Hello,

I'm a Class III+ boater out in California and I'd like to come up north for a weekend of paddling. I'd like to pay a company for some private instruction. What companies offer private instruction that would also have good Class III+ options in the area? I found Wet Planet Whitewater based near the White Salmon River in Oregon but I hear that's more an area for Class IV/V boating. I hear Eugene and Corvallis are better for Class III but can't find any outfitters who do private kayaking instruction...

I could use any help or advice you have! I'm open to Oregon, Washington, and Idaho... I'm looking to spend three days and hopefully do three different rivers or sections of river. Thanks!

Edited by kirbz - 06 Mar 2012 at 4:01pm

Hi Chris, thanks for the recommendation! What Class III stretch are you talking about?

You dont have to pay us, I love class III-IV and like taking anyone down. I also dont mind teaching for free, I dont belive you should have to pay to play...just my thoughts that everyone should be able to enjoy kayaking for free and pay it forward.

 

It's an old concept, "paying it forward" and I think it got lost somewhere in our capitalist society...

Edited by dave - 06 Mar 2012 at 6:02pm

Dave, that's a very kind offer. Fortunately, I don't think that "paying it forward" is a totally forgotten notion. However, in general, I prefer to pay for my instruction. I'm a wee bit fearful out on the river and don't like to impose my fear and insecurity on some kind person who offered to help. Also, for whatever reason, I feel a bit safer knowing I paid someone to keep me safe. :-) However, I may take you up on your offer someday when I'm a little more confident and established in my boating .

You might want to try calling all of these companies and find out where they would do their instruction. The Middle White Salmon has recently received quite a bit of woody debris and from some of the pictures I've seen it looks a little more class IV than III+. The Skykomish in Index Wa is all III+ with the exception of Boulder Drop rapid which is in the IV+ range.

Sorry about the little rant there...it just seems like every time I turn around someone is trying to make a buck off of someone, even for simple things. Probably right about paying for safety though, then you know they will be watching and concentrating on you all the time.

I recieved all of my lessons for free and feel obligated to help others in the same way.

Another vote for Wet Planet. See if Andy Round is available on your desired weekend - top notch. But so are the other instructors I have had there.

I feel like there is a difference between paying for instruction and having a buddy help you. In general a paid instructor in a private will pay much more attention to your learning style and the finer details of your technique.  The instructor is solely there for your learning experience, and the river trip will be tailored personally to you.  I have taken lots of folks on the river for fun to teach them how to kayak, and I can say that the environment and teacher / student relationship is different for a paying customer.  Besides, there is always the benefit of supporting the kayaking community and lifestyle by paying for instruction!

Wet planet is great, and there are always a few good private instructors running around every river.

Good luck

Thanks everyone! I do think I'll give Wet Planet a try; quite a few enthusiastic recommendations! Although I'll probably look up Outdoor Adventure Center in Index and give the Washington rivers a try as well. I do love me some adventures. :-)

I'll let everyone know how the trips go. Thanks again!!