Kayak & Whitewater Instruction

Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center’s paddle school rates as one of the finest whitewater programs in the world. Nowhere else will you find co-ed instructors with such high levels of expertise and enthusiasm. Our staff has plenty of patience and teaching tools to help first-timers of all ages succeed, and also possess the skill and passion to help more advanced boaters take paddling to new levels.
Our location makes learning easy. We take beginning paddlers to swimming pools where they can learn the basics in a friendly environment before easing into some of the best teaching stretches of the Arkansas River.
For more experienced paddlers, unlimited options abound both upstream and downstream of our base. World famous whitewater runs like the Numbers and Brown’s Canyon, or Bighorn Sheep Canyon and the Royal Gorge rage nearby. Just outside the door of our Center, is Salida’s renowned whitewater park. With its play holes, surf waves and deep eddy lines, the park provides access for playboating clinics or afternoon surf sessions. Add hot showers, scenic, juniper-scented campgrounds and tasty meals to the mix and you signed up for an experience of a lifetime!
All of our teachers hold either Instructor or Instructor Trainer certification by the American Canoe Association. They have extensive training in first-aid and river rescue.
At Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center, we provide all the essential paddling equipment, including: boats, paddles, helmets, life jackets, spray skirts, booties, paddle jackets and wetsuits. This high-quality equipment will make every aspect of your visit more comfortable and fun. Please call our office at 1-800-255-5784 for more specific information on what to bring. After you sign up, we'll send a confirmation letter to remind you what items you need. |