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Introduction To
Standup Paddleboard

This is a great first step in learning how to maneuver a standup paddleboard (SUP). The class is taught using SUPs that offer the most stability for beginning paddlers. You will learn about carrying, launching, basic strokes, balancing, and maneuvers. Jumpstart your paddling with one of Umiak's ACA certified instructors. If you rent a SUP and decide to buy, one rental price will be deducted from your purchase. Umiak has the largest showroom of stand up paddleboards in Vermont, so come in and test our inventory.

SCHEDULE

PRICING

Call For More Infomation

Open Enrollment

$79 Per Person

Private Lesson

$159 Per Person

Reserve your tour online through

our calendar or call 802-253-2317

Waterbury Reservoir,

Waterbury Center, Vermont

In two hours Umiak's kayaking expert Sawyer was able to take a family that had never kayaked before and made us completely comfortable to do a 4 hour river trip the next day. The instruction was easy and personalized. Sawyer fielded all sort of different questions and built our confidence. He definitely was the introduction we needed to the sport.

Introduction Standup Paddleboard

Introduction To
Kayaking

This is a great first step to learning about kayaking. The class is taught in recreational kayaks, which offer the stability that new paddlers need. We will learn about carrying kayaks, launching and getting out of our kayaks, basic paddling strokes, and maneuvering your craft. Learn the right way right from the start. 

Two hours of good instruction is worth two years of trial and error.

SCHEDULE

PRICING

Call For More Infomation

Open Enrollment

$79 Per Person

Private Lesson

$159 Per Person

Reserve your tour online through

our calendar or call 802-253-2317

Waterbury Reservoir,

Waterbury Center, Vermont

In two hours Umiak's kayaking expert Sawyer was able to take a family that had never kayaked before and made us completely comfortable to do a 4 hour river trip the next day. The instruction was easy and personalized. Sawyer fielded all sort of different questions and built our confidence. He definitely was the introduction we needed to the sport.

Introduction Kayaking

Introduction To
Canoeing

This is a great first step to learning about canoeing. The class is taught in tandem recreational canoes, which offer the stability that new paddlers need. We will learn about carrying canoes, launching and getting out of our canoes, basic paddling strokes, and maneuvering your craft. Learn the right way right from the start. 

Two hours of good instruction is worth two years of trial and error.

SCHEDULE

PRICING

Call For More Infomation

Open Enrollment

$79 Per Person

Private Lesson

$159 Per Person

Reserve your tour online through

our calendar or call 802-253-2317

Waterbury Reservoir,

Waterbury Center, Vermont

In two hours Umiak's kayaking expert Sawyer was able to take a family that had never kayaked before and made us completely comfortable to do a 4 hour river trip the next day. The instruction was easy and personalized. Sawyer fielded all sort of different questions and built our confidence. He definitely was the introduction we needed to the sport.

Introduction Canoeing

White Water 
Kayaking Instruction

This class is designed to introduce you to the exciting sport of whitewater paddling. The class will cover basic strokes, maneuvers, and techniques needed to safely and confidently paddle a kayak in whitewater rapids. Classes include the use of the latest boats and equipment and are taught by ACA certified instructors.

SCHEDULE

PRICING

Call For More Infomation

Roll or Proficient Wet Exit Required

Open Enrollment

$199 Per Person

Private Lesson

$299 Per Person

Reserve your tour online through

our calendar or call 802-253-2317

Waterbury Reservoir,

Waterbury Center, Vermont

In two hours Umiak's kayaking expert Sawyer was able to take a family that had never kayaked before and made us completely comfortable to do a 4 hour river trip the next day. The instruction was easy and personalized. Sawyer fielded all sort of different questions and built our confidence. He definitely was the introduction we needed to the sport.

White Water Kayaking

Kayak Rescue
Techniques

Capsizes happen - even to the best kayakers. Knowing how to get back into your boat while in deep water will give you confidence in all conditions. We'll talk about dressing for conditions and carrying rescue gear on your boat. Learn and practice proper wet exits, as well as re-entry. Review the proper technique for forward, reverse, and draw strokes. We'll learn to rescue ourselves and others with Eskimo, 'T' and paddle float rescues.

