Complete Guide to Improving Your Whitewater Kayaking

Practice Your Skills

Practicing is the key to progression. Keep honing your whitewater kayaking skills by spending more time on the water. We’ve got you covered with demo kayaks, shuttle services, and resources to find paddling partners. While you’re out there, be intentional about practicing specific skills and before you know it, you’ll be ready for the next step in your progression.

Demo Kayaks

Having a kayak is essential to success in whitewater kayaking. However, purchasing a new boat can be a big investment, especially for a new paddler. That’s where our fleet of demo kayaks comes in. They’re the perfect tool to help you gain more experience and improve your skills without committing to a purchase right away.

Our demos are available for rental on the Middle Yough. By taking them out, you can practice specific skills and techniques to improve your kayaking abilities. The more you practice, the more confident and prepared you’ll be for your next adventure on the water.

We offer a wide range of available demos, allowing you to experiment with various styles of kayaks. By the time you’re ready to make the full commitment, you’ll know exactly what boat you want. And, of course, our knowledgeable staff can help you choose the best boat for your needs and answer any questions you might have.

If you’re looking to rent a demo kayak, you can either call us or stop by our shop. When you do, be sure to mention that you completed the Learn to Kayak weekend clinic. We want to ensure that our boats are being used by paddlers who have some experience and knowledge of river safety. Our reservation staff will also be happy to help you reserve a seat on our shuttle bus to the Middle Yough.

Middle Yough Shuttles

If you’d rather not worry about arranging a shuttle with your paddling buddy, we’ve got you covered! Our shuttle service can take you to the put-in of the Middle Yough, and since the river brings you right back to town, the logistics are a breeze.

To ensure a spot on the shuttle, be sure to call ahead and reserve your seat. Since our bus has a limited number of seats, it’s best to call early and never rely on just showing up. When you call to rent a demo kayak, our reservations staff can help you secure your spot on the shuttle.

Find a Paddle Partner

We can’t emphasize enough the importance of having a paddle buddy when you’re on the river. Let’s face it, we all make mistakes while learning, and sometimes those mistakes can lead to a little swim out of your boat. It’s always better to have someone there to help wrangle both you and your gear to safety.

It’s even better if you can find someone who’s more experienced than you to paddle with. To help you connect with fellow kayakers, we’ve created the Ohiopyle Learn to Kayak Facebook group. This group is open to anyone who has participated in our Learn to Kayak Weekend, both past and future, so you can stay in touch with your fellow paddlers and find a partner for your next river adventure.

Show Up & Paddle

When you’re ready to hit the water, take a moment to center yourself and remember that you’ve got this. It’s time to put these new skills to the test and start practicing on the river. Remember to stick with your paddling partner and keep safety as a top priority. Don’t just float down the river aimlessly, focus on perfecting your paddle strokes, entering and exiting eddies, ferrying across currents, and having fun!

Improving your whitewater kayaking abilities is all about practicing the fundamentals you learned in the Learn to Kayak class. These boat control skills are not only important for your safety on the river but also for your enjoyment of the sport. By dedicating some time to self-practice, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you’ll progress. And, before you know it, you’ll be ready for the next level, where you can continue to build on the foundation you’ve already established. Keep practicing and keep paddling!

Continue Your Learning

To improve your kayaking skills, it’s important to continue receiving constructive feedback from an experienced professional. We offer both group and private instruction options just a step beyond our introductory class. We even host informal roll clinics throughout the summer to help you continue in your progression as a whitewater kayaker.

Learn to Kayak II

Our Learn to Kayak II clinic offers the opportunity to refine your paddling technique under the guidance of a professional instructor, and to connect with other paddlers who share your commitment to the sport. You can exchange contact information and become whitewater kayaking buddies!

To participate in Learn to Kayak II, you must be proficient in fundamental kayaking skills, including basic boat control, eddy turns and peel outs, ferries, and self-rescue (wet exits). These skills are essential for your safety and success in the clinic.

This clinic focuses on developing a deeper understanding of moving water and how to use these skills to navigate through and around river features. It also provides another formal instruction opportunity at a lower cost than private instruction. The class includes a day on the water, all necessary gear, riverside lunch, transportation, and discounts on gear. Don’t miss out on this chance to take your kayaking to the next level!

