West Virginia Kayak School

Learn to Kayak, In a Custom Kayak Clinic

NARR has the oldest Kayak School in West Virginia. We've taught thousands of people to paddle white water here in Southern West Virginia and on the New and Gauley Rivers.We've learned how to customize each clinic to take your paddling skills to new heights, so get ready for:

Professional Instruction molded to your ability
Top-of-the-line equipment
Whitewater Instruction that fits every skill level
Skills that you can build on after you leave, or for the next time you come back
Insight from boaters who work and play on the river every day

Whether you are new to the whitewater kayaking world or looking to learn new skills, the NARR Kayak School has a clinic just for you. Beginners love the evening introduction on our calm 5-acre lake at NARR. Many new paddlers get their first rolls here on our lake.
Nearby, we've got the New River, the Gauley River, and the Cherry River, which create perfect floating classrooms for paddlers of any skill level. Choose from beginner group clinic on the river or we can customize your own private whitewater kayaking experience.

Evening Jump Start

Evening Jump Start KAYAK Clinic:

The Jump Start is a great introduction to whitewater kayaking and provides instruction on the essentials to getting on the river. We will spend our time on NARR Lake covering proper paddle technique, balance, braces and the Eskimo roll. With the guidance from your NARR guide, many of our participants pick up the kayak roll very quickly and will be ready to hit the river with confidence.

Cost: $59
Trip Length: 2 Hours
Season: June-August
Minimum Age: 12
Equipment Provided: Kayak, Paddle, Skirt, PFD, Helmet

Introduction

Introduction to Whitewater Kayaking - Full Day(s)

Kayak Clinic for Beginner Paddlers (Group Clinic):
This Full Day clinic will get you out paddling on the river navigating through class II and III whitewater with help from your professional kayak instructor. This course will cover the essentials of whitewater kayaking on land and in calm water at the start of the trip. Once you feel comfortable in your new craft we will work our way downstream learning river reading skills, proper paddle technique and river safety.

Cost: $170 per day
Trip Length: 5-6 Hours / 1-5 Days
Meals: Riverside Deli Lunch
Season: June-August
Minimum Age: 12
Equipment Provided: Kayak, Paddle, Skirt, PFD, Helmet

Kayak 201

Whitewater Kayaking 201 - Full Day(s)

Kayak Clinic for Novice/Intermediate Paddlers (Private Clinic):
So you have the basics of whitewater kayaking but want to step up your game? The Kayaking 201 course here at NARR will bring your paddling skill and technique to the next level. We will paddle one of the premier whitewater runs in the area while working on river reading skills, paddle technique, eddy hopping, and advanced ferry techniques.

Cost: $250 per day
Trip Length: 5-6 Hours / 1-5 Days
Meals: Riverside Deli Lunch
Season: April-October
Minimum Age: 12
Equipment Provided: Kayak, Paddle, Skirt, PFD, Helmet

Playboat

Playboat Clinics (Private Clinic)

Do you want to learn how to surf your kayak on those nice glassy waves or throw down in a big juicy hole? Let one of NARR's kayak instructors get you playing on the river. Whether you are new to playboating or wanting to learn the next big trick, the New and Gauley Rivers offer a wide range of playspots to bring your game to the next level.

Cost: $250 per day
Trip Length: 5-6 Hours / 1-5 Days
Meals: Riverside Deli Lunch
Season: April-October
Minimum Age: 12
Equipment Provided: Kayak, Paddle, Skirt, PFD, Helmet

Advance

Advanced Clinics (Private Clinic)

Southern West Virginia has long been known as a phenomenal area to huck yourself off some big drops. This region also offers the Intermediate to Advanced paddler a great opportunity to learn new skills for running tighter and steeper rivers. Let our professional instructors bring your river running to the next level. Learn new skills or fine tune old ones like the all-important boof, boat control, advance river reading skills, and safety.

Cost: $250 per day
Trip Length: 5-6 Hours / 1-5 Days
Meals: Riverside Deli Lunch
Season: April-October
Minimum Age: 16
Equipment Provided: Kayak, Paddle, Skirt, PFD, Helmet

New River

The New River Gorge Experience (Private Clinic)

The New River Gorge is one of the premier whitewater runs in the United States and kayakers have been navigating this beautiful deep canyon for over 60 years. You too can experience why so many paddlers have fallen in love with the phenomenal taste of big water like nothing else in the East. We will show you a variety of ways to run the 20+ rapids found in the gorge while providing a safety net when that combat roll doesn't get you upright. Our instructors can also provide refinement to your paddle technique and river running strategies. Previous whitewater kayaking experience is required for this trip while some rapids on the New River are considered class V in difficulty.

Cost: $250 per day
Trip Length: 5-6 Hours / 1-5 Days
Meals: Riverside Deli Lunch
Season: June - September
Minimum Age: 16
Equipment Provided: Kayak, Paddle, Skirt, PFD, Helmet

Gauley River

The Fall Gauley Experience (Private Clinic)

The Gauley River is known around the globe for having some of the best whitewater known to man. Let our professional kayak instructors guide you down the world-class whitewater in the heart of the Gauley Canyon. The Lower Gauley offers big waves, long rapids and a scenic river gorge experience that is suitable for Intermediate boaters who have paddled the Lower New or similar river sections.

Cost: $250 per day
Trip Length: 5-6 Hours
Meals: Riverside Deli Lunch
Season: Release Days in September and October
Minimum Age: 18
Equipment Provided: Kayak, Paddle, Skirt, PFD, Helmet

Kayak clinics at NARR are offered on any day of the week, rain or shine from May through August. Every clinic is customized to address the skills each student wants to learn. So get out and learn one of the countries hottest new sports from West Virginia’s oldest kayak school!

Questions about availability? Need more info on our Kayak School?
Give us a call at 800.950.2585

A $3.00 per person, per guided activity Resource Use Fee is applied to each reservation.

Release Forms

Download our Rafting & Adventure Activities Liability Waiver