Kayak courses for a Noob

**kneisslskier** · 05-25-2006, 06:30 PM

Does anybody have any pointers for a noob looking to learn to whitewater kayak? I live in Sacramento, so the South Fork of the American River is close by. Any tips on what courses to take or what organizations to take a course with? Any advice would be appreciated.

**cloudpeak** · 05-25-2006, 08:05 PM

At Coloma, which is right up the road from you, consider taking a class from Current Adventures. They offer whitewater instruction on the American River. Ask for Jason Bates or Gigi McBee, who are excellent people, boaters, and instructors.

If you want to combine a vacation with kayak instruction, consider going to Otter Bar. It's located in the Trinity Alps of California. Otter Bar offers kayak instruction in a beautiful setting, and I think it's worth it just to see the beautiful California Salmon River.

**Humble** · 05-25-2006, 08:08 PM

anyone know of some good courses/instructors in the JH area...

also when i buy a boat, what is good for runs and playboating or is this two different styles (ergo shapes of the boat) of kayaking?

**koolaideprived** · 05-25-2006, 08:26 PM

If you're talking just river running with playboating thrown in then you could find a boat that would fill your needs pretty well. In new boats the Dagger RX (Prescription) or the Liquid Logic CrossRiver would be right up your alley. Both of these boats are forgiving and very easy to roll, in fact I just got off the lake with my RX and think it's just as easy to roll as my old high volume displacement boat. A buddy of mine has the CrossRiver and is on his first season but he loves it for the class III and surfing we've done so far. If you're talking about creeking and playboating then you would want two seperate boats. Just remember that a boat that's designed to do everything won't do anything really well.

www.playak.com
www.dagger.com
www.liquidlogickayaks.com

**Humble** · 05-25-2006, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by koolaideprived

If you're talking just river running with playboating thrown in then you could find a boat that would fill your needs pretty well. In new boats the Dagger RX (Prescription) or the Liquid Logic CrossRiver would be right up your alley. Both of these boats are forgiving and very easy to roll, in fact I just got off the lake with my RX and think it's just as easy to roll as my old high volume displacement boat. A buddy of mine has the CrossRiver and is on his first season but he loves it for the class III and surfing we've done so far. If you're talking about creeking and playboating then you would want two seperate boats. Just remember that a boat that's designed to do everything won't do anything really well.

www.playak.com
www.dagger.com
www.liquidlogickayaks.com

thank you for the info bro

i figured there wasnt any super kayaks that did it all well

**spindrift** · 05-25-2006, 09:00 PM

I have no first hand experience with any JH area shops but, googling around, a couple of the names I saw associated with Rendezvous River Sports/Jackson Hole Kayak School would make me guess they are pretty credible. The Snake River Kayak website sounds reasonable enough they might be worth checking out.

As with everything else, you can try to go the all-around route but you give up something on both ends. You might want to pick play or river running to start and think quiver later. Or scamming off friends, etc. On the other hand, people are running/playing some pretty decent water in "play" boats these days...

Current boats (hah, as if I were current...) are very paddler size and weight (and foot size) sensitive. So going in with a reasonably open mind is a good idea. What works for your 20-30 pound heavier/lighter or thinner/thicker or taller/shorter buddy or instructor might not work for you. Pick your type of boat and demo as many brands as possible in the right size and volume zone.

**Humble** · 05-25-2006, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by spindrift

I have no first hand experience with any JH area shops but, googling around, a couple of the names I saw associated with Rendezvous River Sports/Jackson Hole Kayak School would make me guess they are pretty credible. The Snake River Kayak website sounds reasonable enough they might be worth checking out.

As with everything else, you can try to go the all-around route but you give up something on both ends. You might want to pick play or river running to start and think quiver later. Or scamming off friends, etc. On the other hand, people are running/playing some pretty decent water in "play" boats these days...

Current boats (hah, as if I were current...) are very paddler size and weight (and foot size) sensitive. So going in with a reasonably open mind is a good idea. What works for your 20-30 pound heavier/lighter or thinner/thicker or taller/shorter buddy or instructor might not work for you. Pick your type of boat and demo as many brands as possible in the right size and volume zone.

the hard part is i dont know if i would enjoy creeking or playboating more

and im pretty poor so quiver would be "down the river"

**RootSkier** · 05-25-2006, 10:29 PM

You start with playboating, and once you have some skills, then you can think about creeking. Playboating will teach you how to paddle, roll, and be comfortable in a safe environment.

There is no need to even consider a creekboat when you first start. And river runners are pointless, IMO.

**cloudpeak** · 05-25-2006, 11:00 PM

Today's "river runner" boats tend to be the worst offerings from the manufacturers. IMHO, these types of boats do nothing well, and they won't teach you good skills.

I agree with Rootskier. Start with a playboat.

**koolaideprived** · 05-26-2006, 06:20 AM

^^^^ Agreed, I started with an RPM and found that I was bored after my first season on the river. I learned to roll and learned how certain river features would affect you but was sitting in an eddy most of the time while my friends played on a wave. Today's playboats really aren't all that hard to roll if you have even a rudimentary knowledge of the process.

**RootSkier** · 05-26-2006, 09:30 AM

So I was thinking about river runners last night. They aren't totally pointless. They are probably great for older folks who have no interest in playboating beyond a few mild front surfs while having a dry and forgiving ride on class III whitewater.

