Whitewater Kayak Schools

Our kayaking schools are designed for everyone, from first-timers who have never been in a boat, to advanced paddlers looking to refine their skills. Our friendly, professional guides, our river expertise and our remarkable safety record is sure to make your whitewater kayaking experience with O.A.R.S. unforgettable. Allow the company that was twice named “The Best River & Sea Outfitter on Earth” by National Geographic Adventure magazine to guide you downstream.

O.A.R.S. offers three whitewater kayak schools on the Salmon River in Idaho:

• Beginning Whitewater Kayak School on the Lower Salmon (4 days)
• Beginning Whitewater Kayak School on the Lower Salmon (7 days)
• Intermediate Whitewater Kayak School on the Main Salmon (6 days)

All programs include:

• Expert instruction from professional ACA (American Canoe Association) certified kayak instructors
• Meals from lunch on day 1 to lunch on the final day of your trip
• Catered camping
• Raft support and expeditions equipment including a kayak

We’ll provide challenge and excitement by day and good food and comfortable, catered camping at night. When you join an O.A.R.S. trip, you're benefiting from more than four decades of experience with an industry leader. Our professional guides and instructors have been recognized as some of the best in the industry. They all have whitewater rescue training and extensive kayaking and guiding experience.

These kayak schools are ideal for:

• Anyone interested in learning the basics of whitewater kayaking, reading whitewater and river safety
• Experienced kayakers who would like to improve their boating skills with raft support or those who would simply like to experience the Salmon River by kayak with raft support
• Anyone who appreciates experiential learning
• Adventurers seeking an active vacation experience on the beautiful Main or Lower Salmon river

Why sign up for a whitewater kayaking school with O.A.R.S.?

• Outside magazine, National Geographic Traveler, MSNBC, Good Morning America, Condé Nast Traveler and Men’s Journal have all recognized O.A.R.S. as offering some of the "Best Trips" on the planet
• O.A.R.S. has been guiding people on rivers and coastlines worldwide since 1969. From relaxing Class I floats to adrenaline-pumping Class V rivers throughout North and South America to the Class 10 rapids found in the Grand Canyon
• More than 450,000 guests have trusted us to escort them on some of the most spectacular wilderness destinations worldwide
• We keep our trips small, with 1 guide for every 4 guests (1:4) participants receive plenty of personal attention
• Our certified kayak instructors teach techniques for reading whitewater, navigating rapids, and recognizing play spots
• We use top-notch, well-maintained equipment
• We are committed to treading lightly on the environment

One price includes:

• Kayak instruction with skilled professional ACA (American Canoe Association) certified kayak instructors
• Meals from lunch on Day 1 through lunch on the final day of your trip
• High quality kayaks/spray skirt and expedition equipment including paddle, helmet, PFD (personal flotation device), 2-person shared tent, sleeping bag with liner, ground cloth, sleeping pad, pillow with pillowcase, paddle jacket, and dry bags
• Raft support on the river
• Transfers from the meeting place to the river and back

An example of course content taught in the the O.A.R.S. kayak schools:

• Combat/eskimo roll, whitewater paddle strokes/braces, as well as proper swimming and self-rescue techniques
• Introduction to the essential skills necessary to enjoy your next river experience including learning how to read whitewater and understand whitewater dynamics - holes, pillows, tongues, eddies, and pour-overs
• Learn/practice play-boating techniques
• Recognize and avoid river hazards using ferry angles, eddies, and other tricks of the trade