Rapid Learning

Skills Classes and the Instructional Block (May-August 2025 )

Learning to whitewater kayak starts with Outdoor Chattanooga’s Rapid Learning Whitewater Program.

The Rapid Learning program provides comprehensive whitewater kayak instruction, including all the necessary equipment, specifically designed for the beginning and novice kayakers. Our goal is to teach you how to paddle confidently and safely in up to class III whitewater. Our nationally certified lead instructors follow the American Canoe Association curriculum to ensure high-quality training.

Your first class is free! Start with the Rapid Learning Introduction to Kayaking Skills Class, where you’ll learn the foundational skills and safe paddling techniques in the calm waters of a lake or pool. After your first class, continue your progress by purchasing an annual individual or family instructional package. We encourage you to further develop your skills through our regularly scheduled classes, available from May through August. Build on what you’ve learned at a pace that feels comfortable to you. Becoming a skilled and safe paddler takes time, practice, and dedication.

River Clinics are offered in June, July and August, putting your skills to practice providing moving water instruction on class I-II whitewater. These essential river skills teach you to “read” or navigate rapids, catch and peel out of eddies, ferry currents, and practice important river safety protocols, so you can gain confidence on the water.  Register during the introduction weekly classes with your instructor.  

Equipment provided includes a range of beginner-friendly kayaks most notably river runners and half slices, from various manufacturers, and sizes. Our classes can be suitable for participants aged 10 and older, and minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. For more details about eligibility criteria, feel free to contact us directly or visit the ACA standardized eligibility page at https://americancanoe.org/eec/.

For additional information or to register this class or others, visit www.OutdoorChattanooga.com

 

 

 

Rapid Learning

Master the river.

Sign Up

Rapid Learning

Master the river.

Sign Up

Rapid Learning

Master the river.
Sign Up

Rapid Learning

Master the river.
Sign Up

Rapid Learning

Master the river.
Sign Up

Rapid Learning

Master the river.
Sign Up

Rapid Learning

Master the river.

Sign Up

Rapid Learning

Master the river.
Sign Up

Rapid Learning

Master the river.
Sign Up

Rapid Learning

Master the river.
Sign Up

Rapid Learning

Master the river.
Sign Up

Rapid Learning

Master the river.
Sign Up

Try It!

Your first Introduction to Whitewater Kayak is free! Next step, commit to the instructional block for drop in classes May-August.

What You’ll Learn

  • How to adjust a kayak and PFD (Personal Floatation Device) to comfortably fit you and the use of a neoprene spray skirt
  • Paddle strokes, edging, and bracing maneuvers to keep your kayak upright, and in the direction you want it to go
  • Self-rescue skills including the wet exit, buddy rescues, boat-over-boat emptying techniques, wet re-entry, and a variety of kayak rolls
  • Flat water kayak skills in preparation for a whitewater (or flat water) environment
  • If you choose to register for one or more river clinics you will learn: Navigating and reading the river, river safety, edging and bracing techniques and basic river safety and etiquette.

FAQs

When and where are the kayak skills classes offered?

LAKE~Introduction, Skills and Roll Practice
During the warmer months, May through August, classes are held weekly on Wednesdays on the Chickamauga Lake at Hamilton County’s Chester Frost Park in Hixson, TN.  There are 2 sessions (1 hour each) from 6pm to 7pm or enjoy our 2nd sessions from 7pm to 8pm.   Plan to arrive 20 minutes early to get checked in.

 

When and where are the instructional river trips offered?

RIVER~Instructional River Clinics

Put it all to practice during instructional river clinics.  Our experienced kayak instructors will be right there with you to encourage and instruct as you test and hone your whitewater skills on the river emphasizing  boat control, catching eddies, peel outs, cross-river ferrying, reading whitewater, and developing safety and river awareness.Kayakers are eligible to attend instructional river clinics once they have attended at least one skills class and demonstrated essential skills such as confident wet exits, basic self-rescue, and effective maneuvering of the kayak. Instructional River clinics are offered on Sundays throughout the summer months and open to those who have purchased the instructional block in Rapid Learning along with the $35 full day clinic fee. The fee includes equipment, transportation, and instruction on the water. Reservations and payment are required in advance for the river trips and registration is available at the roll practice sessions.
River Clinic Dates:

2025 clinic dates: 
June 22

July 13

July 20

July 27

Aug 3

 

Do I have to make a reservation? How do I purchase instructional blocks?

Visit our program catalog and online reservation system to purchase an Instructional Block. You do not have to make a reservation for the skills sessions. Reservations and instructor approval are required for river trips.

Do I need to have my own equipment?

No, Outdoor Chattanooga provides all the equipment and instruction to learn whitewater kayaking skills at skills classes and on river trips. You are welcome to bring and use your own equipment if you have it.  If you decide to bring your own equipment, please make sure it is cleaned.

How much does it cost?

The first session is free. To continue with the program, you must buy the Instructional Block. A Rapid Learning Instructional Block is good for 1 season of instruction and gives you access to our kayak equipment during all scheduled skills classes and river trips. Individual Instruction Block is $75, Family Instructional Block is $125. There is an additional $35 fee for river trips.

Do I have to have experience to participate?

No experience is required to attend and participate in a skills class.

Kayakers must demonstrate essential kayak skills such as a wet exit, effective maneuvering of the kayak, and self-rescue techniques during a skills session and receive instructor approval to attend a river trip.

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Did You Know?

The Chattanooga region holds great and diverse whitewater paddling opportunities, for beginners and experts. To the east, the Appalachian Mountains hold iconic whitewater streams like the Ocoee, Hiwassee, Cartecay, Nantahala and Chattooga. Closer to home, the ridges of the Cumberland Plateau offer some of the best steep creek boating in the Eastern U.S.

American Whitewater offers the region’s best river database.

Go Paddling!
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