Decorative Arrows

Learn to Kayak

Kayak Roll ClassPaddling Technique ClassOn River ClassTwo-Day Fasttrack Class Practice Roll SessionsInflatable Kayak Class Sit On Top Kayak Class

Our kayak school provides you with the opportunity to lean the dynamic sport of kayaking in a controlled environment and supportive atmosphere. Kayaking can provide a lifetime of excitement, fun and exercise. Our kayak school is centered on the three building blocks essential to kayak instruction:


KAYAK ROLL CLASS

The centerpiece of the sport of kayaking is the Eskimo Roll. We offer classes aimed at teaching you this important technique. Instruction is primarily focused on the “C to C” and sweep rolls. Sessions include a one hour session in the classroom and two 1.5 hour separate pool sessions.
During the winter these sessions are held at Mulberry Pool or Epic Pool. In warmer weather, we hold the sessions on a nearby pond. In addition to regularly scheduled sessions, private instruction is also available.

Season: May to August  
Cost: Scheduled Group Class $80 (includes classroom & pool sessions)
  Equipment Rental $5
  Private Instruction $160 (3.5 hrs & includes equipment)
  Additional Person for Private $80

Meet: Rocky Mountain Adventures

Class Schedule:

  Classroom Session 1st Pool Session 2nd Pool Session
Pool Roll Class - 1 February 8
2:00 – 3:00 pm
February 8
3:30 – 5:00 pm
February 15
3:30 – 5:00 pm
Pool Roll Class - 2 March 1
2:00 – 3:00 pm
March 1
3:30 – 5:00 pm
March 8
3:30 – 5:00 pm
Pool Roll Class - 3 March 29
2:00 – 3:00 pm
March 29
3:30 – 5:00 pm
April 5
3:30 – 5:00 pm
Pool Roll Class - 4 April 19
2:00 – 3:00 pm
April 19
3:30 – 5:00 pm
April 26
3:30 – 5:00 pm

  Classroom Session On-Water Pond Session    
Pond Roll Class - 1 June 20
8:30 – 9:30 am
June 20
9:30 am – 1:00 pm
Pond Roll Class - 2 June 23
8:30 – 9:30 am
June 23
9:30 am – 1:00 pm
Pond Roll Class - 3 July 1
4:00 – 5:00 pm
July 1
5:00 – 8:30 pm
Pond Roll Class - 4 July 5
1:00 – 2:00 pm
July 5
2:00 – 5:30 pm
Pond Roll Class - 5 July 16
1:00 – 2:00 pm
July 16
2:00 – 5:30 pm
Pond Roll Class - 6 July 28
8:30 – 9:30 am
July 28
9:30 – 1:00 am
Pond Roll Class - 7 August 2
8:30 – 9:30 am
August 2
9:30 am – 1:00 pm
Pond Roll Class - 8 August 13
8:30 – 9:30 am
August 13
9:30 am – 1:00 pm

Book a Kayak Roll Class



KAYAK PADDING TECHNIQUE

Geared for the first-time kayaker, this half-day class focuses on learning and perfecting proper paddling strokes. Our initial goal is to have you get comfortable on the water and develop a sense of control over your boat. Concepts such as the paddler’s box, range of movement, laws of motion, and physical conditioning are explored. Through examination of  these and other topics, you will better understand how to be an effective and efficient paddler. Specific attention will be given to forward, sweep , reverse sweep, and draw strokes along with low angle and high angle bracing. To make learning these skills easier, we teach this class on calm water. This class is an appropriate prerequisite to the On River Class. In addition to regularly scheduled group classes, private instruction is also available.

Season: Year –Round  
Cost: Scheduled Group Class $80
  Equipment Rental $5
  Private Instruction $160 (3.5 hrs & includes equipment)
  Additional Person for Private $80

Meet: Rocky Mountain Adventures

Class Schedule:

  Session Date and Time
Paddling Techniques Class - 1 June 26
1:15 – 4:45 pm
Paddling Techniques Class - 2 July 7
1:15 – 4:45 pm
Paddling Techniques Class - 3 July 17
5:00 am – 8:30 pm
Paddling Techniques Class - 4 August 1
8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Paddling Techniques Class - 5 August 9
1:15 am – 4:45 pm

Book a Paddling Technique Class


ON RIVER CLASS

Designed for your first time river experience, this instructional class has just the right combination of moving water and rapids to ensure lots of learning time and excitement. In addition to learning the basics of boat handling and river safety, this course will teach you essential river reading skills and maneuvers like eddy turns, peel outs and ferrying. Not to worry, you will find plenty of time to work on your river roll; we may even be able to enjoy a little surfing. We offer this class as a one-day or two-day option. If you enroll in the two-day class, more time is spent on refining your river reading skills, stroke techniques, and personal rescue skills. Lunch is provided. In addition to regularly scheduled group classes, private instruction is also available.

