Paddling Classes
Higher Pursuits offers both kayaking classes and canoeing classes at the basic and advanced levels. Our instructors are Level 2 certified Kayak Instructors and Level 3 certified Canoe Instructors with the American Canoe Association and have 20+ years of paddling and teaching experience.
Types of Classes Available
Higher Pursuits also offers special programs for Boy Scout, Girl Scout and Amercian Heritage Groups. As Level 3 Canoe Instructors and Level 2 Kayak Instructors with the American Canoe Association, we can teach badge requirements for both kayaking and canoeing.
Basic Kayaking Class – Level 1
Guided Sunset Paddle
Advanced Kayaking Class – Level 2
Feel more confident in your paddling skills
Our Basic Kayaking Class is designed to help you feel more confident in your paddling skills and on the water. The class starts with a land-based session to cover important topics such as lifejackets, planning your trip, equipment needed and kayaking basics. The class then moves to the on-water session where the group will work on paddling skills, entry and exit from a kayak and basic kayak strokes.
Ages 10+
$75 per person
Kayaks are provided
Advanced Kayaking Class
Level 2
Take your paddling skills to the next level
Our Advanced Kayaking Class is designed to improve your moving water paddling skills and take your kayaking to the next level. The focus of the Level 2 kayaking class is on paddling skills, but the class will begin with a land-based session to cover key topics. During the on-water portion participants will learn moving water skills such as eddy turns, ferrying and sculling strokes. Additionally, the class will discuss river hazards and how to navigate those hazards as well as recognizing river hazards.
Ages 12+
$75 per person
Kayaks are provided
Overcome the challenge of paddling a canoe
Our Canoeing Class is designed to improve your ability to take a canoe where you want to go on the water. Although canoeing can be more challenging than kayaking there is a grace and beauty to learning how to paddle a canoe. This class will begin with a land-based topics then moves to the on-water session where the group will work on paddling skills, entry and exit from a canoe, basic canoe strokes (Forward, reverse, turning), self-rescue, and how to empty a canoe.
Learn basic rescue and paddling safety skills
The Paddlesports Safety Facilitator Class teaches basic safety and paddling knowledge, as well as simple rescue skills for canoe or kayak. This is a great course if you take groups paddling on rivers or lakes. If you lead scout groups, work at a camp, lead church groups, or just paddle with friends or family, this course can improve your ability to help others within your group during challenges on the river or lake.
Ages 18+
$75 per person
Boats are provided
Outdoor Seminars
This year we are adding a series of outdoor classes and seminars that provide information on paddling and outdoor skills. These seminars will focus on topics such as paddling during many seasons, how to read river features, how to read the river gauges, practical map and compass skills and basic camping skills and if you have been thinking about buying a kayak, join us for our in-depth class on buying a kayak, paddle and PFD.
Each outdoor seminar is 2 to 3 hours in length and is taught at the Higher Pursuits Canoe base at our educational shelter.
Reading the River and Gauges, Planning A Trip
Description: There are an amazing number of diverse rivers in Tennessee that are fun to explore and paddle, but the hardest part is figuring out how to plan you trip and then safely navigating an unknown river or lake. This seminar will focus on how to plan your trip and prepare for your next paddling adventure. We will look at how the US Geological system of river gauges work and how to interpret those gauges. Finally, there will be an in-depth discussion on common river features/hazards, how to read those features and the best way to navigate each type.
Length of Class: 2 to 3 hours
Cost of Class: Adults are $20 per person. Children 10 and younger attend for free (limit one child per paying customer)
What to Bring: This workshop is outside so come dressed for the weather (rainy, cold, hot, sunny)
