Kayak Lessons
River Town Adventures is proud to support and promote safe and fun adventures on the water. We have ACA certified instructors available to help you learn the skills needed to get you out on your adventure safely and paddling with confidence. Whether you want to just learn the basics of paddling or want to take your skills to the next level in lake, river or ocean kayaking, we have the perfect course for you!
Course Offerings
Level 1: Basics of Kayaking
Sign up for this class is you are new to the sport of kayaking & just want to get your feet wet. This 4 hour course will teach you to handle your boat safely, efficiently & confidently. You will learn the strokes, strategies and maneuvers to paddle rivers & lakes safely so you can enjoy the wonderful sport of kayaking whereever you want confidently.
Level 2R: Basics of River Kayaking
Sign up for this class is you are relatively new to the sport of kayaking & have some skills that you want to improve on. This 4 hour course will teach you to handle your boat safely, efficiently & confidently in class 1 rivers like we have around the Lansing area. You will learn the strokes, strategies & maneuvers to paddle our local rivers safely & confidently. Learn to spot the risks & hazards that can arise on the river so you can experience the joys of exploring rivers with safety & confidence.
Level 2R: Basics of Lake Kayaking
Sign up for this class is you are relatively new to the sport of kayaking & have some skills that you want to improve on. This 4 hour course will teach you to handle your boat safely, efficiently & confidently the thousands of lakes that we have around the great state of Michigan. You will learn the strokes, strategies & maneuvers to paddle our lakes safely & confidently. Learn to spot the risks & hazards that can arise on lakes so you can experience the joys of exploring Michigan's Rivers with safety & confidence.
Level 3R: Intermediate River Kayaking
Sign up for this class is you are relatively experienced in the sport of kayaking but want to level up your skills in preparation for whitewater rivers. This full day course will teach you to handle your boat safely, efficiently and confidently in "class 1 & 2" style rivers You will learn the strokes, strategies & maneuvers to paddle our faster rivers safely & confidently. Learn to spot the risks and hazards that can arise on faster, challenging rivers so you can experience the joys of exploring fast moving, winding rivers with safety & confidence.
Level 3L: Intermediate Lake Kayaking
Sign up for this class is you are relatively experienced in the sport of kayaking but want to level up your skills in preparation for lake kayaking trips. This full day course will teach you to handle your boat safely, efficiently and confidently on potentially bumpy lake conditions like Michigan's Great Lakes. You will learn the strokes, strategies, rescue techniques & maneuvers to paddle our beautiful lakes safely & confidently. Learn to spot the risks and hazards that can arise on windy, bumpy, challenging days on the lakes so you can experience the joys of exploring Michigan's thousands of lakes, including the Great Lakes!
Level 4: Rolling a Kayak
One of the more advanced skills that is the regarded as the best "self rescue" technique of them all. Rolling is a challenging skill to learn & is only attained by those dedicated to the craft of kayaking. This course will get you on the water, below the water & with patience, back on top of the water. Many learn to roll in one session, others need multiple sessions to attain & refine the skill of rolling a kayak. Rolling is a skill that is not a one time "yup, got it" technique, but is a skilled mastered and refined over the life of the paddler. Potentially it's the skill that can even extend your life as a paddler.
Want to learn more about the anatomy of kayaks? Check out this article about the differences between sit in and sit on top kayaks.