Season: Late May – August  
Cost: Scheduled Group Class $130
  Equipment Rental $15
  Private ½ Day Instruction $160 (3.5 hrs & includes equipment)
  Additional Person for Private $80
  Private Full Day Instruction $260 (7 hrs & includes equipment)
  Additional Person for Private $130

Meet: Rocky Mountain Adventures for Poudre River Classes Mad Adventures for Colorado River Classes

Class Schedule:

Poudre River Classes Session Date and Time
On River Paddling Class - 1 June 6
8:30 – 3:30 pm
On River Paddling Class - 2 July 18
8:30 – 3:30 pm
On River Paddling Class - 3 July 26
8:30 – 3:30 pm
On River Paddling Class - 4 August 3
8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Colorado River Classes Session Date and Time
On River Paddling Class - 1 June 25
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
On River Paddling Class - 2 July 9
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
On River Paddling Class - 4 August 2
9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Book an On-River Paddling Class


TWO DAY FAST TRACK CLASS

Schedule doesn't permit you to take classes at your leisure? Want to speed up things and get on to whitewater right away? Then consider enrolling in this Two Day Fast Track program. By combining our kayak roll, paddling techniques, and on-river instruction into one intensive class, we will have you navigating fun rapids in short order. We offer this two-day class on the Poudre River and Upper Colorado River. Lunch is provided each day so we can optimize learning time. In addition to regularly scheduled group classes, private instruction is also available.

Season: Late May – August  
Cost: Scheduled 2 Day Instruction $220
  Equipment Rental $15
  Private 2 Day Instruction $480 (includes equipment)
  Additional Person for Private $240

Meet: Rocky Mountain Adventures for Poudre River Classes, Mad Adventures for Colorado River Classes

Poudre River Classes Session Date and Time
Two-Day Fast Track - 1 June 21 & 22
8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Two-Day Fast Track - 2 July 2 & 3
8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Two-Day Fast Track - 3 July 12 & 13
8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Two-Day Fast Track - 4 July 19 & 20
8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Two-Day Fast Track - 5 July 22 & 23
8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Two-Day Fast Track - 6 August 9 & 10
8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Colorado River Classes Session Date and Time
Two-Day Fast Track - 1 June 25 & 26
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Two-Day Fast Track - 2 July 14 & 15
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Two-Day Fast Track - 4 August 7 & 8
9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Book a Two-Day Fast Track Class


PRACTICE ROLL SESSIONS

This upcoming winter and spring, you can practice your Kayak Roll by signing up for one of our non-instructional practice sessions. These are approximately 1.5 hours in length, so you get plenty of time to refine your roll. They are held on Sundays from 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM at Mulberry Pool in Fort Collins. Sessions will begin again in 2009 and are held each Sunday during the winter months – Typically late January though April.

Season: Spring  
Cost: Individual Session $7.50
  Coupon Book for Five Sessions $35.00
  Equipment Rental Package $6.00

Meet: Mulberry Pool

Schedule:      Sundays from 3:30 – 5:30 pm

Book a Practice Roll Session


INFLATABLE KAYAK & SIT-ON-TOP KAYAK CLASSES

These classes are aimed at teaching you proper paddle strokes and whitewater techniques using an inflatable (duckie) or sit-on-top kayak. Typically, these kayaks are more stable than traditional style whitewater kayaks and thus, we skip teaching you how to roll these boats

The one-day class consists of a morning session on flat water aimed at getting you comfortable on the water. Concepts such as the paddler's box, range of movement, laws of motion, and physical conditioning are discussed. Specific attention is given to forward, sweep, reverse seep, and draw strokes along with low angle and high angle bracing.

Following the morning session, we provide you lunch before moving on to the river segment of instruction. The river session allows you to paddle on moving water and through rapids. You will learn the basics of boat handling and river safety. This course will teach you initial river reading skills and maneuvers like eddy turns, peel outs, and ferrying. We offer regularly scheduled group classes and private instruction.

Season: Late May – August  
Cost: Scheduled Group Instruction $130 (includes equipment)
  Private Half-Day Instruction $160 (3.5 hrs & includes equipment)
  Additional Person for Private $80
  Private Full-Day Instruction $260
  Additional Person for Private $130

Meet: Rocky Mountain Adventures for the Poudre River Mad Adventures for the Upper Colorado

Schedule:      Each Monday & Wednesday        June 8 – Late August

Book a Sit-on-top Class


Call us at 1.800.858.6808 for more information or to reserve your class. You can also book a class using our online booking agent. Click here for more information on our reservation and cancellation policy.