- Private Lessons
- Class I-II Rapids
- 10+
- Full Day
This beginner kayaking clinic offers children ages 10-13 a chance to learn whitewater kayaking in a fun and relaxed environment designed just for them.
Quick Details
Kayak with Your Family
Family kayaking clinics are a great way for families to learn kayaking in Massachusetts, get outside and also spend time together. Our family kayaking clinics are appropriate for children between 10 and 16 and one or both parents. The goal of this clinic is to introduce the sport of whitewater canoeing or kayaking and teach the basic techniques for safe paddling. For those with prior kayaking experience, we can progress past the basics of paddling to meet your individual goals.
Using a games-oriented approach, we teach the basic maneuvers on flatwater before transitioning to moving water and then on to whitewater kayaking. You learn essential river moves including eddy turns, peel outs and ferries together as a family.
Often after introducing the sport and the equipment, we get our first taste of the boats in the security of a pond where we can practice exiting and leaning the kayak and learn the basic strokes, including sweep strokes, forward strokes, draws, and braces. Once people are comfortable in the boats, we head to moving water where we introduce river maneuvers such as the eddy turn, peel out, and ferry. On the second day, we continue to work on river maneuvers, and we end by running a several-mile-long, Class I-II section of river.
More Information
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To take this course you should be in reasonable physical condition, be comfortable in the water, and have an interest in paddling.
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Wear items such as:
- synthetic long underwear, garments made of polypropylene, Capilene, or some polyester/spandex blend
- fleece or wool socks
- bathing suit
- fleece or wool jacket/sweater (early/late season or if you tend to chill easily)
Other items to bring:
- sunscreen
- sunglasses
- retaining strap for glasses
- nose plugs
- towel
- required medications
- extra money for snacks, T-shirts, or coin-operated showers
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- boat
- wetsuit
- paddle jacket
- booties
- life jacket
- helmet
- paddle
- sprayskirt
If you own your own equipment, we suggest you use it in the clinic to get used to its quirks.
We provide a catered picnic-style lunch on all our clinics. Typical lunches include homemade rolls, sliced turkey, ham or other meats, sliced cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, chips, salsa, hummus, pasta or other salad, cookies or other dessert and hot and cold drinks.
The following statement is required by state law: “Before placing your order, please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.”
We do not use nuts in our food, but can not guarantee that the ingredients in our meals do not contain nuts or other food allergens. If you have food allergies or other special dietary needs, we strongly suggest you bring your own bag lunch in non-glass containers and we will pack it with the other lunches on your trip. Please inform our office at 413-339-4010 or [email protected] if you intend to do this.