Thank you for choosing the Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center where outdoor adventure is our passion. We are proud to offer professional kayak instruction in the amazing Arkansas River Valley! Our legendary paddle school has been teaching paddle sports in this area for over 30 years. All courses are taught by a qualified RMOC instructor who is certified by the American Canoe Association (ACA). Equipment provided.
Course List
Additional Courses and Lessons
L1 – Strokes and Balance
Scheduled Group Full Day Courses
May 25, May 26, June 16, July 7, Aug 11, Sept 1
Private Instruction
Available Any Day May 1 – Sept 30
Times and costs vary – See details
Prerequisite
None
Course Description
A great place to start as well as a good refresher for those who want to review their basic skills. We begin by covering the necessary equipment and fitting you properly in your kayak. Then we head to the lake to work on strokes, bracing, edging, posture, and an introduction to the roll.
Venue
Flatwater. Trout Creek Reservoir
Time
9:30 am – 4 pm
Details
- Includes Equipment and Lunch
- Free Camping
Cost
$125
L2 – Essentials of River Kayaking
Scheduled Group Full Day Courses
May 26, May 27, June 17, July 8, Aug 12, Sept 2
Private Instruction
Available Any Day May 1 – Sept 30
Times and costs vary – See details
Prerequisite
L1 course or comparable experience
Course Description
This course will give an overview of basic river hydrology and how to use river features to your advantage while in moving current. Basic moves like the eddy turn, ferry, and peel-outs are covered, as well as, how to handle small river obstacles. This is a great course for applying your flat water skills to the moving water or tuning up your basic river maneuvers.
Venue
Salida river park. Class II section.
Time
9:30 am – 4 pm
Details
- Includes Equipment and Lunch
- Free Camping
Cost
$125
L3 – Basic River Running
Scheduled Group Full Day Courses
May 27, June 30, July 21, Aug 18
Private Instruction
Available Any Day May 1 – Sept 30
Times and costs vary – See details
Prerequisite
L2 course or comparable experience
Course Description
Time to head downstream and enjoy the beauty of running a Rocky Mountain river. We will cover river running tactics as well as safety and communication. Also, we’ll look at how to read water, scout rapids and identify hazards. Plenty of time is spent on practicing basic river maneuvers as well as an introduction to surfing and playing in small river features.
Venue
Big Bend to Salida
Time
9:30 am – 4 pm
Details
- Includes Equipment and Lunch
- Free Camping
Cost
$125
L4 – Advanced Kayak Technique
Scheduled Group Full Day Courses
July 1, July 22
Private Instruction
Available Any Day May 1 – Sept 30
Times and costs vary – See details
Prerequisite
L3 course or comparable experience. EX1 (Focus on the Roll)
Course Description
So you are comfortable in class II water but are looking to step up your game. This course is designed to take you there. Topics covered will be jet ferries, catching micro eddies, rolling in current, and advanced strokes. Learn how to make easy whitewater more exciting and challenging by making moves in faster current and through slalom gates.
Venue
Salida or Buena Vista River park. Moderate downriver section.
Time
9:30 am – 4 pm
Details
- Includes Equipment and Lunch
- Free Camping
Cost
$125
EX1 – Focus on the Roll
Scheduled Group Full Day Courses
June 3, Aug 19
Private Instruction
Available Any Day May 1 – Sept 30
Times and costs vary – See details
Prerequisite
Strokes and balance course or similar experience
Course Description
A qualified instructor will walk you through the proper paddle technique and body mechanics to perform this awesome maneuver. A solid roll is one of the most sought after skills to master as a whitewater kayaker. This course is great for newer kayakers looking to get their first roll as well as boaters who would like to improve their current roll.
Venue
Lake, pool, or calm eddy.
Time
1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Cost
$75
Paddlefest Roll Sessions – May 26 & 27
We will have a pool set up next to our tent in South Main during Paddlefest weekend. Call 719.395.3335 to sign up for a 30 minute roll session. Equipment NOT provided, but available to rent from CKS Mainstreet.
Cost
$25
EX2 – River Surf and Playboating
Scheduled Group Full Day Courses
May 26 (Paddlefest w/Team Jackson)
Private Instruction
Available Any Day May 1 – Sept 30
Times and costs vary – See details
Prerequisite
L4 course and EX1 (Focus on the roll). Or comparable experience
Course Description
Make the river your playground with freestyle tricks like cartwheels, flatspins, and loops. Super fun and a great way take your river running and roll to the next level.
Venue
Salida or Buena Vista river park
Time
10 am – Noon
Details
Equipment NOT included for Paddlefest Course, but available to rent.
Cost
$65
EX3 – Creeking Clinic
Scheduled Group Full Day Courses
May 27 (Paddlefest w/Team Pyranha)
Private Instruction
Available Any Day May 1 – Sept 30
Times and costs vary – See details
Prerequisite
Proficient Class III Paddler with a solid river roll.
Course Description
If you are looking to start exploring your local creeks this course will help you to prepare. Techniques like boofing, catching micro eddies, and hairy ferries will be covered as well as safety concerns and group communication.
Venue
Brown’s Canyon or Fractions
Time
1pm – 4:30pm
Details
- Course meets at RMOC tent at South Main in Buena Vista
- Equipment NOT provided, but available to rent
Cost
$75
Whitewater Addicts Kayak Camp
Prerequisite
Proficient Class III Paddler with a solid river roll.
Course Description
Take your kayaking to the next level! Explore the Arkansas River with friends and RMOC staff. Intermediate paddlers can expect good times and professional instruction on some of the best river runs in Colorado. Expect to run Brown’s Canyon, The Fractions, and other class III sections of the Arkansas River. Playboating sessions in Salida and Buena Vista Riverparks will practice basic maneuvers like spinning and looping. Note that this course is scheduled during typical high flow periods in Colorado. This should provide an opportunity to practice big water river running and also provide excellent surfing at the river parks. Riverside lodging in beautiful downtown Salida provided.
Venue
Arkansas River. Class III and IV whitewater sections. Salida and Buena Vista river parks.
Dates
June 9-11
Cost
$500
Includes meals, Equipment, and camping
This course is NOT included with Rocky Mountain Adventure Pass purchase
Safety and Rescue
Scheduled Group Full Day Courses
June 3, Aug 19
Private Instruction
Available Any Day May 1 – Sept 30
Times and costs vary – See details
Prerequisite
L3 or comparable experience
Course Description
An introduction to river rescue and safety techniques. Practice with basic skills like throw bagging and aggressive swimming. Kayak and SUP.
Venue
Arkansas River. Class II Section
Time
8:30 am – Noon
Cost
$75
Overnight Float
Prerequisite
L4 or comparable experience
Course Description
An all-inclusive overnight paddle trip designed for intermediate kayakers and stand up paddlers. Enjoy 25 miles of class II-III whitewater on the scenic Arkansas River with riverside camping.
Venue
Big Bend-Vallie Bridge. Camping at Point Barr/Rincon
Dates
July 28-29
Details
Includes Equipment, Meals, and Camping
Cost
$300
Private Instruction and Custom Group Lessons
Can’t make it to one of our group courses or prefer to learn in a one-on-one environment?
Take Private Instruction with one of our certified instructors.
Available any day May 1 – Sept 30
Full Day
9 am – 3:30 pm
Rate
$300/1 person, $350/2 people, $125/person for groups of 3+
Half Day
8:30 am – 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Rate
$175/1 person, $200/2 people, $75/person for groups of 3+
Details
- All equipment included
- Lunch included on Full Days
- FREE camping