Youth Kayaking School

Youth kayaking at RVA Paddlesports is a fun way for younger paddlers to get continuous practice and coaching throughout the paddling season. Many of our participants learned to kayak with us and now paddle the James River regularly. We tailor the sessions to accommodate both beginner and intermediate paddlers. Each session will meet at different points around the James River Park System, and, occasionally, we will take field trips to rivers across the country!

Participants who are brand-new to whitewater paddling will be required to take a one-on-one intro session and skills assessment with one of our instructors.

For paddlers with little to no experience, we start with the basics of controlling a kayak on flatwater and slowly build you into being able to navigate Class II-III whitewater on the James River.

For paddlers with prior experience, our program will progress your skills on the river. We will work on ferrying, surfing, and technical river navigation.