-The Gear- learning what it’s for, and how to wear it correctly.
-Kayak outfitting- getting to know your kayak’s features and how to properly fit in your kayak.
-The paddle- how to hold it and use it correctly on flat water.
-Basic Strokes and Concepts- learning to control your kayak on flat water with a few easy strokes. We will also cover kayaking concepts such as speed, angle, arc, and spin momentum.
-Bow rescues- using your buddy’s bow to upright yourself after a flip(in flat water).Introduction to the brace and roll- learning the mechanics of how the brace and roll (Eskimo roll) works using the ‘hip snap’ technique.
Beginner Lesson #2 :
Moving Water(takes up where lesson#1 left off)
The importance of the Brace – how to use your paddle to keep from flipping. The better your brace is- the less you roll!
Rolling- solidifying your ‘onside’ roll in flat water
Strokes and concepts- introducing you to more advanced strokes; the C-stroke, S-turns, compound strokes, and sprints to master control of your kayak.
Paddle dexterity- we will show you drills to help make your paddle an extension of your body.
Moving water skills and concepts: paddling on edge, ‘water reading’ skills, accurate use of speed, spin momentum, arc and boat angle to do common kayaking tasks such as peel-outs, ferrying, and catching eddys.
Beginner Lesson #3 :
Moving Water/Easy Whitewater (takes up where lesson #2 left off)
More Rolling- here is where we ‘bomb- proof’ your roll. We build your confidence in your roll through simulating ‘real life’ scenarios in flat water, then move onto moving current, and then easy whitewater- we work at your pace here.
We introduce you to class 2 whitewater
Water reading skills
More strokes and concepts (learned from lessons #1 and #2) to control your kayak in easy whitewater while executing basic river maneuvers such as ferrying, peel-outs, and catching eddy’s on the fly.
The ‘roll test’- rolling in class 2 whitewater. Here is where ‘the rubber meets the road’ as they say. Nothing builds confidence like getting your first “combat” roll. Your newly found confidence will give a sharp boost to your learning curve once you’ve had a breakthrough in this class!
SUPERSIZE IT ! With a Pool/River Combo Pack.
Get Two indoor or outdoor 2 hour pool lessons and the Beginner Series of three Lessons for just $415 (includes free membership into our weeknight paddling social club*).
Pool Rolling
year round!!!
We offer pool rolling packages during winter (indoor) and summer (outdoor pool). Purchase our “Instinctive roll” progression –package. Get three 2hr pool rolling lessons (indoor , outdoor, or combine the two) for just $180
SOCIAL CLUB
*What is our social club you ask? Our social club is a weeknight, informal paddling session where we meet up after work to paddle as a group to practice all our skills and just have fun together on the river. The sessions are two hours in length and take place across from the Old Anglers Inn. These sessions are offered up to twice per week form May through September and are free for those who purchase the beginner series of lessons. Anyone else may attend a session for just $20 if they have taken a beginner lesson previously. After each session, plan on hanging out across the street at the casual patio area of Old Anglers Restaurant for a bite to eat, a cold beer, and story swapping. It’s a great time, on and off the water, and you get to know your fellow paddlers better in the process- come join us and be social!
Private Lessons $75.00 per hour - call to sign up 301-840-7388
This is the ultimate in personalized instruction! Work one on one
with a VMKS instructor and quickly improve any aspect of your paddling
that you want to focus on. Refine your stroke technique, learn a new
rodeo move, or shave time off your upstream gates on the slalom course.
Private lessons can be scheduled for anytime.
