NEW for 2010-Check out our new sit on top kayak trips on our trips page!
The Beginner Series: : Lessons 1, 2, and 3 You have the option of purchasing 1, 2, or all three of these introductory lessons that focus on all the basic fundamental skills needed to give you a solid foundation on which to launch you into the amazing world of kayaking. Whether you ultimately intend to just paddle easy flowing rivers, or ‘go big’ and run class 4 and 5 whitewater- this is where it all begins! Lesson #1 is on flat water, Lesson #2-flat water to moving current, and Lesson #3- moving current/easy whitewater . These are our introductory courses designed for beginners/novices. Each class is 3 hours in length and all kayaks and gear are provided for all lessons. Price: $105 per class.
Purchase all three Lessons for $295 and receive an instant free membership in our weekly paddling social club*! Or you can attend any paddling club session for just $20 if you prefer to purchase each lesson separately. When you purchase the series you can take all the time you need to complete all three lessons, while attending the social club sessions all season. Doing this will provide you with the three most important elements to improving your paddling:
- Time in your boat
- Time in your boat
- Time in your boat
Beginner Lesson#1 Never been in a kayak before? No problem! We cover all the basics to get you started and our goal is to make sure you take the sport as far as you want to go. Topics covered in this class include: -The Gear- learning what it’s for, and how to wear it correctly. -Kayak outfitting- getting to know your kayak’s features and how to properly fit in your kayak. -The paddle- how to hold it and use it correctly on flat water. -Basic Strokes and Concepts- learning to control your kayak on flat water with a few easy strokes. We will also cover kayaking concepts such as speed, angle, arc, and spin momentum. -Bow rescues- using your buddy’s bow to upright yourself after a flip(in flat water).Introduction to the brace and roll- learning the mechanics of how the brace and roll (Eskimo roll) works using the ‘hip snap’ technique.
Beginner lessons take place on the Potomac River between May 1st and the end of Sept.
Call to sign up! (301)840-7388
Beginner Lesson #2 : Moving Water(takes up where lesson#1 left off) The importance of the Brace – how to use your paddle to keep from flipping. The better your brace is- the less you roll! Rolling- solidifying your ‘onside’ roll in flat water Strokes and concepts- introducing you to more advanced strokes; the C-stroke, S-turns, compound strokes, and sprints to master control of your kayak. Paddle dexterity- we will show you drills to help make your paddle an extension of your body. Moving water skills and concepts: paddling on edge, ‘water reading’ skills, accurate use of speed, spin momentum, arc and boat angle to do common kayaking tasks such as peel-outs, ferrying, and catching eddys. Call to sign up! (301)840-7388
Beginner Lesson #3 : Moving Water/Easy Whitewater (takes up where lesson #2 left off) More Rolling- here is where we ‘bomb- proof’ your roll. We build your confidence in your roll and brace through simulating ‘real life’ scenarios in flat water, then move onto moving current, and then easy whitewater- we work at your pace here. We introduce you to class 2 whitewater Water reading skills More strokes and concepts (learned from lessons #1 and #2) to control your kayak in easy whitewater while executing basic river maneuvers such as ferrying, peel-outs, and catching eddy’s on the fly. The ‘roll test’- rolling in class 2 whitewater. Here is where ‘the rubber meets the road’ as they say. Nothing builds confidence like getting your first “combat” roll. Your newly found confidence will give a sharp boost to your learning curve once you’ve had a breakthrough in this class!
Call to sign up! (301)840-7388
SUPERSIZE IT ! With a Pool/River Combo Pack. Get Two indoor lessons and the Beginner Series of three Lessons for just $415 (includes free membership into our weeknight paddling social club*).
Pool Rolling year round!!! We offer pool rolling packages during winter (indoor) and summer (outdoor pool). Purchase our “Instinctive roll” progression –package. Get three 2hr pool rolling lessons (indoor , outdoor, or combine the two) for just $180-call to sign up!
SOCIAL CLUB *What is our social club you ask? Our social club is a weeknight, informal paddling session where we meet up after work to paddle as a group to practice all our skills and just have fun together on the river under the supervision of a VMKS instructor. The sessions are two hours in length and take place across from the Old Anglers Inn. These sessions are offered up to twice per week from May through September and are free for those who purchase the beginner series of lessons. Anyone else may attend a session for just $30 if they have taken a beginner lesson previously- and sessions are free to those with their own kayak and gear. After each session, plan on hanging out at the Hunter’s Inn in Potomac Village for a bite to eat, a cold beer, and story swapping. It’s a great time, on and off the water, and you get to know your fellow paddlers better in the process- come join us and be social! Call to sign up! (301)840-7388
Social Nights: Sat(5-7pm), and Sun(5-7pm, if Sat is full)-call or email to sign up!
Private Lessons Available any day of the week for $75.00 per hour - call to sign up 301-840-7388 This is the ultimate in personalized instruction! Work one on one with a VMKS instructor and quickly improve any aspect of your paddling that you want to focus on. Refine your stroke technique, learn a new rodeo move, or shave time off your upstream gates on the slalom course. Private lessons can be scheduled for anytime.
IMPORTANT: Our Cancellation Policy
We do NOT give refunds on any lesson or lesson packages purchased. If we cancel a lesson, due to high river levels, or inclement weather, we will issue a make-up date, according to availability on our schedule. We do not give refunds for any reason whatsoever. We will issue a credit towards future lessons, if needed, but no refunds will be given.
You may transfer your lesson, or lesson package to someone else, but they must meet eligibility requirements prior to taking any lesson.
If you need to reschedule or cancel your lesson, we require proper advance notice. You must contact us by close of business at least 48hrs prior to your lesson start time. For example;If your lesson is on a Saturday, and you wish to reschedule, you MUST contact us by 6pm on the Wednesday before your lesson. Failure to give sufficient notice, or not showing up for your lesson, is considered a “no-show” and you will forfeit your lesson and not be given a refund= NO EXCEPTIONS !!! If you cancel with proper notice, you may reschedule according to availability on our schedule.
If you have any question whatsoever considering our policy, please don’t hesitate to call us! (301)840-7388
Thank You
