RHODE ISLAND KAYAK INSTRUCTION
Kayak Strokes & Rescues- Basic Kayak Skills
The best way to learn to kayak is to take a full day kayak course that covers outfitting, kayak strokes, and rescues. This is a class that goes several steps beyond our Primary Strokes Class by spending more time on the strokes in the morning and focusing on rescues skills in the afternoon. This is a comprehensive seven hour kayak class that covers a wide range of skills and techniques. We provide plenty of time to practice and refine each skill in order to maximize our fun and build our overall confidence.
Skill Level: 
Beginner
Length: 7 hours
Prerequisites: No previous kayak experience required
Meeting Location: Lincoln Woods State Park, Lincoln
Primary Strokes- Paddle Strokes Clinic
A great way to learn to kayak is to take an introductory course that covers kayak outfitting and basic strokes. This class is designed to teach new kayakers the beginning skills surrounding this fun and exciting sport. This is a three hour course that takes place on protected water with comfortable, stable kayaks. Our professional certified ACA Instructors will show you the essential equipment and how to best fit and utilize each piece. Your Instructor will introduce you to fundamentals of kayaking like proper boat and PFD fit, carrying and lifting techniques, launching and landing techniques, efficient forward and reverse strokes, and a few maneuvering strokes such as sweeps and draws. We surround this instruction with fun and informative group activities designed to build skills and increase confidence.
Skill Level: Beginner
Length: 3 hours
Prerequisites: No previous kayak experience required
Meeting Location: Lincoln Woods State Park, Lincoln
Pool Rolling
Quite simply, rolling your kayak to an upright position is the best self rescue method, period. It is one of those counter-intuitive skills progressions, however, that demands a skilled instructor with a good eye and deep understanding of the mechanics of various rolling styles to smooth the learning process. So we try to make your learning experience as easy as possible in a warm pool with rolling-friendly kayaks and knowledgeable ACA and BCU certified instructors. READ MORE
Skill Level: Beginner
Length: 2 hours
Meeting Location: Whitin Community Center, Whitinsville, MA
Outdoor Rolling
Doing a kayak roll is quite simply the best form of self rescue. It is quick, effective and looks cool. Rolling is one of those more advanced skills that demands the help and guidance of an experienced instructor. Our ACA Instructors are trained to guide you through the process of learning and mastering your kayak roll. READ MORE
Skill Level: Beginner
Length: 2 hours
Meeting Location: Lincoln Woods State Park, Lincoln
Kayak Surfing
Imagine yourself sliding gracefully down the face of a glassy green wave with the sun shining down and the spray flying up all around you; big smile on your face. Sounds pretty good, right?
The EMS Kayaking School can help you have this marvelous experience by teaching you the skills and techniques which make surfing kayaks possible.
Your instructors, skilled kayak surfers as well as talented teachers, will demonstrate good surfing practices including reading waves, surf etiquette, breaking out through the surf zone, catching waves, proper boat trim and weighting, edging and steering strokes, bracing, and dealing with capsizes in surf. READ MORE
Skill Level: Beginner/ Early Intermediate
Length: 7 hours
Prerequisite: Some paddling experience is helpful, the day can be strenuous.
Meeting Location: Narrow River Launch, Narragansett
Open Water Workshop (2 days)
The best way to become a competent and proficient open water kayaker is our 2 day Open Water Workshop that combines flat-water skills with an open water experience. We have taken our two most popular beginner classes and paired them together to do just that, at a significantly discounted rate.
Day one features our Kayak Strokes and Rescues class where we’ll introduce you to the fundamentals of kayaking on flat water while focusing on efficient strokes and effective rescues. In the afternoon we’ll spend some time getting wet while working on our assisted and self rescues. These skills will prepare you for the dynamic environment of open water and the challenges that await you. READ MORE
Skill Level: Beginner
Length: 2 days, 7 hours each day
Prerequisites: No prior kayak experience required
Meeting Locations:
Day 1: Lincoln Woods State Park, Lincoln
Day 2: URI Bay Campus, Narragansett
Ocean Motion & Movement
This class is designed for those paddlers who want to venture into the ocean with increased stroke efficiency, better seamanship skills, and more confident boat control. Ocean Motion and Movement is an extension of our Kayak Strokes and Rescues course and takes place on open water. Our focus will be on improving our basic strokes while becoming more comfortable on challenging open water conditions. Building upon these skills allows us to become more confident while doing an open water rescue. We will begin the day with a trip planning session that focuses on factors such as wind, sea state, tide, boat traffic and the group’s overall skills. Before we launch and head out into the bay, we will cover basic navigation with chart and compass skills so that we can use our new skills to navigate to our destination. During our paddle we will get a chance to experience some wind and wave action as we explore the picturesque features of Narragansett Bay. Each paddler will get a chance to practice group awareness, kayak navigation, leading, sweeping and risk assessment. After lunch we will get a chance to work on our open water rescues and towing skills as we head for home. This class is an essential experience for any kayaker that is planning to venture out into open water conditions. READ MORE
Skill Level: Intermediate
Length: 7 hours
Prerequisites: Kayak Strokes & Rescues or equivalent kayak course, previous kayak experience
Meeting Location: URI Bay Campus, Narragansett
Ocean Skills Workshop (2 days)
Having a chance to train in open water for 2 days is the best way to take your kayaking skills to the next level and become a confident coastal kayaker. We have taken our two most popular intermediate classes and paired them together to do just that at a significantly discounted rate. This intermediate program launches from two of our most favorite coastal launch spots in Narragansett and Jamestown with quick access to challenging areas to play and train on. READ MORE
Skill Level: Intermediate
Length: 2 days, 7 hours each day
Meeting Location: Narrow River Launch, Narragansett
Surfing the Long Boat
Have you ever had one of those days where the waves start to come up just as you are getting ready to land at the end of a long paddling day? Would you like to learn how to land and launch through that stuff? If so, you have come to the right place.
This class is specifically designed for sea kayakers who want to learn to handle surf environments. This dynamic and exciting place challenges your skills, and is a wonderful place to fine tune your abilities. Your instructor will show you how to brace in surf, judge landing areas, and land on the beach. You will have plenty of time to practice your new skills and increase your confidence in this exciting, fun filled course. READ MORE
Skill Level: Intermediate
Length: 7 hours
Meeting Location: Narrow River Launch, Narragansett
Rock Hopping & Incident Management
So much of the action on the sea happens along the edges, where the rocks, beaches and shorelines meet the dynamic and sometimes sneaky ocean. It is a place just waiting to be explored by you and your kayak, and EMS Kayak School instructors are here to help you. Most of the strokes taught in programs like Strokes and Rescues or Ocean motion and Movement become essential in this class, allowing you too properly and progress into those more challenging environments. READ MORE
Skill Level: Intermediate
Length: 7 hours
Meeting Location: Fort Wetherill, Jamestown
