Kayak Workshops
Whitewater Kayak Workshops
Looking to Improve Specific Skills to improve your kayaking?
Our kayak workshops are focused on helping you improve specialized skills on the river. From perfecting your roll to learning how to become a confident rescue boater on any level of whitewater. Check out the classes below to see which workshops are best for you.
We also offer custom workshops! You and your group share with the instructor what skills you want to learn and we build the workshop around you.
The “Challenge” Kayak Workshops
This series of specialized workshops is a great progression to assure your paddling skills are “going with the flow”. Kayaking is a series of challenges for so much of the sport. And sometimes a particular river or just a rapid/move on a river can be the challenge! Join us for a one-day session where we plunge right into your specific challenge so we can help you find the solution.
KAYAK ROLLING CHALLENGE
A 1/2 Day Workshop for those whose checklist goes something like this:
Pool roll? CHECK!
100% River Roll… not yet.
Why is the roll working so well in flat water, but not on the river? This is the session to work through the transition from flat water to moving water. A flat water roll is necessary for this session. And a great attitude for being upside down and enjoying it!
Dates:
Sunday, June 05
Sunday, June 19
Sunday, July 10
Sunday, July 24
Sunday, August 07
*Custom dates are always available for small groups
NANTAHALA FALLS KAYAK CHALLENGE
Needing some encouragement at the Falls? Looking to start running new lines through the Falls? We will start the day off with a talk about what makes Nantahala Falls more challenging, then head out for a day of tweaking technique and working the Falls.
Details: The workshop is open to everyone regardless of what skirt you wear! We do ask that you are comfortable running the Nantahala and have a roll that you at least feel confident trying – even if it does not always succeed at the Falls.
Dates: August 14
Custom Dates Always Available
KAYAK THE OCOEE CHALLENGE
Ferrying at Entrance intimidating? Catching eddies through Broken Nose enough to make you sneak? Running Double Suck? Ferrying below Double Trouble? Or…playing at Hell Hole? Let’s do it!
This workshop will not only help you stop going mental over something in particular, but will help you improve over-all river skills that will inherently make you a more confident boater
2022 Dates: August 22, September 11
*Custom Dates Available Summer long
any Thursday – Monday for individuals and Small Groups
Ocoee Secret Week
Finish out the Ocoee season with our week long option. You can join for one, two…up to ten days of Ocoee. fun Focus will be on really learning the river, exploring alternative lines, boofing and a special focus on slicey boat work on the best playboating river in the southeast!
Dates: September 24 – October 02
Kayak Slalom Workshop
Inspired by the skill of slalom boaters, we are committed to using slalom gates to improve paddling skills. A slalom boat is not needed – and in fact, we prefer you work in your go to boat. .
Dates: Sunday, March 20
Saturday, April 09
Sunday, May 21
Custom Dates Always Available
JUST FOR KIDS WORKSHOP
We have workshops for children! Check out the workshops for kids page to find out more.
KAYAK - BASED RESCUE RESCUE
Kayak-Based River Rescue
The kayak-based river rescue is for boaters whether or not you have taken Swift Water Rescue training. The emphasis is on boat-based rescue skills – everything from rope throwing to snags and tags to hand-of-gods will be taught over this one-day workshop. Following a format of simple to complex skills, the group will spend the day practicing the river rescue essentials that every boater should know. Team led by ERA’s international kayak guides and instructors.
2022 Dates: We encourage every kayaker to take this workshop! Put a group of 4 or more together and we can do it any day of the season for you. Please call to make arrangements for this specialized workshop.
Workshop Prices
Workshops are $145 Per Person
Included in the cost of your trip
Friendly Professionals
A smile when you walk through the door from all of our full-time river professionals. One of our hand-picked raft guides will be your personal coach during your rafting trip. We love sharing our passion for whitewater rafting with you.
All Equipment
We provide the essential equipment you will need for the day. In addition to the five essentials needed to kayak(boat, sprayskirt, PFD, paddle & helmet) we also offer wetsuits and paddle jackets to assure your comfort on the water. The only items you will need are a pair of nose clips and some kind of shoes (sandals, water socks, etc.), as well as water and lunch to keep your energy going for the day.
Shuttle
Transportation of you, your instructor and all your equipment is included in the price of instruction. With private instruction, we offer a mileage discount to those who come equipped with a shuttle – ready vehicle.
Check our Plan Your Trip page for a link to waivers, directions to the river, and a trip prep checklist.
Make Your Reservation Today
828.488.6199
We offer kayak instruction year round, seven days a week. Full day and half-day options are available. Call us at 828-488-6199 or reserve your trip specifics today. Please call with any questions you may have regarding instruction, as well as to reserve the dates that are best for you.
Special Group rates and custom day itineraries are available. If you are the planner for special group, please call us for assistance with the logistics of your trip planning.
Payment Policy:
We ask that all reservations be paid in advance. Full payment is due 14 days before the trip. Payment may be made by check or credit card. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
Our instruction courses go rain or shine! Cancellations more than 14 days in advance receive a 100% refund. Any reservation cancelled less than 14 days before the trip is ineligible for a refund.