Professional Kayak Training Denver

What better place than the Colorado Rockies could there be to learn kayaking? The mountains, all the fast rivers and streams, the placid lakes--all provide a great training ground for instructors, schools and outfitters who teach this very active outdoor sport to those who want to take some lessons. Most people who take beginner's lessons quickly get hooked and continue to broaden and hone their skills. Many become members of canoe and kayak clubs in their area to connect with other enthusiasts for trips and to socialize together.

There's no doubt about it, kayaking is an adrenaline sport. I was in a club in a Memphis canoe club that sponsored outings every week of the year to all parts of the country. We had different levels, but our kayakers seemed to be the most passionate and addicted to their sport of any of our members. Kayaking IS dangerous. Paddlers can die if they don't know how to handle tricky situations in fast water. That's why it's important to get training from instructors who are licensed and know to teach extensively about safety and emergency techniques. I believe that most dedicated kayakers do know these details.

Some Denver area instructors would be worth looking into. Confluence Kayaks (1615 Platte Street, Denver) trains offers both lake and river instruction every weekend all summer long. On Tuesday nights they also train people in pools from 8-10:30. (NOTE: Call them at (303) 433-3676 for the latest schedule and to register for your class). This is how many people begin learning in the winter. These have a condensed, two-lesson package to familiarize students with the kayak, handling the paddle, rolling and maneuvering these tight little boats. From there they can continue with some open pool sessions. But the real outdoor training begins with either lake or river lessons. They have a $215 package that trains students on lake first, then river, for two day-long sessions, each on a Saturday. The sessions can also be taken separately for $115, but the package will save money. Lake training is on Saturdays, May 13-August 26. River sessions are on Sundays, May 14-August 27. Their web site has a multitude of training classes for people who just have to "knock it up a notch."

Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center teaches kayakers basic skills and all levels of advanced maneuvering, rolling, surfing and many of the safety techniques. This is strictly pool training, but that is where most people have to begin. Every day from May1-Sept.4, they have guided river run clinics as well for $125. All the instructors here are fully certified and experienced. Contact them for further information and pricing at customerservice@rmoc.com.

Golden Community Center

1470 10th street, Golden, CO, 80401

Main pool on the south deck

General phone number: 303-384-8100

Rocky Mountain Adventures is another training group that teaches kaykers at a pool, lake and river. They also teach special classes in roll, two-day fast track, and inflatables and on-top kayak instruction. Private classes are another option. The pool instruction is 3.5 hrs. and costs $140, and the lake and river are the same. The two-day fast track for $220 is an intensive two days of group training on the Poudre and Colorado Rivers. A $15 equipment rental is additional. Contact information is: info@ShopRMA.com and a toll-free 800.858.6808.

Rocky Mountain Adventures

1117 N Hwy 287

Fort Collins, CO 80524