About UsKayaking Lessons
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Which class or lesson should I take first?
Before you can answer the question of "which first?" you need to ask yourself what your goals and aspirations are in kayaking.
If you aren't sure that kayaking is for you or just want to give it a try in a quiet, supportive environment, then you might want to choose from one of the three-hour day hours: Harbor Highlights or Kayak Back to Nature. You will receive just enough instruction on our bay tours to allow you to control your own boat and have a great time as you explore scenic Newport Harbor or Bay.
If you want to try kayaking with your younger children, but feel you could use a little help with the whole kids-in-boats thing, then our Family Kayaking class is a great low-stress starter.
If you are looking for an easy and fun time on the water, but also want to learn just enough skills to paddle with friends and family on small harbors or bays, or on small, quiet lakes, never intending to go on to paddling in open-ocean conditions, then Recreational Kayaking - Kayaking Skills for Protected Waters is just the ticket.
If paddling in open-ocean or other more challenging conditions is definitely in your future, or even if you know you want to paddle the bay, but Recreational Kayaking doesn't seem to serve enough of a challenge for you, then First Strokes - The Basics and Beyond will get you started, allowing you to enjoy the bays and harbors, plus give you the basics you will need to continue onto Sea Legs I and the rest of our series. If you've been paddling for awhile but are mostly self-taught, need a general "tune-up" or have been out of the sport for awhile, then First Strokes is the perfect entry level for you.
Once you've completed First Strokes and paddled enough to build a little endurance and confidence in your new-found skills, you may elect to continue onto Sea Legs I as a way to expand your skills and maybe continue on through the "series" - Sea Legs II and then Surf Zones. Other options would be to take the Open Water Comprehensive, where you could enjoy a review of First Strokes and complete BOTH Sea Legs I and II, all in one fun and fulfilling weekend! Or, you could sign up for a Rolling class.
The Open Water Comprehensive is the class to choose if you are convinced that there just isn't enough time to get all the fun things done in one lifetime. The Open Water Comprehensive combines all the material in the First Strokes, Sea Legs I and Sea Legs II into one great weekend, preparing you for open water and for our Surf Zones class.
Having completed Sea Legs II or the Open Water Comprehensive, you may be ready for Surf Zones, where you can learn to handle the breaking waves during beach launches and landings, and sharpen all the skills you've gained up to that point.
At any time you feel you are ready, the Rolling Class is an appropriate way to gain even more skills and confidence.
Dates and Locations for Lessons - See our events schedule for listings of lessons for the year with times and locations, or see our calendar for this month's lessons and events.
Private/Group Lessons - Both private and reserved group instruction are also available. We can arrange many different options for most any size group in a variety of locations.
How to Reserve Your Lesson and Lesson Policies - Click here to find out more details! Or contact us at info@southwindkayaks.com or 1-800-SOUTHWIND.
Free Demo Mornings - Interested in trying out kayaks or in learning a few things about kayaks before you hit the water? See dates for our seminars and Demo Mornings!