Kayak
Lessons
Beginner Kayaking Lessons in
Maryland on the Potomac & Shenandoah River near Harpers Ferry WV, &
Virginia.
We have 25 years of experience teaching people how to
kayak… Let our dedicated and enthusiastic instructors infect you with the
paddling bug!
Our kayak lessons are held on the nearby
Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers only one hour from Washington DC near Harpers
Ferry WV. These two rivers are perfectly suited for introducing people to the
enjoyable sport of kayaking… whether your interest is in recreational
kayaking on mellow water or whitewater kayaking on the more adventurous Class
I-III whitewater sections near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. River & Trail
has expanded its kayak lesson program to suit your needs! Starting 2011, you've
got more choices than ever before to find the program just for you.
Basic Recreational Kayak Lesson
Start with the very basics! Our two hour
lesson on calm water is designed for folks who have never been in a kayak
before and would like a short lesson on the basics, as well as families with
younger kids. This lesson is on a mellow stretch of the Shenandoah River where
eagles are sometimes sited! The lesson will launch and return to our on-water
property in Millville, WV.
|
Lesson will cover:
- Introduction to kayaks and basic
equipment
- Entering, exiting, and maneuvering the boat
- Basic paddle strokes
After the lesson, a variety of kayaks will be
available for you to practice your new found skills for up to two hours.
This makes a great family kayak lesson or youth group lesson with younger
kids. |
 |
Adults & Kids: $45.00
Add 5% amusement fee +
$2.00 user fee
Includes: instructor and all equipment
Available: Sat & Sun: 2pm-4pm. Weekdays, for groups of 4 or
more, time can be customized
Minimum age: 8 yrs.
Groups: Groups of 10 or more receive $5 off when
paying collectively. Non-profits should inquire about special pricing for
weekdays
"Just wanted to thank you for a wonderful kayak
experience. We were very impressed by your kindness and professional--you and
your operation do an outstanding job. Thanks again and keep up the good
work!"
Peace, Love, and Positivity, Dave and Maggie |
Discover Recreational Kayaking
 For those that have been
enticed by the idea of kayaking on a beach, a bay, a river, or a lake-this
lesson is for you! Moving beyond the basics, this half day lesson teaches you
the ins and outs of recreational kayaking so that you will comfortable going on
your own! With no prior experience necessary, this four hour kayak lesson is a
combination of an on-land and on-water session, perfect for those who have only
a half day to spare.
Dry Land Session will cover:
- Into to recreational kayaks, gear, clothing
- Basic trip planning and transportation of
kayaks
- River hazard detection & avoidance
- Water-reading techniques
Time to hit the water! You will use a stable
recreational kayak to maneuver your way on a mellow stretch of the Shenandoah
or Potomac River where you will learn:
- Four basic paddling strokes
- Wet exits & how to recover your boat
- River safety
- How to put your water-reading techniques to
use!
This is an inexpensive sampler of our more in depth Two
Day Recreational Kayaking School.
Adults & Kids: $69.52
Add 5% amusement fee +
$2.00 user fee
Includes: instructor and all equipment
Available:1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month 9am - 1pm ---
Weekdays, for groups of 4 or more, time can be customized
Minimum
age: 10 yrs.
Groups: Groups of 10 or more receive $5 off when
paying collectively Non-profits should inquire about special pricing
Discover Whitewater Kayaking
This lesson is designed for individuals who have
recreational kayaking experience or have an adventurous spirit to try
whitewater kayaking! The fun simply does not end on this Class I-III whitewater
run, paddling down the ledges and waves of this breath-taking section of the
Shenandoah or Potomac River near Harpers Ferry WV. On this three-four hour
lesson, you will comfortably learn how to maneuver in whitewater on our
Sit-on-Top Kayak!
|
The Dry Land Session will cover:
- Whitewater boats, hulls, & gear
- Entering/exiting
- River safety and signals
The On-Water Session will cover:
- Four basic paddling strokes
- Reading water
- Entering & exiting currents,
ferrying
- Wet exits & self rescue
|
 |
This is an inexpensive sampler of our Weekend White Water
Kayaking School(link)
Adults & Kids: $69.00 weekends & weekday am
$63 weekday pm (no food)
Add 5% amusement fee + $2.00 user fee
Includes: instructor, all equipment, shuttle transportation, picnic
lunch or dinner included on weekends and weekday mornings
Available:
weekends at 9am and 2:30pm, Weekdays at 10am and 2:45pm. Groups of 4 or more,
time can be customized
Minimum age: 12 yrs
Groups: Groups of 10 or more receive $5 off when
paying collectively. Non-profits should inquire about special pricing
Kayaking Sampler
|
Not sure what type of kayaking you'll enjoy most?
Have the best of both worlds on our kayak sampler. Begin with a four hour
recreational kayaking lesson on a mellow section of the Shenandoah or Potomac
River. Either that afternoon or the next morning, challenge yourself on Class
I-III whitewater on a sit-on-top kayak, paddling down the ledges and waves of a
breath-taking section of river by Harpers Ferry!
This sampler is a combination of our Discover
Recreational Kayaking and Discover Whitewater Kayaking Lessons.
|
 |
 |
Adults & Kids: $129
Add 5% amusement
fee + $2.00 user fee.
Includes: instructors and all equipment for
both trips
One day sampler: 1st & 3rd Saturdays of each
month Recreational kayaking 9am-1pm, whitewater kayaking 2 or 2:30pm
Two
day sampler: 1st & 3rd Saturday & Sunday of each month Recreational
kayaking Sat 9am-1pm, whitewater kayaking Sunday 9am
Minimum age: 12
yrs.
Groups: Groups of 10 or more receive 5% off when paying collectively
Non-profits should inquire about special pricing |
Private Kayak Lesson
This four hour lesson is available for individuals who can
not fit our regular lessons into their busy schedules, or folks who have their
own boats and are interested in a customized lesson covering specific elements,
or paddlers who just want a certified instructor to accompany them down a
specific stretch of river for instructional or safety purposes. To schedule
call 301-695-5177
Adults & Kids: $236.19
Add 5% amusement fee
+ $2.00 user fee
Includes: instructor and all equipment
Available: Time will be customized to suit the customers need
Minimum age: 10 yrs.
|
"Just wanted to thank you for
a wonderful kayak experience. We were very impressed by your kindness and
professionalism--you and your operation do an outstanding job. Thanks again and
keep up the good work!" Peace, Love, and Positivity, Dave and
Maggie. |
|
