Fundamental Focus courses are built on perfecting whitewater kayaking fundamentals and dialing in specific techniques in a non-intimidating class II environment.

Instructor ratio: 4 students to 1 instructor

Skill prerequisites: Intro to Kayaking Lesson or Package, or basic whitewater kayaking experience

Course Duration: Saturdays 10:30am - 12:30pm

Course Dates and Topics:

• May 30: Perfecting Peels Outs, Ferries, and Eddy Turns
• June 13: Employing Cross Current Momentum
• July 11: Perfecting Peels Outs, Ferries, and Eddy Turns
• August 1: Utilizing Stern Draws
• August 22: Perfecting Peels Outs, Ferries, and Eddy Turns
• September 12: Effective Back Paddling
• September 26: Introduction to Jet Ferries
• October 10: Controlling and utilizing Buoyancy Energy

Cancellation Policy:

All reservation and lesson booking fees are non-refundable. If you need to reschedule, please provide a minimum of 48 hours advance notice. Requests to reschedule a lesson with less than 48 hours of advance notice will be subject to a 20% rescheduling fee.

For more information, contact the Kayak Center at 704.391.3900 ext. 195 or at kayak@usnwc.org.

Two-Day Kayaking 101 is ideal for participants who are ready to give whitewater kayaking a try over the course of two full days. 

Instructor ratio: 3 students to 1 instructor

Skill prerequisites: None

Cancellation Policy:

All reservation and lesson booking fees are non-refundable. If you need to reschedule, please provide a minimum of 48 hours advance notice. Requests to reschedule a lesson with less than 48 hours of advance notice will be subject to a 20% rescheduling fee.

For more information, contact the Kayak Center at 704.391.3900 ext. 195 or at kayak@usnwc.org.

Course Dates:

• September 5 - 6 - Sold Out
• September 19 - 20
• October 3 -4

Kayaking 201 picks up where the Kayaking 101 class/Intro to Kayaking Package leaves off and helps students take the next step in their whitewater progression. 

Instructor ratio: 3 students to 1 instructor

Skill prerequisites: Two-Day Kayaking – 101, Intro to Kayaking Package, or equivalent (experience in at least class II whitewater and a flatwater roll)

Cancellation Policy:

All reservation and lesson booking fees are non-refundable. If you need to reschedule, please provide a minimum of 48 hours advance notice. Requests to reschedule a lesson with less than 48 hours of advance notice will be subject to a 20% rescheduling fee.

For more information, contact the Kayak Center at 704.391.3900 ext. 195 or at kayak@usnwc.org.

Course Dates:

• June 13 - 14
• July 18 - 19
• August 15 - 16
• September 26 - 27

Kayaking 301 builds upon the Kayaking 201 class and cements your skills as a class III paddler. During this course students will be introduced to advanced river-running techniques, surfing, and basic swiftwater rescue.

Instructor ratio: 3 students to 1 instructor

Skill prerequisites: Two-Day Kayaking – 201, or equivalent (proficient class II-II+ kayaking skills and a flatwater roll)

Cancellation Policy:

All reservation and lesson booking fees are non-refundable. If you need to reschedule, please provide a minimum of 48 hours advance notice. Requests to reschedule a lesson with less than 48 hours of advance notice will be subject to a 20% rescheduling fee.

For more information, contact the Kayak Center at 704.391.3900 ext. 195 or at kayak@usnwc.org.

Course Dates:

• August 1 - 2
• September 12 - 13

Designed to introduce participants to whitewater kayaking and then quickly develop their skills, the Five-Day Intro to Kayaking class is the most comprehensive way to enter the sport of whitewater kayaking. 

Instructor ratio: 3 students to 1 instructor

Skill prerequisites: None

Cancellation Policy:

All reservation and lesson booking fees are non-refundable. If you need to reschedule, please provide a minimum of 48 hours advance notice. Requests to reschedule a lesson with less than 48 hours of advance notice will be subject to a 20% rescheduling fee.

For more information, contact the Kayak Center at 704.391.3900 ext. 195 or at kayak@usnwc.org.

Course Dates:

• June 22 - June 26
• July 13 - July 17
• August 3 - August 7

Introduction Spring/Fall Camp initiates kids to whitewater kayaking, as well as continue to develop the skills of previous campers.

Instructor ratio: 3 students to 1 instructor

Skill prerequisites: Must be comfortable swimming

Ages: 10 – 18

Duration: Three Saturdays, 1pm – 5pm

Cancellation Policy:

All reservation and lesson booking fees are non-refundable. If you need to reschedule, please provide a minimum of 48 hours advance notice. Requests to reschedule a lesson with less than 48 hours of advance notice will be subject to a 20% rescheduling fee.

For more information, contact the Kayak Center at 704.391.3900 ext. 195 or at kayak@usnwc.org.

Course Dates:

• May 8, May 15, May 22
• September 12, September 19, September 26

Whitewater Kayak Camp I is a full day camp that will introduce your child to whitewater kayaking in a comfortable and encouraging environment. Working with our experienced instructors throughout the week, campers will learn how to competently paddle class II whitewater while also learning how to work together as a group on the river. 

Prerequisites

Must be between 10 – 18 years old. Must be comfortable swimming.

Camp Dates

• June 1 - 5
• June 8 - 12
• June 15 - 19
• June 22 - 26
• June 29 - July 3
• July 6 - 10
• July 13 - 17
• July 20 - 24
• July 27 - 31
• August 3 - 7
• August 10 - 14
• August 17 - 21

Spring and Fall Development Camp expands the knowledges and skills of kids who have already learned the basics of whitewater kayaking.