SCHEDULE

PRICING

Call For More Infomation

Open Enrollment

$79 Per Person

Private Lesson

$159 Per Person

Reserve your tour online through

our calendar or call 802-253-2317

Waterbury Reservoir,

Waterbury Center, Vermont

In two hours Umiak's kayaking expert Sawyer was able to take a family that had never kayaked before and made us completely comfortable to do a 4 hour river trip the next day. The instruction was easy and personalized. Sawyer fielded all sort of different questions and built our confidence. He definitely was the introduction we needed to the sport.

Kayak Rescue Techniques

Kayak
Rolling

Rolling is a must-have skill for those inspired to learn whitewater kayaking or offshore kayak touring. When you capsize your boat, it is more convenient, less tiring and most importantly, safer to roll back up than it is to swim your boat back to shore, dump it out, and then climb back in. It is also a helpful skill to know if you are planning a trip into open water with your touring kayak, in which self-rescue re-entry may be difficult and it might not be possible to swim your boat back to shore. We'll cover wet exits and teach you the modified "C to C" roll technique, broken down into easy steps, then coordinated into a fluid roll.

SCHEDULE

PRICING

Call For More Infomation

Open Enrollment

$79 Per Person

Private Lesson

$159 Per Person

Reserve your tour online through

our calendar or call 802-253-2317

Waterbury Reservoir,

Waterbury Center, Vermont

In two hours Umiak's kayaking expert Sawyer was able to take a family that had never kayaked before and made us completely comfortable to do a 4 hour river trip the next day. The instruction was easy and personalized. Sawyer fielded all sort of different questions and built our confidence. He definitely was the introduction we needed to the sport.

Kayak Rolling

Sea Kayaking
Essentials

This full-day program on Vermont's inland sea, Lake Champlain, is the perfect beginner or refresher course for paddlers who want to experience open-water kayaking on lakes and oceans. We'll start off the day learning about boat design and features, important paddling accessories, and safety practices. Next, we'll move onto learning and demonstrating proper paddling techniques, followed by solo and assisted offshore rescues.

The day finishes with a tour on the lake. Depending on conditions and group abilities, we'll either head south to the Burlington waterfront or north along the cliffs of Lone Rock Point and Appletree Bay.

SCHEDULE

PRICING

Call For More Infomation

Open Enrollment

$199 Per Person

Private Lesson

$299 Per Person

Reserve your tour online through

our calendar or call 802-253-2317

Waterbury Reservoir,

Waterbury Center, Vermont

In two hours Umiak's kayaking expert Sawyer was able to take a family that had never kayaked before and made us completely comfortable to do a 4 hour river trip the next day. The instruction was easy and personalized. Sawyer fielded all sort of different questions and built our confidence. He definitely was the introduction we needed to the sport.

Sea Kayaking Essentials

ACA Certifications

American Canoe Association ( ACA ) founded in 1880 is a national nonprofit organization serving the broader paddling public by providing education related to all aspects of paddling as well as stewardship support to help protect paddling environments; and sanctioning programs and events to promote paddlesport competition, exploration, and recreation. The ACA is nationally recognized as the governing body for paddlesports. Instructor certification workshops are designed for individuals who want to teach flatwater, moving water, and/or white water in canoeing, kayaking, and/or standup paddleboarding disciplines.

The ACA National Paddlesports Instruction Program has been acknowledged as the premier paddlesports education program throughout the United States and in over 30 countries. Through the efforts of the ACA National Office and the Safety Education & Instruction Council (SEIC), course curricula and educational resources are developed and made available to the general public, instructors, partners, and the outdoor industry.

As a member of the ACA, you join the ranks of tens of thousands of people who support safe, enjoyable paddling, and the protection of America’s recreational waterways. Click Here to learn about the tangible and intangible benefits of supporting the nation’s oldest paddlesport organization.

ACA Cetifications
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