Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga

Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga is a natural extension of Yoga – it encourages calm and focus, but it’s done outside, with nature serving as the studio space. Being on the water will add a little more balance challenge too!

In Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga, we’ll offer a short tutorial on paddling a board and after a short paddle, we’ll move through a Yoga practice as a group. The practice will be tailored to participants’ experience with yoga. You’ll learn to perform Yoga poses while floating on water. Because of the moving surface, you’ll be engaging muscles that you would not normally, which makes this a fun and challenging class! Adding the imbalance of floating means that you’ll have to use your core much more than you would in a studio yoga class. We’ll finish  with seated meditation on the board and of course some time floating in Relaxation Pose. You may want to plan to get wet; falling off the board has been known to happen.

This 1.5 hour course is taught on the Haw River above the dam in Saxapahaw, NC. Participants are responsible for providing clothing and footwear that can get wet, a towel and a change of clothing for the ride home.

Fee: $40 per person.

Quick Start Stand Up Paddleboard

Stand up paddleboarding is a new and exciting way to get out into nature while, at the same time, having a full-body, paddling experience.  This introductory course is for those without previous stand up paddleboard experience.  It begins with learning to paddle in the prone position, progresses to the kneeling position and concludes with the stand up position.  Students will learn how to identify the “sweet spot”, conduct basic turns, paddle efficiently by using the “paddler’s box” and utilize techniques for safely falling off the board.

This 2 hour course is taught on the Haw River above the dams at both Saxapahaw and Bynum, NC. Participants are responsible for providing clothing and footwear that can get wet, and a change of clothing for the ride home.

Fee: $60 per person.

Introduction to Recreational Kayaking

Paddling technique, safety and enjoyment are emphasized in this 8 hour introduction to recreational kayaking. Instruction is designed to give participants a solid foundation in recreational kayaking — beginning with choosing the correct equipment and moving to proper weld, entry and launch techniques; balance; bracing; strokes; safety; self-rescue techniques; assisted rescue techniques; and trip planning. There is plenty of time to observe birds and wildlife while practicing various techniques. We will break in the middle for lunch so bring a bag lunch with you.

Fee: $80 per person.

Introduction to Sea Kayaking

This 10 hour introductory course includes the basics of sea kayking, stressing technique, safety and enjoyment — while providing ample opportunity to develop skill through practice. You will learn about equipment, strokes, proper weld, entry, exists, balance, bracing, strokes, safety and rescue techniques.

Fee: $185 per person.

Kayak Roll Classes & Practice

Being able to roll a kayak is an essential part of being a safe and efficient paddler.  The basic principles of kayak rolling are taught in this course.  It is designed for both the beginner and those individuals who want to improve their rolling skill.  Sufficient time is provided to practice both your rolls.

This 2 hour course is taught in a pool at the Maynard Aquatic Center in Burlington, NC.  We maintain a roster of people interested in learning to roll a kayak, experienced paddlers wanting to practice their rolls and fill the sessions on a first come, first serve basis.  It is recommended that the beginning kayaker consider registering for more than one session since it is unlikely that he/she will be able to roll a kayak during the first 2 hour session.

Fee: $25.00 per person for those wanting instruction and $5.00 per person for those just wanting to practice their rolls and have their own boat and paddling gear with them.

Quick Start for Kayak

Designed for the total beginner who doesn’t have time for more in-depth instruction, the “Quick Start” course offers a 3 hour, intense introduction to kayaking. The course emphasizes safety, enjoyment and skill acquisition, and follows American Canoe Association guidelines. Specific topics include personal preparation for the trip, safety and rescue, proper equipment, getting started and maneuvers. A review at the end of the course will help to insure learning.

Fee: $30 per person.

Introduction to River Canoeing

This 8 hour introductory course in the basics of river canoeing stresses technique, safety and enjoyment. Instruction is designed to provide both an understanding of the principals of canoeing and an opportunity to develop skill through practice. You will learn about equipment, strokes, maneuvering in current, river reading, safety, rescue techniques and knot tying. You will also have an opportunity to paddle both solo and in tandem. If the opportunity presents itself, we will take time to observe wildlife. We will break in the middle for lunch so bring a bag lunch with you.

Fee: $80 per person.

Introduction to Whitewater Canoeing

This 10 hour introductory course in the basics of whitewater canoeing stresses technique, safety and enjoyment. Instruction is designed to provide both an understanding of the principals of canoeing in class II whitewater and an opportunity to develop skill through practice. You will learn about equipment, strokes, whitewater maneuvers (e.g., upstream and downstream ferries, eddy turns and peel-outs), river reading, safety, rescue techniques and knot tying. You will also have an opportunity to paddle both solo and in tandem. If the opportunity presents itself, we will take time to observe wildlife.

Fee: $160 per person.

Quick Start for Canoe

Designed for the total beginner who doesn’t have time for more in-depth instruction, the “Quick Start” course offers a 3 hour, intense introduction to canoeing. The course emphasizes safety, enjoyment and skill acquisition, and follows American Canoe Association guidelines. Specific topics include personal preparation for the trip, safety and rescue, proper equipment, getting started and maneuvers. A review at the end of the course will help to insure learning.

Fee: $30 per person.