OK, you’ve learned the basics in the pool. You’ve done the strokes, dialed in your outfitting, and you know what it’s like to be under water in the kayak. Maybe you’ve done a few rolls. NOW, it’s time to take it to the elements. Northwest River Guides will introduce you and your new found skills to the river! We’ll introduce you to river features like eddies, pour overs, rivulets, and even a standing wave while you learn skills in the elements!

As a Northwest River Guides student, you’ll learn fundamental skills like peel outs, eddy turns and ferries. Using these skills allows kayakers to be the most maneuverable craft on the river, avoiding rocks and other obstacles and heading where you intend. You’ll learn about river hazards & obstacles, self rescue, river scouting, etc. We’ll teach you on class 1-2 rapids, which should help build your confidence. These are the green circles of kayaking. You’ll need to have had a pool class or NRG’s introductory class to qualify for this lesson.

Date: November 28th

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Equipment provided. Call 503-772-1122 to reserve your place!

Learning to Eskimo roll is an important part of whitewater kayaking. you may have heard that it is difficult or complicated but that is not the case when taught properly. Northwest River Guides teaches the foundations of the roll first, then progresses onward as you learn! Most students learn to roll in 1-2 lessons. After that it is on to learn to roll on your offside, back deck and hand roll. We also teach more advanced techniques such as sculling, draws and paddle dexterity drills during the class.

Call 503-772-1122 to enroll!

Where: USA Athletics, 8333 NE Russell St, Portland

When: 8:00 – 9:30 p.m.

Equipment: We provide the paddling equipment if necessary. But you should bring swim goggles and a nose plug!

Got those pool classes in? Now it’s time to bring your skills outside. You’re gonna put yourself in the elements – and that’s where you belong. Learn the skills you’ll need to start using the river’s parts - eddies, rivulets, pour overs, standing waves – to your advantage, and more. We’ll show you peel outs, eddy turns, ferries, how to catch a wave, and maybe a river roll!

As a Northwest River Guides student, you’ll learn fundamental skills like peel outs, eddy turns and ferries. Using these skills allows kayakers to be the most maneuverable craft on the river, avoiding rocks and other obstacles and heading where you intend. You’ll learn about river hazards & obstacles, self rescue, river scouting, etc. We’ll teach you on class 1-2 rapids, which should help build your confidence. These are the green circles of kayaking. You’ll need to have had a pool class or NRG’s introductory class to qualify for this lesson.

Date: November 14th

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Equipment provided. Call 503-772-1122 to reserve your place!

This is our first ‘baby steps’ class introducing the new student to kayaking! We teach this class in a pool because they’re warm and mistake friendly. Be prepared to get wet! You’ll learn kayak nomenclature, stretches, how to adjust your outfitting to suit your body, and then we’ll hit the pool.

You’ll learn how to wet exit, brace and Eskimo rescue, all prerequisites to learning your roll. We’ll cover basic paddle strokes. We keep the student/instructor ratio to 4:1 so everyone gets maximum attention.

Date: 11/4

Time: 8 – 9:30 p.m.

Location: USA Athletics, 8333 NE Russell St., Portland, OR

Call 503-772-1122 to sign up for this class!

If you find swift eddies and standing waves frightful, save your soul with a confidence inspiring river class taught by our professional instructors at Northwest River Guides. We’ll teach you the skills necessary to get out there and start enjoying whitewater kayaking on some of Portland, Oregon’s famous neighborhood rivers.

As Northwest River Guides student, you’ll learn fundamental skills like peel outs, eddy turns and ferries. Using these skills allows kayakers to be the most maneuverable craft on the river, avoiding rocks and other obstacles and heading where you intend. You’ll learn about river hazards & obstacles, self rescue, river scouting, etc. We’ll teach you on class 1-2 rapids, which should help build your confidence. These are the green circles of kayaking. You’ll need to have had a pool class or NRG’s introductor class to qualify for this lesson.

Date: Halloween, October 31

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Equipment provided. Call 503-772-1122 to reserve your place!