Learn to Kayak II is offered on select dates throughout the summer. You can register for the class online or by phone.

Private Instruction

Looking to really focus on specific whitewater kayaking skills? Our private instruction option offers personalized coaching with a professional instructor to help you refine your technique and learn more about local runs. You can even bring a few friends along for the lesson.

Private lessons are ideal for those who want to progress quickly or focus on specific skills. Once you’ve mastered the basics, we also offer intermediate and advanced private instruction to guide you through your entire kayaking journey. Our experienced instructors are intimately familiar with the Youghiogheny River and other nearby rivers, such as the Cheat, Savage, and Stoneycreek.

When booking a private lesson over the phone, be sure to inform our reservationist about your skill level and what you want to work on, so we can match you with the perfect instructor.

Bonus: Roll Clinics

Rolling back up after flipping is a critical skill to master in whitewater kayaking. It keeps you safe on the river and helps you avoid serious consequences. However, it’s also one of the hardest skills to learn and often leads to a plateau in progression for new paddlers.

We have a roll-master on staff, Josh, that absolutely loves helping people achieve their roll. Legend says he has taught everyone in Ohiopyle how to roll their kayak. He loves it so much he hosts regular clinics dedicated to the art throughout summer. And he does it for free.

These informal clinics take place most Wednesday evenings. A group gathers on our porch around 5:30 before gearing up and walking over to the river. You can rent some of our equipment for $20 during the clinic. Pro tip: we never really know when Josh is going to be in town or not, so giving us a ring before heading into Ohiopyle is probably a good idea. 

Gear Up

In the Learn to Kayak class, you gained an understanding of the essential gear needed for safe whitewater kayaking: helmet, personal flotation device, skirt, paddle, and kayak. However, purchasing all of this gear at once can get pretty pricey. We have some recommendations to help you prioritize as you gradually acquire gear through your kayak progression. With your participation in our clinics, you can enjoy a little discount in our Ohiopyle Outfitters Store.

Personal Gear

We recommend starting with the gear closest to your body first. Getting your own helmet and life jacket early in your kayaking journey will help you stay comfortable and focused while practicing. Although our rental gear is designed to keep you safe, it might not fit perfectly for everyone. Ill-fitting gear can be a distraction when you’re trying to learn, so getting properly fitted gear will help you focus on your progress.

STORE DISCOUNT: All of our group clinics include a 15% off discount at our Ohiopyle Outfitters Store redeemable within the same season you participate in a clinic with us! Participants will receive a card after the clinic detailing the discount.

Plus, bringing your own helmet and life jacket when you come to check out our demos shows us that you’re serious about safety and passionate about the sport. You won’t have worry about the paddle and skirt – we’ll include those with your demo rental.

Clothing

As you progress, you’ll also want to consider your paddling attire. Proper clothing and footwear are essential for a comfortable and safe day on the river. Avoid wearing cotton, as it takes a long time to dry and has no insulation properties when wet. Instead, opt for quick-drying synthetic blends that keep your warm even when wet.

When it comes to footwear, choose shoes that perform well in the river environment and provide a good grip on wet rocks. Astrals, available in our store, have a special rubber sole designed to grip wet rocks and drain excess water. Flip flops should be avoided, as they provide little protection when navigating slippery river rocks and fall off easily. Don’t risk going barefoot when the river claims your shoes!

Remaining Essentials

Once you’ve fully fell in love with whitewater kayaking and gotten experience in a variety of boats, it’s time for new boat day. After a lot of practice, you’ve more than likely figured out the type of kayak that fits your paddling type. It’s time to reward your dedication and treat yo’self!

The size of skirt is dependent on the size of the cockpit of your chosen vessel. Additionally, this is a good time to invest in your very own paddle. Our store staff can help get you set up with the perfect boat, skirt and paddle when you are ready to make that final leap.

Accessorize

Don’t forget about transportation and storage when it comes to your new kayak. It’s important to use rack systems or foam blocks and cam straps to securely attach the kayak to your car roof without damaging the plastic. Our staff can show you how to tie it down properly when you’re ready to hit the road.

Once you’re back home, remember to store your boat and gear out of direct sunlight to prevent warping and weakening of the material. Consistent exposure to the sun can lead to deformations that could compromise your kayak’s performance.

If you have any questions about gear or maintenance, our store staff is always here to help!