Renaissance Adventure Guides

Beginner Kayaking

Lessons 1-2 Introduction to Kayaking Series

Prerequisites: Able to swim and have fun

Price: $229/person (a $20 savings off of our single day pricing)
5:1 student to instructor ratio
Minimum of 3 students needed to run this lesson

If you have a weekend and want to learn how to river kayak this is the course for you.   The 2 Day Beginner River Kayaking Series starts in the lake where you will learn all the basics needed to kayak safely.  Here you will learn about the different parts of a kayak and the performance characteristics that separate one kayak from another.  Spend the morning working on the wet exit (how to safely get out of the kayak while under water), basic paddle strokes, and start into bracing strokes and the hip snap.  Relax and stretch in the sun to enjoy your lunch.  The afternoon is spent reviewing bracing and hip snaps, followed by a clinic on how to roll your boat.  After an enjoyable day on the lake, spend day 2 running a river.  During this class you learn all the basics of maneuvering down a river safely and in control.   We start by discussing hydrology and safety concerns and then move onto river skills.  You will learn how to ferry, peel out and catch eddies.  By the end of the day you will know how to get down a river in a fun and controlled manner.  The river portion of this class is intended to take place on the South Platte from Chatfield State Park (C-470) to Centennial Park (Union Blvd.) OR the Colorado River near Glenwood CO.

Itinerary
Day 1 – Introduction to river kayaking (Lake Lesson #1)
Introduction & Logistics
Equipment
Wet exit
Three Fundamentals
Strokes (Sweep, forward and stern draw)
Maneuvering
Hip snaps
T-rescue
Brace
Roll

Day 2 – Beginner River Kayaking (River Lesson #2)
Introduction & Logistics
Equipment
Hydrology
River Safety
Maneuvering
Eddy turn
Ferry
Peel out
Swimming
Boat recovery
Recommended Gear List
Please bring the same personal equipment as you would wear to the beach: 
•Sunscreen
•Sunglasses with retention strap (Croakies, etc.)
•Something to get wet in (swimsuit)
•Wetsuit booties or river sandals (must stay on when you swim)
•A hat
•Lots of water
•Large lunch (food may be transported down the river in a dry bag)
•Warm dry clothing for when you are off the water
•Underarmer, fleece or other synthetic clothing (not containing cotton)

This lesson includes all the kayaking gear you will need including a boat, paddle, skirt, PFD, helmet, splash jacket, wetsuit and booties.   If you have your own equipment, we encourage you to bring it since it is most likely what you will be using outside this lesson.
 
Location and Dates
You can combine one Lake Day (Boulder Reservoir or Chatfield Reservoir) and one River Day (South Platte River in Denver or Colorado River near Glenwood Springs).

Chatfield Reservoir - Day 1 South Platte River - Day 2
Saturday, June 04, 2011 Sunday, June 05, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011 Sunday, June 12, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011 Sunday, June 19, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011 Sunday, June 26, 2011
Saturday, July 09, 2011 Sunday, July 10, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011 Sunday, July 17, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011 Sunday, July 24, 2011

Boulder Reservoir - Day 1 Colorado River - Day 2
Friday, June 03, 2011 Saturday, June 04, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011 Saturday, June 18, 2011
Friday, July 01, 2011 Saturday, July 02, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011 Saturday, July 16, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011 Saturday, July 30, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011 Saturday, August 13, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011 Saturday, August 27, 2011

*NOTE:  Classes on the South Platte River are water level dependent.  If levels are too low for boating, class will move to the Colorado River Glenwood dates.

For class sizes smaller than 3 people, private rates are available.  Or get 4 or more people together and we will run a trip on the dates of your choice schedule permitting. 

Call (303) 988-2943 or email info@raguides.com  so we can customize your dates. Office hours are Mon-Fri, 10am to 4pm.

Cancellation (Refund) Policy

Lessons 1-2 Introduction to Kayaking Series on Chatfield Res. and South Platte River

Lessons 1-2 Introduction to Kayaking Series on Boulder Res. and Colorado River

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