Summer is right around the corner, and kayaking is a great way to enjoy Georgia's wonderful outdoors! Nationally certified volunteer instructors from the American Canoe Association have partnered with the US Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Allatoona, Trust for Public Land/Chattahoochee RiverLands, and Georgia Power to offer low-cost Kayaking 101 classes to kick off National Safe Boating Week, which takes place on May 17, 2025, from 10am-4pm.
Nationally certified ACA instructors from across Georgia are volunteering their time to offer you a special opportunity to take these classes for just $15 to help celebrate National Safe Boating Week.
Typically, these same classes would cost between $75 and $150! We are limited to 15 slots per class so sign up now! A limited number of Kayaks will be provided at each location if you sign up for a kayak at registration but everyone is welcome to bring their own kayak, as well. All types of kayaks are welcome.
If you are new to paddling, looking to meet paddling friends or have had a bad experience and are looking to learn a better way to go about it, sign up now.
Below is a short list of the types of things that will be covered in the LAKE/OPEN WATER classes:
- Trip planning, preparation, and prevention
- What equipment you should carry
- Parts of the boat, parts of the paddle
- Understanding how bulkheads/floatation help make you safer
- How to properly carry & transport your boat
- Basic posture for full body paddling and boat control
- Basic paddling strokes
- How to get in and out of your boat properly
- How to re-enter a kayak if you capsize in deep water (multiple methods for self and assisted rescue)
- How to empty a swamped boat
- How to tow a swimmer
Below is a short list of the types of things that will be covered in the RIVER class at New Riverlands Park on the Chattahoochee River:
- Trip planning, preparation, and prevention
- What equipment you should carry
- Parts of the boat, parts of the paddle
- Understanding how bulkheads/floatation help make you safer
- How to properly carry & transport your boat
- Basic posture for full body paddling and boat control
- Basic paddling strokes
- How to get in and out of your boat properly
- Basic river reading skills
- Moving water skills to control your boat and avoid obstacles: edging, how to cross an eddy line to catch an eddy, how to cross an eddy line to go straight, peel out into the current, ferry across a river without moving downstream, S-turn
If you need to borrow a kayak, paddle and life jacket, you will have the option to add one to your registration at no extra charge during the registration process. Georgia Rivers and other sponsors are making this gear available to you at no charge as a special opportunity for this class during National Safe Boating Week.
What to bring:
- Camp chair
- Plenty of Water to drink
- Sunscreen or hat
- Strap for your glasses
- Lunch and snacks (We will break for lunch but we will all eat together and then resume the class so we all need to bring our lunches.)
What to wear: Keep in mind we will be paddling and practicing skills for what to do if you capsize, so you will get wet. Quick drying fabrics and shorts are better forpaddling than cotton clothing…which will just keep you wet and cold all day. Please do not wear flip flops. Closed-toe river shoes or sneakers are perfect. You need shoes that attach at your ankles and provide some amount of traction.
Weather: If you are concerned about the weather forecast, you should know we have already prepared for class to convene under shelter on land rain or shine so that you can at least get the benefit of on land education. Your nationally certified ACA Lead Instructor will make appropriate determinations about whether or not and when to get on water to keep everyone safe, and you will always have the option to decide about your level of participation. So plan to join us even if Georgia weather is not totally cooperating!!
Due to special nature of this class and the way the partnership brings so many volunteers together to deliver these classes for National Safe Boating Week, we are unable to provide refunds. Thank you for understanding these constraints.
See a full list of available classes and sign up HERE. There is one class being provided in Savannah. The class will be located at Skidaway Island, Rodney Hall Boat Ramp, 25 Diamond Causeway, Savannah, GA.
All registrants must be 10 years or older and must be able to swim and paddle independently. Minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult and have a waiver signed by a legal guardian.
Price is $15.00.
