Teen Kayaking Courses FAQs
Our Teen Kayaking Courses are designed for ages 12–17. If your teen is younger but eager to learn, contact us to discuss options.
No experience is necessary! Courses are beginner-friendly but also provide opportunities for more advanced skills for teens who have paddled before.
Courses cover Class I–III rapids, depending on skill and comfort level. Teens will learn proper paddling techniques, river safety, and basic whitewater navigation.
Yes! All necessary equipment — including kayaks, paddles, life jackets, spray skirts, and helmets — are provided.
- Quick-dry clothing (avoid cotton)
- Secure water shoes or old sneakers
- Sun protection (hat, sunglasses with strap)
- Weather-appropriate outerwear (like a light rain jacket)
- A towel and change of clothes for after the course
We welcome teens with medical conditions or disabilities. Please notify us in advance so we can make appropriate accommodations. If your teen weighs more than 250 pounds, please let us know — this ensures we can provide a kayak that fits comfortably and safely.
Courses are led by our experienced, certified guides with small instructor-to-student ratios to ensure safety, learning, and fun.
Absolutely! Beginner teens will learn skills progressively, starting with basic strokes and river safety before moving on to more challenging rapids.
Yes! Discounts may be available for families enrolling multiple teens or for teens taking multiple courses. Contact us for details.
Our Teen Kayaking Course is 7 days long and the Teen River Running Expedition is 7 days (one day on the front end and 6 days on the water). Or two weeks for both courses
Please review our cancellation policy at the time of booking. We try to be flexible and will work with you in case of scheduling changes or weather concerns.
Teens must have prior river running experience to join this expedition. They can either complete our 7‑day Teen Kayaking Course or demonstrate a reliable combat roll (successfully executed about two-thirds of the time).
Our goal is to ensure every teen is confident, prepared, and set up for success on the river. If you’re unsure whether your teen is ready, please reach out — we’re happy to help assess their readiness.
Safety and comfort are our top priorities: if at any point during the expedition a teen feels uncomfortable on the river, they are welcome to ride in the raft.
Supervision & Safety
Qualified guides and staff supervise all kayaking instruction and river activities. Off‑water and after‑course periods are also monitored by our trained team to ensure safety and support throughout the day.
Yes — our course schedule includes supervised downtime and evening group activities. These may include river games, skill talks, volleyball, frisbee golf, and team challenges that keep teens engaged and safe between paddling sessions.
Medications & Health
Yes — but all medications (prescription and over‑the‑counter) should be clearly labeled and handed to staff at check‑in along with any administration instructions. This helps us ensure your teen’s safety and that medications are given properly and securely..
Our staff are trained to administer medications as directed by you and the prescribing provider. This includes both scheduled meds and those needed “as‑needed” (like headache relief) per the provided instructions.
Yes — please notify us of any food allergies, so we can plan suitable meals and snacks.
Logistics & Planning
A typical day blends kayaking instruction, on‑river practice, safety briefings, skill progression time, and supervised downtime or camp activities. Weather and river conditions may influence the schedule.
Pack appropriate clothing for on‑water activities (quick‑dry layers, secure water shoes), personal items like sunscreen and a towel, any needed medications, and a refillable water bottle. Please see the Packing List for more details.
Communication & Emergencies
We encourage teens to experience the course independently, building confidence and self-reliance. For parents, this means we generally ask that non-urgent calls be avoided — “no news is good news”
During the 7-Day Teen Kayaking Course, parents can reach our staff by phone or email for urgent matters, and we provide important updates as needed.
During the Teen River Running Expedition, communication is limited due to river conditions. We carry a SAT phone for emergencies, so parents can always reach staff if necessary.
Staff are trained in first aid and emergency procedures. In the rare case of a medical emergency, we will contact you immediately and follow proper emergency protocols.
Expectations & Preparedness
We create a supportive environment — beginners are encouraged to learn at their pace. If at any time your teen is uncomfortable on the water, they may ride in the raft or work with an instructor on skills until they feel ready.
Teens should be in good general health and able to participate in physical activity; no specific athletic level is required.
We maintain low guide‑to‑participant ratios and all staff are trained in river safety, first aid, and youth supervision best practices.
