Whitewater Kayaking

Planning a first whitewater kayak day? These guides cover who can start, clinic versus raft versus rec rental, swimming, clothes, cost, and whether you need a roll. Search a ZIP when you are ready to find an operator.

The first-timer product is a clinic or a guided inflatable on Class I–II/III, not a lake sit-on-top. Lake rental: Kayak. Raft: Whitewater Rafting.

Start here

• Can Anyone Whitewater Kayak?
• Whitewater Kayak vs Rec Kayak vs Raft
• Do I Need a Roll?
• Is Whitewater Kayaking Hard?
• What Does Whitewater Kayaking Feel Like?
• What to Wear Whitewater Kayaking
• What to Bring to a Whitewater Kayak Clinic
• Common First-Time Whitewater Kayak Questions

Planning

• How Much Does a Whitewater Kayak Clinic Cost?
• Inflatable vs Hard-Shell for Beginners
• Where to Learn Whitewater Kayaking in the United States

Quick Facts

• Clinic first, not a lake rental
• Roll is taught, not required day one on many duckies
• Swim is part of the brief
• Best first step: Whitewater Kayak vs Rec Kayak vs Raft