Our objective is to help you build your confidence. Safety in paddlesports is all about judgement. Judgement is a combination of knowing your limit and being aware of factors affecting your situation: gear, weather, and other people.
Participation in our instruction programs will give you the opportunity to learn more effective paddling technique, to have better boat control and to simply have more fun on the water.
For all Courses we recommend that participants be comfortable in the water and know how to swim. If you are new to the sport of paddling or just want to progress at your own speed then start with a private lesson. Then you could move up to one of our Fundamentals courses.
At the beginning of the paddling season, we highly advise refreshing your skills with a Self-Rescue Workshop.
Sign your children up for their own paddling workshop. Children learn best when having fun with their peers. This Tuesday/Thursday program allows them to experience a variety of paddling crafts and techniques.
Freestyle Canoeing is based on a quiet, ripple-less paddling technique. You and your canoe learn to dance on the water.
Lessons in River Paddling, Sea Kayaking and Whitewater each involve different waterways and focus on specialized techniques and crafts.
Our rolling clinics can be in a whitewater boat or a sea kayak. Kayakers interested in sea kayaking, river paddling or rolling clinics must be comfortable with a "wet exit" and be a good swimmer.
Still not sure what's right for you? Give us a call. Together we'll find the right fit
all the exciting courses we have to offer. | |||
| Private Instructions | Fundamentals of Canoeing | Fundamentals of Kayaking | Self Rescue Workshop |
| River Paddling Instruction | Whitewater Paddling Instruction | Sea Kayaking Instruction | Children's Paddling Workshop |
Private Instruction
Benefits of Instruction are:
- Increased confidence as a paddler
- Ability to read the river
- A better understanding of stroke dynamics
- Ability to effectively maneuver your boat
- A better knowledge of limits under difficult conditions.
- Knowledge of how to run a safe trip.
- A better knowledge of boat design and performance.
Private Instruction is your best value because it's tailored to your time and need. Below are some examples of the benefits of private instruction:
- A learning curve to suit your need.
- Individualized attention
- Teaching style can be matched to your learning style.
A half day lesson provides 3 hours of instruction. A full day lesson provides 6 hours. You should expect 1/2 hour of outfitting prep time, at the beginning or end of the day. Half day lessons start at 9:00 am or 1:00 pm. Full day lessons start at 9:00am. Please arrive 1/2 hour early for registration and personal preparation.
| Rates for Private Instruction | |||||
| 1 Person | 2 person | 3 person | 4 person | 5 person | |
| Half Day Canoe | $145 | $125 | $105 | $85 | $65 |
| Full Day Canoe | $195 | $165 | $135 | $105 | $89 |
Per person rates are based on the number of people in your party
Hourly lessons can be arranged for $80 for the first hour and $60 for each additional hour.
Learning The Basics
Fundamentals of Canoeing, Full Day Cost $115
This one day introduction to open canoeing is intended for either the novice or the person who would like to make their paddling more efficient. Morning topics include: nomenclature equipment, transporting your canoe, strokes and rescues. Afternoon topics are positions, maneuvers and emergencies.
Canoe Fundamentals group classes meet every Thursday, from 9am-4:30pm at our Saranac Lake Base. Lunch is on your own.
Fundamentals of Kayaking - Full Day Cost $125
This one day introduction to kayaking is intended for either the novice or someone interested in becoming a more efficient paddler. Morning topics include: nomenclature, equipment, transporting your craft, strokes, maneuvers and emergencies. Afternoon topics covered are maneuvers and emergencies.
Kayak Fundamentals group classes meet every Tuesday, from 9am-4:30pm at our Saranac Lake Base. Lunch is on your own.
River Paddling Instruction
This two day introduction on flat and moving water is intended for those who are comfortable paddling stern on flatwater and are interested in learning the basics of river canoeing or kayaking. Choose either course River Canoeing or River Kayaking. We will review and sharpen the basics of flatwater and then cover the following topics: reading moving water, safety in moving water, special paddle strokes and maneuvers including ferries, eddy turns and landing in currents.
This two day course is based in our Saranac River Base. Included are two days instruction and use of all paddling gear including canoe or kayak and shuttle to and from the river.
River
Canoeing - Cost $179
DATES: 2008: May 10, 17; June 14, 28; July 19, 26; Aug 9, 23; Sept 13.
DATES: 2009: May 9, 16; June 13, 20; July 18, 25; Aug 8, 22; Sept 12
River Kayaking - Cost $179
DATES: 2008: May 10, 24; June 7; July 12, 19; Aug 9, 16; Sept 6.
DATES: 2009: May 9, 23; June 6; July 11, 18; Aug 8, 15; Sept 5
Whitewater Paddling Instruction
This one day course is offered for those who want to continue beyond the two day Basic River Paddling Course. We will be paddling in class II water, You may choose Whitewater Canoeing or Whitewater Kayaking, We will cover the following topics: strokes-power, turning and bracing strokes. Maneuvers; ferries, eddy turns and peel outs, river running, strategies and self rescue techniques.
Whitewater Canoeing - Cost $119
DATES: 2008: May 5, 26; June 16, 30; July 21; Sept 8, 22.
