assisted T-rescue, and cowboy/cowgirl self-rescue and paddle float self-rescue.

The Introduction to Kayaking program is our most comprehensive beginners course. It emphasizes safety, enjoyment, and skill acquisition for entry level individuals. It is perfect for first timers who want to start off on the right foot, or for people with some paddling experience wanting to work on foundational skills.

This 16-hour course will help you develop good habits and foundation skills that will amp up your learning curve. The course covers everything from getting comfortable being in a kayak, understanding the paddling environment, personal physical preparation, appropriate equipment and care, and more. You will be learning various paddling strokes and rescues with ample time to practice. The course concludes with a river trip in which you can put all you have learned together.

The class is offered in different formats to fit your schedule: a 5-week course, a 6-week course, or an intensive 3-day workshop. Each format consists of 16 hours of instruction and covers the same comprehensive information, ensuring you get the full learning experience no matter which option you choose. Please check below to see which format is being offered for the upcoming class.

The ACA Skill Assessment course is designed to evaluate a participant’s ability to perform all of the fundamental skills along with demonstrating an appropriate level of knowledge. This assessment course provides the participant with the opportunity to receive documentation of having achieved a ACA’s Level 1 of paddling ability.

The Kayaking Essentials program continues where the Introduction to Kayaking course left off. We will refine your skills while introducing a few new strokes and the concept of edging. This 6-week course also covers advanced rescue techniques and foundational skills needed to advance to rolling class.

Completion of the Introduction to Kayaking program is not required. However, this is not an introductory course and students must demonstrate the necessary prerequisite skills.

The course concludes with a day paddle at Cape Canaveral National Seashore where you can put all you have learned into practice.

The ACA Skill Assessment course is designed to evaluate a participant’s ability to perform all of the fundamental skills along with demonstrating an appropriate level of knowledge. This assessment course provides the participant with the opportunity to receive documentation of having achieved ACA’s Level 2 of paddling ability.

The Discover Kayaking program lets you experience the excitement of kayaking in a safe environment. During your adventure you will be introduced to fundamental concepts and skills before heading off on a short kayak trip. This course includes pre-launch orientation which establishes basic safety skills and kayak terminology. The on-water orientation initiates the paddler to a foundational set of paddle strokes and maneuvers.

Our comprehensive Kayak Rescue Class is designed to equip paddlers of all levels with the essential water safety skills they need. This course focuses on four key rescue techniques:

1. Wet Exit: Master the skill of safely exiting your kayak after capsizing, ensuring you can handle unexpected situations with ease and composure.

2. Self Rescues: Learn effective self-rescue techniques to swiftly get back into your kayak after a mishap, empowering you to handle challenging conditions independently.

3. Assisted Rescues: Discover how to assist fellow paddlers back into their kayaks after capsizing, fostering a supportive and responsible kayaking community.

4. Towing and Swimmer Carries: Acquire the necessary skills to tow and support other kayakers to safety, as well as safely rescuing and transporting swimmers to a kayak or shore.

Through hands-on practice, real-life scenarios, and expert guidance, you will gain the confidence and proficiency needed to handle various rescue situations. Our experienced instructors will ensure you are well-prepared to navigate any challenges that may arise during your kayaking adventures.

Join us for this invaluable Kayak Rescue Class, and let us help you develop the skills to ensure a safe and enjoyable time on the water for yourself and your fellow paddlers. Safety is our priority, and we look forward to seeing you thrive as a capable and responsible kayaker!