Kayaking Basics Clinic Introduction to Kayaking
Learn all the basics of kayaking: paddle grip, strokes, boat fit and adjustment, launching and landing and just all round feeling comfortableandat ease in the kayak. Our trained instructors will set you up forsuccess! Following a brief on shore paddling clinic, we will venture out to work onstrokes and other technique exercises. No experience is necessary. Space is limited. Reservations needed. Meets at Kayak Carolina shop. Call today for dates and times!

Seniors Kayaking
Introduction to Paddling/Kayaking is an excellent sport for seniors! It's low impact and you can set your own pace and level. You can get close to bird life, feel the connection to nature and just plain relax. We teach you all the basics of kayaking including parts of the kayaks and paddles, strokes, trip planning and conditions. We go for a nice paddle to practice these basics and also paddle through the protected flatwater marshlands to view the beautiful birds and other creatures of the coast. We also address certain important issues for seniors; mobility, the best type of kayaks, special techniques for ease of kayak entry and exit, stretching exercises, kayak alterations for more comfortable paddling and kayak lifting/transport. Join us for a fun and relaxing introduction to the sport of kayaking. No experience is necessary so begin your kayak adventure today!

Kayaking Techniques Clinic
Kayak Skills Workshop
Beginner Intermediate to Intermediate
This program begins with a brief overview of the basics, then we will focus on the most important skills and technique that will rapidly improve your paddling. We will practice and complete on-water exercises that will improve your strokes, balance and control of your kayak. You will learn to make your strokes more efficient, how to lean the kayak for turning, control and balance, the basics of bracing as well as the draw strokes for maneuvering. This all encompassing clinic is a must for any paddler or boat owner.

Safety, Bracing and Rescues Clinic
Learn how to safely do self and assisted rescues. Included in this clinicis how to do wet exits, different self and assisted rescue techniques and important safety guidelines. Students learn the basics of bracing for safety and control. No experience is necessary. (some paddling experience is useful) Space is limited. Reservations needed.
Meets at Kayak Carolinashop. Call today for dates and times!

Surf Kayaking Clinics
Intermediate/Advanced Private or Semi-Private
We customize this clinic to your needs and skill level in the surf. We will focus on skill and technique improvement to get you surfin' your best! Experience is necessary. Reservations needed. Meets at Kayak Carolina shop. Call today for available dates and times.

Introduction to Surf Kayaking; Surf Launching/Landing
Learn how to get yourself in and out of the surf and also how to play in it too. Our skilled and trained staff can get you up and ridin'.
Components include: learning to read the surf, surf safety, launching and landing in the surf, basic and safe bracing technique and catching those waves! This clinic is recommended for any boat owner that launches from the beach, anyone desiring to increase their all round sea kayaking skill level or anyone that just wants to get wet and have fun in those waves! This clinic is conducted with either sit-on-tops for the sheer beginner or cockpit sea kayaks (must have completed the safety and rescue clinic or equivalent and be comfortable with wet exits) No experience is necessary. Space islimited. Reservations needed. Meets at Kayak Carolina shop. Call today for dates and times!

Eskimo Rolling Clinic
Learn how to roll a kayak in simple building block steps that are straight-forward with an instructor with sharp positive feedback that will get you rolling sooner! Eskimo rolling is the safest and most effective self-rescue method. And its fun to do too!! No experience is necessary. (some paddling experience is useful) Space is limited. Reservations needed. Meets at Kayak Carolina shop. Call today for dates and times!

Paddling Strategies and Trip Planning Clinic
Wind, Tides, Weather and Basic Navigation
The topics in this clinic are most often overlooked but can make the difference between having an awesome and fun paddling experience or having a miserable or harrowing unsafe experience. There is actually an art to planning your trip in harmony with the tides, wind and weather, which makes sea kayaking not only a physical sport but a mind/intellect engaging sport as well. We teach you how to read tide charts, nautical charts, planning and dealing with wind and different wind directions, the nautical rules of the road and much more. We take this knowledge and go for a paddle, planning our trip and dealing with the environmental challenges that come our way on our expedition. For beginner paddlers and up (having paddled a few times is recommended) Space is limited. Reservations needed. Meets at Kayak Carolina shop. Call today for dates and times!

The Kayak Owner's Day Clinic or Two Day Course
This is your all encompassing clinic jam-packed into one action filled day of learning all the basics of sea kayaking. This ultimate day clinic covers everything from our Introduction to Kayaking clinic, Kayak Skills Workshop,Safety/Bracing/Rescues Clinic and our Paddling Strategies and Trip Planning Clinic all into one. We will break down each clinic into 4 segments withbreaks in between including a break for lunch on a secluded shore. This clinic is a must for any kayak owner, anyone wishing to purchase a boat and anyone wanting to get into kayaking. For beginner paddlers and up (having paddled a few times is recommended)

9 hour One Day Course;Faster paced for fast learners and doers (one hour breakfor lunch)

2 days, 6 hours each day
This course covers each topic more indepth,with the added benefit of dividing the material into two days

Kayak Carolina's Frequent Paddler Instruction Card
See multiple clinics you would like to do?
Purchase our lesson card and receive our frequent paddler discount.

Private or Semi-Private Instruction

Any of our clinics can be customized for you in our private instruction. Popular private clinics include:
Kayak Skills Workshop
Eskimo Rolling
Advanced Strokes and Manuevering

ACA Intro to Kayak and Basic Coastal Kayak Instructor Development Workshops (IDW) and Instructor Certification Exams (ICE) are a new part of the Kayak Carolina Course Curriculum.  If you teach kayaking or take groups kayaking whether for pleasure or work, you can take this valuable workshop as well as achieve certification for liability and insurance.  Many youth organizations and occupations require certification before employment and/or before offering on-water programs.  Click on the ACA Instructor Course Packet to find out all about the ACA and its qualifications, requirements and certifications as well as about our course offerings and registration procedures. These courses are taught by Angela Marshall Pagenstecher, ACA Coastal Kayak Instructor Trainer and Captain Chris Hoskins, ACA Coastal Kayak Instructor.  Please feel free to contact us anytime or read about us here in this website.  We hope to see you here on the water soon! 

What to Expect/Wear/BringFor beginner and beginner intermediate classes, you will get as wet or stay as dry as you want. Come prepared to get wet. For the surf, rescue and rolling classes, expect to get wet and come for water fun. Wear clothes and sturdy non-tying shoes that you do not mind getting wet. Shoes, such as water sandals with heel strap, water socks or booties, that do not easilyslip off but are comfortable are very important. Wear clothes conducive to the temperature and weather of the day (if you need help with this, justgive us a call and we will be glad to help you. Wear/bring sunprotection, towel, change of clothes, plenty of water and a snack/lunch.