DATES: 2009: May 4, 25; June 15, 29; July 20; Sept 7, 21.
Whitewater Kayaking - Cost $119
DATES: 2008: May 19; June 9; July 7, 14; Sept 8, 15, 29.
DATES: 2009: May 18; June 8; July 6, 13; Sept 7, 14, 28.
Sea Kayaking Instruction
This one day course, held on Lake Champlain is for those who would like to extend their paddling to coastal and larger inland waters. Topics include: Equipment, entry and exit in surf, tides and current, navigation, and deepwater and self rescue.
Sea Kayaking - Cost $159
DATES: Thursdays 2008: June 5; July 3; Aug 7; Sept 4.
DATES: Thursdays 2009: June 4; July 2; Aug 6; Sept 3.
Self Rescue Workshop* - Cost $99
Personal safety is the focus of this kayak workshop. Here in the Adirondacks, a wet exit often starts the hypothermia clock ticking. During this day, you will learn how to efficiently get back into your recreational kayak or sea kayak to save yourself and to be in a position to help others quickly. We cover wet exits, assisted rescues including the T-rescue, and solo reentry. This is not a rolling workshop. Bring your own boat, skirt, pump, paddle float and lunch. Be prepared to spend the day in and out of water. *By Arrangement
Children's Paddling Workshop - Cost $35 ( Ages 8-12 )
Basic water safety, boat handling, strokes and maneuvers will help your child gain self confidence. Each child will have an opportunity to try out a wide variety of craft in both solo and tandem. Participants must be able to swim.
Summer: Tuesday and Thursday 1:30-4pm. Cost $35/session. Meets in Saranac Lake.
Terminology
Double Paddle solo canoe - Usually a short canoe with a hull shape somewhat like a recreational kayak (without a deck) in which the shallow seat sets on the floor and is paddled with a double bladed kayak paddle
Keel - traditionally a strip of wood on the exterior center line of a boat. Historically the keel helped seal the two pieces covering the outside of the boat. Most paddle crafts today do not have a keel at all and the term keel line is used to denote that part of the boat
Onside/offside - terms refer to paddling side of the boat for each paddler. Onside is the side on which normal strokes are taken. Offside strokes are made on the opposite side of the boat without switching hand positions on the paddle shaft.
Recreational kayak - a multi-use short kayak that is generally shorter than 12 feet and usually has a larger cockpit opening for ease of entry and exit
Rocker - curvature along the keel line of a boat. Whitewater boats are more rockered or banana shaped to facilitate turning.
Sea kayak - a longer usually narrower kayak with a more constricting and drier cockpit
SOT - it on top kayak (one with no fixed cover over the cockpit)
Touring kayak - often a rudderless kayak that is usually 13 to 15 feet in length
St. Regis Canoe Outfitters
518-891-1838 Fax: 518-891-6405
Toll-Free: 888-SR KAYAK (888-775-2925)
Website: www.canoeoutfitters.com · E-mail: info@canoeoutfitters.com
Saranac River Base
73 Dorsey Street
Saranac Lake, NY 12983
518-891-1838
Floodwood Base
Floodwood Rd at Long Pond Portage
Lake Clear, New York
518-891-8040
© St. Regis Canoe Outfitters · Design: Rainbow Graphics
You are the 
visitor. Thank you for stopping by.
Terminology
Double Paddle solo canoe - Usually a short canoe with a hull shape somewhat like a recreational kayak (without a deck) in which the shallow seat sets on the floor and is paddled with a double bladed kayak paddle
Keel - traditionally a strip of wood on the exterior center line of a boat. Historically the keel helped seal the two pieces covering the outside of the boat. Most paddle crafts today do not have a keel at all and the term keel line is used to denote that part of the boat
Onside/offside - terms refer to paddling side of the boat for each paddler. Onside is the side on which normal strokes are taken. Offside strokes are made on the opposite side of the boat without switching hand positions on the paddle shaft.
Recreational kayak - a multi-use short kayak that is generally shorter than 12 feet and usually has a larger cockpit opening for ease of entry and exit
Rocker - curvature along the keel line of a boat. Whitewater boats are more rockered or banana shaped to facilitate turning.
Sea kayak - a longer usually narrower kayak with a more constricting and drier cockpit
SOT - it on top kayak (one with no fixed cover over the cockpit)
Touring kayak - often a rudderless kayak that is usually 13 to 15 feet in length
St. Regis Canoe Outfitters
518-891-1838 Fax: 518-891-6405
Toll-Free: 888-SR KAYAK (888-775-2925)
Website: www.canoeoutfitters.com · E-mail: info@canoeoutfitters.com
Toll-Free: 888-SR KAYAK (888-775-2925)
Website: www.canoeoutfitters.com · E-mail: info@canoeoutfitters.com
Saranac River Base
73 Dorsey Street
Saranac Lake, NY 12983
518-891-1838
Saranac Lake, NY 12983
518-891-1838
Floodwood Base
Floodwood Rd at Long Pond Portage
Lake Clear, New York
518-891-8040
Lake Clear, New York
518-891-8040
© St. Regis Canoe Outfitters · Design: Rainbow Graphics
You are the visitor. Thank you for stopping by.