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

The Rapid Learning provides formal kayak instruction, including all the equipment, and is designed for beginning and novice kayakers with the goal of teaching you how to safely and comfortably paddle up to class III whitewater. Our instructors have years of experience teaching and are nationally certified. 

Start any time!  This year-round program is available and begins with the Introduction to Kayaking Skills Class.  Your first class is free!  Learn the essential skills and safe paddling techniques in the calm waters of the lake or pool. If you wish to continue with us you purchase the annual instructional package as an individual or as a family.  We encourage you to continue your instruction in the regularly offered classes which build upon previously learned skills and at a pace according to your comfort level. It takes time and practice to become a confident and safe paddler.   Instruction is provided within a group setting emphasizing proper equipment and gear fit, skill-building, goal-setting, and safety.

Equipment is provided, or paddlers may bring their own gear to practice using. Skills classes and the Rapid Learning Program are most appropriate for ages 8 and older. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. 

Skills Classes and Membership

Changes for Winter 2023-24 and Summer Season. 

Begin the Rapid Learning program with the pool/lake class  Intro to Kayaking and Skills Practice–which is the first step in your commitment to learning this sport and building and maintaining the essential skills.  Instructional and equipped river trips offer the opportunity to learn to read moving water and practice kayaking in moving whitewater.  River trips are available in June, July and August for participants with the Rapid Learning Whitewater Program.  

Try It! Your first visit is free!

Annual Instructional Enrollment

Learning to whitewater kayak is fun and exciting, yet it takes time, practice, and a commitment to learn the essential skills to be safe and successful.   Outdoor Chattanooga has been teaching the Rapid Learning Whitewater Kayak program for almost 30 years, teaching people to paddle and building community.  It may be possible that this style of kayaking is not for you; however, the skills taught in the intro classes DO translate to recreational style kayaking.  See our schedule for additional types of kayak and canoe instructional programs.

 Rapid Learning Program includes the use of a variety of whitewater kayaks, equipment, and skill-building instruction at practices. The instructional blocks are valid for one year from the date of purchase. The individual annual instruction package is $75, and the family instructional package for $125/year.  This structure ensures that you take the time to learn the sport safely and with guided practice.  Be a part of the whitewater community! 

Instructional River Trips

Put your newly acquired paddling skills to the test on moving current during instructional river trips. Kayakers are eligible to attend instructional river trips 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 Trips are offered on Sundays throughout the summer and open to Rapid Learning Members and non-members who have demonstrated the essential skills. With an emphasis on boat control, you’ll practice catching eddies, peeling out, cross-river ferrying, reading whitewater, and developing river awareness. Our experienced guides will be right there with you to encourage and instruct as you test and hone your whitewater skills on the river. Instructional river trips at $35 for Rapid Learning members with the annual instructional package.  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.

What You’ll Learn

FAQs

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.