Instructor ratio: 4 students to 1 instructor

Skill prerequisites:Must have completed an Intro Camp (Summer or Spring/Fall), or have experience paddling class II whitewater and rolling

Ages: 10 – 18

Duration: Three Saturdays, 1pm – 5pm

Cancellation Policy:

All reservation and lesson booking fees are non-refundable. If you need to reschedule, please provide a minimum of 48 hours advance notice. Requests to reschedule a lesson with less than 48 hours of advance notice will be subject to a 20% rescheduling fee.

For more information, contact the Kayak Center at 704.391.3900 ext. 195 or at kayak@usnwc.org.

Course Dates:

• October 3rd, 10th, and 17th

Whitewater Kayak Camp II is a full day camp designed to further develop the skills learned in either Spring, Summer, or Fall Kayak Camp. Each day campers will be presented with new challenges as they learn to independently navigate the river under the guidance of our instructors. 

Prerequisites

• Must be between 10 – 18 years old
• Must have completed Rock, Ride, and Paddle Camp I or Intro Camp (Summer or Spring/Fall), or have experience paddling class II whitewater and rolling
• Must be able to hike on moderate terrain carrying a kayak weighing up to 50 pounds.

Camp Dates

• June 15 - 19
• July 6 - 10
• July 20 - 24
• August 3 - 7
• August 17 - 21

Advanced Spring and Fall Kayak Camps are designed to rapidly develop the skills of campers who already have a reliable roll. 

Instructor ratio: 4 students to 1 instructor

Skill prerequisites: Must have completed Spring/Fall or Summer Development Camp or have experience paddling class III whitewater;  must have a reliable combat roll (minimum 8 successful rolls in 10 attempts in whitewater)

Ages: 10 – 18

Duration: Three Days, 1pm – 5pm (4 hours each)

Cancellation Policy:

All reservation and lesson booking fees are non-refundable. If you need to reschedule, please provide a minimum of 48 hours advance notice. Requests to reschedule a lesson with less than 48 hours of advance notice will be subject to a 20% rescheduling fee.

For more information, contact the Kayak Center at 704.391.3900 ext. 195 or at kayak@usnwc.org.

Course Dates:

• October 3rd, October 10th, October 17th

Whitewater Kayak Camp III is a full day camp experience that will fine tune your camper’s kayaking skills while challenging them to develop more advanced techniques at an accelerated pace. These skills, maneuvers, and river knowledge will allow them to enhance their whitewater paddling experience by opening up new ways to enjoy a variety of rivers. Advanced Whitewater Kayak Campers will also learn rescue techniques that will teach them how to handle adversity on the river. 

Prerequisites

• Must be between 10 – 18 years old
• Must have completed Spring/Fall or Summer Development Camp or have experience paddling class III whitewater
• Must have a reliable combat roll (minimum 8 successful rolls in 10 attempts in whitewater)
• Must be able to hike on moderate terrain carrying a kayak weighing up to 50 pounds.

Camp Dates

• June 22 - 26
• July 13 - 17
• July 27 - 31
• August 10 - 14

After learning the basics in one of our Kayak Camps, Youth Development weekly group sessions provide young paddlers the oppourtunity to improve their skills while meeting other paddlers their age. The content for each week’s session is based on the students that are enrolled, tailoring the skills and techniques to their needs.

Instructor ratio: 4 students to 1 instructor

Skill prerequisites: Must have completed an Intro Camp (Summer or Spring/Fall), or have experience paddling class II whitewater and rolling

Ages: 10 - 18

Duration: Saturdays, 10am - 12pm

Cancellation Policy:

All reservation and lesson booking fees are non-refundable. If you need to reschedule, please provide a minimum of 48 hours advance notice. Requests to reschedule a lesson with less than 48 hours of advance notice will be subject to a 20% rescheduling fee.

For more information, contact the Kayak Center at 704.391.3900 ext. 195 or at kayak@usnwc.org.

Learn the basics for paddling on dynamic water, including basic SUP stances, strokes, and recovery techniques.

Instructor Ratio: 3 students to 1 instructor

Skill Prerequisites: Previous Stand-Up Paddleboarding experience

Duration: 1.5 hours (11:00am – 12:30pm)

Cancellation Policy:

All reservation and lesson booking fees are non-refundable. If you need to reschedule, please provide a minimum of 48 hours advance notice. Requests to reschedule a lesson with less than 48 hours of advance notice will be subject to a 20% rescheduling fee.

For more information, contact the Kayak Center at 704.391.3900 ext. 195 or at kayak@usnwc.org.

Course Dates:

• May 2
• May 30
• June 13
• July 18
• August 1
• August 15
• August 29
• September 12
• September 26

Youth Advanced Sessions are weekly sessions focusing on a specific topic appropriate for youth paddlers who already have a reliable roll. 

Instructor ratio: 4 students to 1 instructor

Skill prerequisites: Must have completed Spring/Fall or Summer Development Camp or have experience paddling class III whitewater; must have a reliable combat roll (minimum 8 successful rolls in 10 attempts in whitewater)

Course Schedule: Saturdays, 10:30am - 12:30pm

Course Dates:

• May 9: Stern Squirts
• May 16: Water and Rock Boofs
• May 23: Freestyle: How to Loop
• June 13: Slalom: Up Gates
• June 20: Freestyle: How to Bow Stall/Flatwater Cartwheel
• July 11: Freestyle: How to Loop

Specifically focused on making your roll more reliable, this class is designed to dial in your rolling technique. Whether you’re struggling to hit your first roll or are stuck at a 50/50 success rate, instructors will work with you to diagnose the issue and develop a plan to help you fix it.

Instructor ratio: 4 students to 1 instructor

Skill prerequisites: Must have previous experience rolling a whitewater kayak

Course Schedule: Saturdays, 10:30am - 12:30pm

Course Dates:

• May 23
• June 6
• June 20
• July 25
• August 15
• August 29
• September 19
• October 3