2025 Kayak Skills and Safety Classes

Take one class, or two!, for a lifetime of enjoyment on Georgia rivers

ATHENS, GA, March 13, 2025 –Interested in exploring Georgia’s wild rivers and paddling our state’s peaceful water trails? Georgia Rivers has a series of kayak skills and water safety classes designed to build confidence and develop skills for paddlers of all levels. 

Georgia Rivers is a leader in introducing novice paddlers to kayak instruction. The 2025 kayak classes are intentionally structured for buildable education, from Intro to Kayaking in a lake, Intro to River Kayaking in moving water, and Rescue for Rec Boaters to master recovery skills. 

“We believe that the best way to nurture the next generation of advocates for Georgia’s rivers is to get people out enjoying themselves on our wonderful waterways,” said Rena Ann Peck, Georgia Rivers executive director. “When people explore our water trails, they fall in love with those rivers. That’s when they take action to protect them.” 

All Georgia Rivers kayak and paddling safety classes are taught by certified ACA instructors according to national curriculum and teaching standards.

• Intro to Kayaking,  May 11 or June 14

This half day, introductory level class will get you more familiar with the features of your boat and paddle and give you more confidence on your adventures. By the end of the day you will know how to balance in your boat, paddle all day without wearing out your arm muscles and avoid tennis elbow, help yourself or your friend in a capsize situation at the lake, and other basic information that will prepare you to be a better paddler or trip leader for your family.

• Intro to River Kayaking, May 31 or July 12: held on the Lower Chestatee River in Dahlonega, GA

This full day class will introduce you to the skills, hazards and fun to be had on class I rivers! By the end of the day you will feel more in control of your boat, know how to paddle all day without wearing out your arm muscles, have some tips and tricks for reading the river and avoiding hazards, and be more confident about exploring class I rivers with your friends and family.

• Rescue for Rec Boaters, June 28-29 (one- or two-day options): (Lake training held in Acworth; River training held in Lilburn.) 

Rescue for Rec Boaters is an entry-level safety and rescue class for paddlers who plan on paddling flat water lakes and slow moving rivers. A comprehensive Safety & Rescue class for lake and class I river paddlers is a rare offering in this region, so we are excited to offer it to you! This class is a game changer for new and experienced paddlers alike. The curriculum is built from tried and true techniques utilized in higher level training for sea kayakers and whitewater paddlers which has been dialed in to the most useful information and techniques for entry level paddlers in Georgia. Sign up for lake day, river day, or both days!

• River Progression with Guest Instructor Kathy Adamo, May 3 + May 10 + May 18, 2025

This class will offer a skills progression to introduce you to the skills, hazards and fun to be had river kayaking! This is a rare opportunity to work with ACA certified kayaking instructors starting with the shallow waters of the Chattahoochee River in Roswell Georgia working your way up to the more challenging Metro Hooch section of the Chattahoochee River in Sandy Springs.

• Intro to Kayak Fishing, August 16 or September 13

This introductory class will get you more comfortable using your kayak for fishing. Georgia Rivers is one of the first organizations in the nation to offer ACA certified instructor-led courses in kayak fishing. Take this course to better leverage your kayak, expand your knowledge and skills, and become a more proficient angler.

• Instructor Training

Become an ACA certified kayak instructor! This certification will allow you to lead trips and introduce your community to safely enjoy Georgia’s beautiful rivers and waterways. 

Registration is open for all classes. More information can be found at https://garivers.org/grn-kayaking-instruction/

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Georgia Rivers, formerly Georgia River Network, is a statewide 501c3 organization with the mission to protect and connect people with Georgia rivers. Georgia Rivers serves as Georgia DNR’s non-profit partner running the Georgia Water Trails Network,  maps rivers and provides  the free Georgia River Guide mobile app. Georgia Rivers connects people to Georgia rivers by hosting paddle trips across the state, including the signature week-long Paddle Georgia camping adventure hosted on a different Georgia river each year, and kayak training and safety classes. Georgia Rivers also serves as fiscal sponsor of the Okefenokee Protection Alliance, Georgia Outdoor Recreation Coalition and Georgia Water Coalition.

Visit garivers.org to learn more about paddle trips, paddle training, water trails and ways you can protect Georgia rivers.