Northwest River Guides teaches beginner kayak lesson in Portland, OR.  Most whitewater kayak classes start out in the pool where we work on the basic maneuvers(strokes) of whitewater kayaking – sweeps, corrections and braces.   We also work on some skills that involve getting wet – the wet exit and eskimo rescue – which is why pools are so great for learning to kayak.  These classes take place Mon-Wed evening from 8-9:30pm.

Our River Classes are the best introduction to whitewater kayaking.  We learn the basics moves in whitewater kayaking – eddy turns, peel outs and ferries  – and apply them to the river to have fun and be safe.  Classes are taught on the bunny slopes of whitewater, class 1 rapids.  NRG 4 hour River Classes are taught on Saturday at 9am or Sunday at 2pm.

Pool Classes take place at USA Athletics in NE Portland, 8333 NE Russell Street, Portland, OR.

River Classes take place on the Sandy River or the Clackamas River depending on river conditions and levels.

For more information or to register for a class, please call the NRG office at 503.772.1122.

NRG Instructor Mike Gottlieb on Canyon Creek

Northwest River Guides teaches whitewater kayak lessons and classes in Portland, OR.   Our beginner classes and rolling classes are taught in indoor pools to ease students into the sport of kayaking.  The warm, clear water makes the learning process much easier and allows NRG students to progress rapidly even before they get to the river.

Pool sessions take place on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evening at USA Athletics (formerly Nelson’s Nautilus), just off of 82nd Ave in NE Portland.  To register for a class, please call Lead NRG Instructor Dave Hoffman at 503.447.3534 or visit the Northwest River Guides website.

Take a beginner whitewater kayak lesson with Northwest River Guides, home of the Premier Paddling Instruction in the Pacific Northwest.  The spring is a great time to learn to kayak as the rivers are flowing and sun is shining.  NRG teaches kayak classes just outside of Portland, OR on the Sandy River and the Clackams River.  Both are great for beginners and all of out student have fun and learn a ton.  Check out our website or give us a call(503.772.1122) if you’d like to sign up for a class or have any questions.

Whitewater fun with Northwest River Guides, a Portland kayak school and instructional powerhouse!

Taking a relaxing trip on the Willamette River is one of the best ways to learn to kayak.  Northwest River guides teaches kayak lessons on the Willamette River near Ross Island, close to downtown Portland.  Classes are held throughout the spring, summer and fall.   Check out our website for more information.

Intro to the basics of kayaking before the trip with Northwest River Guides, the best kayak school in Portland, OR.

Northwest River Guides teaches beginner kayak lessons and classes on a variety of the rivers and lakes around Portland.

• Vancouver Lake
• Ross Island
• Willamette Falls
• Columbia River
• Sauvie Island
• Smith and Bybee Lakes

Come learn to kayak with the best kayak school in Portland – Northwest River Guides 503.772.1122

On the water with Northwest River Guides

Are you looking to polish your skills on harder whitewater?
Having trouble making that next step up in difficulty?
Do you want to raise your confidence level as you explore new rivers?
Want to know why you just swam in that last drop?

The Advanced Whitewater Seminar is designed for intermediate, class 2-3 whitewater kayakers looking to step up their game to the next level.  Through a progression of monthly classes students will develop new skills, hone their river running strategies and paddle challenging sections of river. Video analysis is used extensively in this class to maximize students’ learning.

Course curriculum includes:

• Advanced Strokes(C-stroke, gliding draw, duffek & others)
• Beginning Playboating
• Advanced River Reading and Boat-Scouting
• Progressive Stroke Combinations
• Maximizing Your Momentum
• Group Management & Communication
• Foundations of Swiftwater Rescue

And much more.

The course consists of an evening Skills & Drills Workout and an all-day River Class

Schedule: Skills and Drills (8-9:30pm):  April 1, May 13, June 3, July 15, August 12, September 16
River Classes (8am):  , April 4, May 16, June 7, July 18, August 15, September 19

Student-Instructor ratio: 3:1, with a maximum of 6 students in the course

Common Sections of river students will paddle: North Fork of the  Santiam (Packsaddle-Spencer’s), Bruno Mtn. of the North Santiam, Breitenbush River, Jordan Creek, Bull Run of the Sandy, Hood River(Tucker-Marina) and other appropriate sections of river.

Cost: $175/month, $150/month for 2 months, $125/month for 6 months

Questions?  Want to Register?  Contact Dave at 503.772.1122 dave@enrgkayaking.com

Do you want improve your kayaking beyond what you learned as a beginner?
Do you love kayaking and want to get better as fast as you can?
Are you looking for the advanced skills you see other folks use on the river?

The Intermediate Whitewater Seminar is designed for novice and intermediate, class 1-2 whitewater kayakers looking to step up their game to the next level. Through a series of monthly classes, students will build on the skills they learned as beginning kayakers and develop systems to progress on to more difficult whitewater. Video analysis is used extensively in this class to maximize students’ learning.

Course curriculum includes:

• Developing Cross-current Momentum
• Basic River Safety
• River Trip Planning
• Bomb-proofing your roll
• Bow Draws & Sculling
• Surfing
• Offside and Hand Rolls

And much more.

The course consists of an evening Skills & Drills Workout and all-day River Class.

Schedule: Skills and Drills (8-9:30 pm): March 18, April 15, May 20, June 17, July 22, August 19, September 23
River Classes (9am): March 21, April 18, May 23, June 20, July 25, August 22, September 26

Student-Instructor ratio: 3:1, with a maximum of 6 students in the course

Common sections for this class: Dodge-Oxbow (Sandy), Lower Washougal, N. Santiam (Packsaddle-Spencer’s), Mollala (Glen Avon Section), Klickitat, Lower Wilson and others appropriate to group skills and current river levels.

Cost: $175/month, $150/month for 2 months, $125/month for 6 months

Questions? Want to Register? Contact Dave at 503.772.1122 dave@enrgkayaking.com

There is really nothing like a great day of learning to whitewater kayak.  The thrills, the spills and the laughs!  Northwest River Guides teaches our beginner whitewater kayak classes on the lower Clackamas River.  The Clack, as we call it, is a great place to learn because it has water all summer long and into the fall, and has class 1-2 rapids, the “bunny slopes” of whitewater.  These easy sections of whitewater rapids allow for mistakes to be made and chances to try again and again until a student gets it right.  The Clack is only about 20 minutes from downtown Portland making day kayaking trips simple and quick.  Join us for a great time on the river and learn to kayak with Portland’s best kayak school, Northwesr River Guides.  Call 503.772.1122 or check our website for more information.

Gearing up for a beginner kayak lesson on the Clackamas River.