Welcome!

First things first, this is where we teach you the basic skills that create the foundation for the rest of your paddling career. The setting is calm flat water of the scenic Chatfield Reservoir looking out at the beautiful Front Range. We emphasize safe practices using whitewater kayaking equipment and teach you how to use it comfortably. At the end of this class you will be familiar and competent with basic paddling skills and equipment and ready for the classes on the Colorado River. Lessons run rain or shine, so check out our recommended gear list for suggestions on what to bring to be prepared.

Boat, paddle, skirt, PFD, and wetsuit jacket are provided during the lesson.

No prerequisites, although comfort in water is helpful. Must be 12 or older. Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Additional information is provided during the booking process.

Location, Dates, and Times: Offered alternating weekends on EITHER Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays

This intro class begins at 8:00am to guarantee parking. All other classes begin at 9am.

There is a $10 entrance fee to enter the state park unless you have an annual state park pass. Please plan for admission to the park to take some time.

Chatfield Reservoir, Chatfield State Park, Littleton, CO
Classes with fewer than 3 individuals will be rescheduled to another day.  

Get a taste for whitewater and beautiful scenery, on the Colorado River. With the beautiful sandstone canyon walls as a backdrop, learn about hydrology, river features, and how to maneuver your kayak through the current with eddy turns, ferries and peel-outs. The skills you learn here will help you to kayak through the rapids, avoid hazards, and keep you safe. By the end of the day, you will have paddled class I - II rapids and be able to paddle similar water on your own.

Lessons run rain or shine, so check out our recommended gear list for suggestions on what to bring to be prepared.  Please know that these classes are cumulative and must be taken sequentially. The prerequisite for the class is Introduction to River Kayaking. If you have taken whitewater kayaking specific classes from other outfitters, please call the office prior to booking. Whitewater rafting or canoeing experience does not translate to directly to whitewater kayaking.

Boat, paddle, skirt, PFD, helmet, booties, and wetsuit jacket are provided during the lesson.

Must be 12 or older. Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Additional information is provided during the booking process.

Location, Dates, and Times: Offered Saturdays

This class begins at 9am at Dotsero Landing in Dotsero, CO.

Classes with fewer than 3 individuals will be rescheduled to another day.  

Lock it in. This course is intended to take what you learned the first river day on the river (lesson #2), ferrying, eddy turns, peel outs, etc. and solidify it. This class steps it up a notch and typically paddles through the stunning Glenwood Canyon near Glenwood Springs, Colorado. In addition, we add to your knowledge base more advanced and fun river running skills such as using the current to your advantage, more challenging eddies and ferries, and surfing. At the end of the day you will be well on your way to paddling class III rapids.

Lessons run rain or shine, so check out our recommended gear list for suggestions on what to bring to be prepared. Please know that these classes are cumulative and must be taken sequentially. The prerequisite for the class is Introduction to River Kayaking and Fundamentals of River Kayaking. If you have taken whitewater kayaking specific classes from other outfitters, please call the office prior to booking. Whitewater rafting or canoeing experience does not translate to directly to whitewater kayaking.

Boat, paddle, skirt, PFD, helmet, booties, and wetsuit jacket are provided during the lesson. 

Must be 12 or older. Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Additional information is provided during the booking process.

Location, Dates, and Times: Offered Sundays

Class begins at 9am at South Canyon Boat Ramp and ends around 3pm.

Classes with fewer than 3 individuals will be rescheduled to another day.  

For the excited and adventurous paddler, it's time to push your ability to the next level, and hone your skills to do it safely. We start by perfecting the harder peel outs and ferries into micro eddies and go into greater depth of technique and theory. You will learn the basics of swift water rescue and advanced safety. During this class, we will practice swimming in rapids, the use of a throwback, how to rescue swimmers and equipment, and how to take care of yourself when things are not going as planned. You can expect to feel safer and more competent in class III water following the class.

Lessons run rain or shine, so check out our recommended gear list for suggestions on what to bring to be prepared. Please know that these classes are cumulative and must be taken sequentially. The prerequisite for the class is Introduction to River Kayaking, Fundamentals of River Kayaking, and River Kayaking. If you have taken whitewater kayaking specific classes from other outfitters, please call the office prior to booking. Whitewater rafting or canoeing experience does not translate to directly to whitewater kayaking.

Boat, paddle, skirt, PFD, helmet, booties, and wetsuit jacket are provided during the lesson. 

Must be 12 or older. Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. 

Additional information is provided during the booking process.

Location, Dates, and Times: Offered Saturdays

Class begins at 9am at Doterso Landing and ends around 3pm.

Classes with fewer than 3 individuals will be rescheduled to another day.  

For the committed paddler, we're going to take you all the way. This is where it all comes together, water, skills and safety. The river trip will be run by the students while a highly qualified instructor facilitates good decision making skills. The course will begin by students figuring out all the logistics and then they will work through all aspects of doing a river trip on their own.  When you think you have it all figured out the instructor will present you with a rescue scenario to figure out. After this class you should feel comfortable paddling class III rapids and designing your own river adventures.

Lessons run rain or shine, so check out our recommended gear list for suggestions on what to bring to be prepared. Please know that these classes are cumulative and must be taken sequentially. The prerequisite for the class is Introduction to River Kayaking, Fundamentals of River Kayaking, River Kayaking, and Essentials of River Safety and Rescue. If you have taken whitewater kayaking specific classes from other outfitters, please call the office prior to booking. Whitewater rafting or canoeing experience does not translate to directly to whitewater kayaking.

Boat, paddle, skirt, PFD, helmet, booties, and wetsuit jacket are provided during the lesson. 

Must be 12 or older. Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Additional information is provided during the booking process.

Location, Dates, and Times: Offered Sundays

Class begins at 9am and ends around 3pm. Location to be chosen by class participants during lesson #4. Please call the office if you don't book your lessons 4 and 5 together.

Classes with fewer than 3 individuals will be rescheduled to another day.  

Open up another whole world of kayaking. Touring in a kayak is one of the most exciting ways to explore the world. Whether you want to paddle around the lakes of Colorado, small islands in the Caribbean or the inside passage of Alaska sea kayaking is the way to go. Enjoy a day at Chatfield State Park trying your hand at sea kayaking. Start the day of learning how to choose a kayak, outfitting the boat, essential safety items, and their usage.  Then it is off to the water to learn the fundamental paddle strokes needed to get around efficiently.  After lunch, the focus is on self-rescue techniques, navigation and how to plan for a sea kayaking adventure.  You don't need an ocean to be a sea kayaker - any lake will do and we have plenty of them right here in your Colorado back yard. This class will teach you the necessary skills you need to enjoy this intimate, low impact form of travel.

Lessons run rain or shine, so check out our recommended gear list for suggestions on what to bring to be prepared.

 
Boat, paddle, skirt, PFD, helmet, booties, and wetsuit jacket are provided during the lesson. 

There are no prerequisites for this class; however, it is helpful to be comfortable floating in a PFD for kayak re-entries.

Must be 12 or older. Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.   

Additional information is provided during the booking process. 

Location, Dates, and Times: Offered Sundays

Class begins at 8am and ends around 2pm.

Classes with fewer than 3 individuals will be rescheduled to another day.