Come learn to kayak in warm, mistake-friendly environment of a pool! We’re offering a lesson October 21st. Be prepared to get wet – you’ll learn kayak nomenclature, fit, stretching and then wet exits, braces, strokes, and t-rescue. At the conclusion of the class we’ll begin to work on your Eskimo roll!

Call 503-772-1122 to register!

Where: USA Athletics, 8333 NE Russell St, Portland

Time: 8:00 – 9:30 p.m.

Equipment: We’ll provide you with the boat and paddling equipment. You’ll need a bathing suit, towel, and it’s a good idea to have nose plugs and swim goggles.

Fall’s here and that means rain, and that means the rivers are rising! It’s nectar of the GODS! Soon, our rivers will be refreshed, recharged, re-energized with life-giving water! And that water is what we need to enjoy whitewater.

To prepare yourself for the Northwest’s best season for paddling – winter – you should take some professional instruction with Northwest River Guides! We’ll take you down the “bunny slopes” near Portland in water that will give you confidence to tackle the blue squares and black diamonds. There, we’ll tune up your peel outs, eddy turns, your river roll, your edging and your bracing.

We’ll also provide you with all the equipment you need to enjoy your time on the river – the kayak, paddle, spray skirt, PFD, helmet. You’ll be all set. And, if anything should go awry our instructors are there LICKETY SPLIT to help you out!

Call 503-722-1122 to reserve your place. Our weekend classes run 9-1 Saturday.

Join us in the pool Wednesday night and learn paddle strokes, edging, bracing, t-rescues and even dial in your eskimo roll!

Where: USA Athletics, off NE 82nd Avenue

When: October 7th 8:00 – 9:30

We’ll provide you with a boat, paddle, spray skirt – call 503-772-1122 to register for this class!

This Sunday is your last chance in 2009 to participate in the Portland Oregon’s best combo package: Beginner kayak lessons with Northwest River Guides AND the oppty to try a kayak from Next Adventure!

We’ve been doing it all summer. People from all over are taking advantage of this famous deal! If you have not heard of it yet – here is the scoop: Reserve a kayak and get a lesson! That’s it. You call us and reserve a boat that fits, show up at Sellwood Riverfront Park at 9:00 a.m. Sunday.  You’ll try out a kayak first-hand AND get professional instruction so that you can head out on your own!

Here’s what you’ll learn: You’ll learn about the parts of the kayak like deck, hull and cockpit. By the end you’ll know how to enter your boat and set up the cockpit comfortably. You’ll also learn how to hold and use the paddle! There’ll be instruction on safety too.

Then you’ll head out on the Willamette River to Ross Island, one of Portland, Oregon’s best kept secrets. There, you’ll see ospreys, blue herons, kingfishers, and probably a pair of nesting bald eagles!

When done you’ll also receive goodies like 10% discounts on Next Adventure merchandise!

To reserve your spot call 503-722-1122, visit Next Adventure at 426 SE Grand Avenue, or use their online reservation sytem at http://shop.nextadventure.net/ross-island-kayak-tour.html

If you’re in town Sunday September 6th, why not bookend your summer with a beginner kayak lesson with Northwest River Guides, while trying out a kayak from Next Adventure! We’ve been teaching to packed classes Sundays all summer at Sellwood Park in Portland, Oregon! This opporunity gives you it all – the chance to try a kayak from Next Adventure for yourself, an introductory kayak lesson, and a guided tour of the Willamette River from Sellwood Park to Ross Island!

You’ll get all the instruction you need to begin exploring kayaking on your own. We’ll show you the cockpit, the terms, the seat, the foot pegs, and the adjustments. Then we’ll teach you proper paddling technique. And then, it’s off to the river to practice and even more tips. You’ll see the interesting floating homes, plus birds on Ross Island like blue herons, ospreys, kingfishers, and if you’re lucky a nesting pair of our national symbol, the bald eagle.

But you can’t just show up. You need to register at 503-722-1122, or stop by the Kayaks Department at Next Adventure, or use their online registration system.