Kayak Instruction - From the Beginning

We have a passion for kayaking and would love to share it with you! The Youghiogheny River runs from mild to wild, providing the ultimate classroom and allowing us to teach you your first paddle stroke to your first drop over a waterfall. Let us open the world of whitewater kayaking to you, but be careful, you may never want to leave.

We help you to build a solid foundation of proper technique, confidence and control while enjoying the scenic river valley of the Laurel Highlands. Our guaranteed novice programs start from the very beginning with a smooth and supportive introduction to this amazing sport, making learning easier than ever!

Beginner Kayak Group Instruction

Spend a weekend jump starting your kayaking career! A full weekend, all equipment, breakfast, lunch and fantastic instructors included. Learn More...

Private Instruction

Don't be distracted by others - get your instructor's full attention.

• 1 to 5 day clinics
• Private Group Instruction ( as in - you have 3 other friends that also want to learn - schedule your own group!)
• Beginner Intermediate clinics on the Lower Yough and other surrounding rivers
• Roll Clinics
• Advanced Clinics: Creeking on the Upper Yough, Playboating

We recommend the 2 or 3 day clinic to get a better feel for the sport and begin to build your skill set with more consecutive days on the river.

What will I learn?

A typical clinic might go like this… Day one will begin by introducing you to the kayak and all your gear. Moving onto the water either on nearby Youghiogheny Lake or right in our backyard on the Middle Yough, we will go over safety procedures like the wet exit and breakdown the different strokes needed to make your boat go where you want. With edge control exercises and lots of paddling practice your comfort level in the kayak will soar. Later in the day you will get to paddle through gentle currents learning techniques such as ferrying, eddy turns, peel-outs and basic river reading.

Day two will reinforce the new skills you’ve just learned. If water levels cooperate, this day is spent running the scenic Middle Youghiogheny, navigating through class I and II whitewater. We also introduce to the bow rescue and bracing techniques, both of which we’ll then use to teach the Eskimo Roll. From here, days three, four and five will find you building upon your skills by running sections of rivers such as the Loop or even the whole Lower Yough. Additional rolling practice will also be included. The longer your clinic, the more comfortable you will be to venture out on your own!

Our Instructors

Wilderness Voyageurs’ instructional staff can frequently be spotted on local rivers such as Meadow, Fikes, Top and Upper Yough because kayaking is what we love to do best! Many of our instructors have over 10 years of kayaking experience on rivers all over the world. As former US Kayak Team members, owners Eric and Lynne Martin have set the standards high and continue to promote the development of their employees within the sport. We live and breathe kayaking and can’t wait to share this unique and highly addicting sport with you!

What then?

Upon the completion of your clinic, your instructor will be happy to discuss options for continuing your pursuit of whitewater kayaking from obtaining your own gear to getting you out on the river.

Friday night Loop runs!

Practice pays off! Once your skills progress and you are comfortable on the Lower Yough - join us for Friday night Loop runs. Meet at 6:30 at our store in Ohiopyle.

Creeking Clinic on the Upper Yough

Getting to be a star on the Lower Yough and want to step it up a notch? Thinking you are ready to take on the Upper Yough? You might be interested in the advanced kayak instruction.