For people who are serious about getting good fast, get a rad gnar playboat and get your ass handed to you a few times, and then you will be throwing down by the end of the summer.

**kneisslskier** · 05-26-2006, 05:36 PM

Thanks for the tips, cloudpeak, I'll be sure to check out the classes at coloma. I've heard great things about otter bar, but don't know if I can swing the kayak vacation just yet.

**seldon** · 05-08-2007, 10:51 AM

sorry to bump a long dead thread, but what's the beta on otter bar? i spent 2 weeks learning to kayak via NOLS trip a couple years ago, and am thinking of getting the family (mom and sister) involved. how intense is it? i'm just worried about freaking my mom out... are the instructors good about that?

**teledave** · 05-08-2007, 05:31 PM

Back to the original topic;
there is always the Mr. Stinky School of WW Kayaking.

"Paddle, paddle, paddle, PADDLE LIKE HELL! (HAYULLL)
Lean Downstream, Lean Downstream
Just go stick it in that hole right there.
Gitchya sum of that.
Paddle Like Hell!!!!!"

**ridinshockgun** · 05-08-2007, 09:56 PM

Originally Posted by teledave

Back to the original topic;
there is always the Mr. Stinky School of WW Kayaking.

"Paddle, paddle, paddle, PADDLE LIKE HELL! (HAYULLL)
Lean Downstream, Lean Downstream
Just go stick it in that hole right there.
Gitchya sum of that.
Paddle Like Hell!!!!!"

That was my first kayak lesson. Didnt even have to learn to roll. The skirt was always popped before the boat completely capsized and you HAVE to get your own shit to the bank because everybody else is pointing and laughing.

Come on down to NC and sign up. Then I'll turn you loose at the WW Park here and you'll be throwing down in no time.

**seldon** · 05-08-2007, 10:48 PM

Originally Posted by cloudpeak

Today's "river runner" boats tend to be the worst offerings from the manufacturers. IMHO, these types of boats do nothing well, and they won't teach you good skills.

I agree with Rootskier. Start with a playboat.

On this note... what about the in-between river runner/playboats? I've spent about 10 days kayaking (all instruction - it was a NOLS trip) 2 years ago, loved it, and want to do some more this summer. obviously I'm going to be renting/borrowing/begging for boats, but if I see a deal. What about something like the LL CR125 or the EZG? Are these playboaty enough?

**cloudpeak** · 05-08-2007, 10:52 PM

Originally Posted by seldon

On this note... what about the in-between river runner/playboats? I've spent about 10 days kayaking (all instruction - it was a NOLS trip) 2 years ago, loved it, and want to do some more this summer. obviously I'm going to be renting/borrowing/begging for boats, but if I see a deal. What about something like the LL CR125 or the EZG? Are these playboaty enough?

Either get a true playboat or get one of the new Fun series by Jackson Kayaks.

**SKISC** · 05-09-2007, 06:27 AM

Originally Posted by ridinshockgun

That was my first kayak lesson. Didnt even have to learn to roll. The skirt was always popped before the boat completely capsized and you HAVE to get your own shit to the bank because everybody else is pointing and laughing.

Come on down to NC and sign up. Then I'll turn you loose at the WW Park here and you'll be throwing down in no time.

My first lesson in the Stinky School was, "we are just going to push you out there a little bit, then you just turnover". After I did that see dialog above.

**JerseyDave** · 05-09-2007, 08:36 AM

I reccomend buying used. Esspecially playboats. I started with what would be called and old school playboat (Necky Gliss). It cost me a few hundred for boat skirt and paddle, life vest, and helmet. It was a really great boat for running rivers and light creeking. Dagger RPMs, Redlines, ect. Try to keep it around 8 feet ( or less). Boats like these will be an affordable way to check out the sport w/o breaking the bank.
LEARN TO ROLL in flat water or a pool. It will make your first rivers alot more enjoyable if you don't yard sale every time you capsize. Learn a good, safe brace from the beginning. Easier then trying to change bad habbits later on. Never be ashamed to walk. I know alot of skiers that got into boating and stopped after "that one time". Keep your progression fun.
Always scout with a rope.

**Mybad!** · 05-09-2007, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by teledave

Back to the original topic;
there is always the Mr. Stinky School of WW Kayaking.

"Paddle, paddle, paddle, PADDLE LIKE HELL! (HAYULLL)
Lean Downstream, Lean Downstream
Just go stick it in that hole right there.
Gitchya sum of that.
Paddle Like Hell!!!!!"

HA!! That's funny man. I was basically yelling it all day yesterday on Brown's Canyon with a newbie. PADDLE!!!!!!PADDLE HARD!!!!!!! I didn't have to tell him to get in any holes, he did that all by himself, backwards in some cases.

**SKISC** · 05-09-2007, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by teledave

Back to the original topic;
there is always the Mr. Stinky School of WW Kayaking.

"Paddle, paddle, paddle, PADDLE LIKE HELL! (HAYULLL)
Lean Downstream, Lean Downstream
Just go stick it in that hole right there.
Gitchya sum of that.
Paddle Like Hell!!!!!"

Dave, you let out the:
"left knee, left knee, right knee, left knee" part