Kayaking Skills and Safety

Your kayaking skills foundation begins here - Level 1

Start your kayaking adventures off right by learning essential paddling and safety skills on calm water. This comprehensive course will cover equipment, strokes, paddling technique, capsizing, dealing with a flooded kayak, and re-entries. Come ready to get wet and have a good time on this skill and confidence building class. This class is offered in two different types of kayaks.

Price:

$95

Which Class should you take?

Sit-Inside Kayaking Class

This is our most popular course taught with stable kayaks in which you sit-inside of a cockpit. This style of kayak tends to have a lower center of gravity in a faster, drier, straighter tracking, and more sea worthy craft. If you are interested in taking our more advanced classes, this class will give you the foundation which the other classes build upon. After taking this class you will be allowed to rent closed deck sea kayaks from Outback Adventures. No experience necessary.

Sit-on-Top Kayaking Class

Sit-on-top kayaks tend to be more recreational or utility oriented. They are distinctly different from sit-inside kayaks due to their self-bailing design and open deck layout. They are very popular for fishing, diving, and surf play. If you have ever rented a kayak in a tropical tourist destination, it is likely that you used a sit-on-top. These kayaks are typically wider and slower than sit-inside kayaks and leave you more exposed to the elements. Although these kayaks are self bailing there are still many ways water can enter your kayak. If water enters your kayak or you capsize, it is extremely important that you have the training on how to deal with that situation. Don't overlook the necessity of this important course. No experience necessary.

Location:

Time:

Locations and Time:

Stevens Creek Reservoir, Cupertino: 10am-4pm
Outback Adventures Store, Larkspur: 11am-5pm

Prerequisites:

No previous experience required

What to Bring:

Wear synthetic clothing rather than cotton (swimsuit, shirt, shorts, lightweight pants, jacket)
Water
Lunch
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Sun hat and a warm cap
Retainer straps for glasses
Booties, water shoes, or sport sandals
Consider bringing a tip for your instructor / guide for exceptional service

Outback Adventures Provides:

Kayaks
Paddles
PFD's
Spray skirts
Paddling Jackets (if necessary)
Wetsuits (if necessary)
Safety equipment
Experienced, friendly instructors / guides

Directions to Stevens Creek Reservoir in Cupertino

Directions from San Jose or San Francisco using 280

From San Jose take 280 North or from San Francisco take 280 South and exit at Foothill Boulevard. Go South on Foothill Boulevard towards the hills. Foothill Boulevard will eventually change names to Stevens Canyon Road. Wind your way up the hill for a short distance until Stevens Creek Reservoir becomes visible on your left. Turn left into the parking lot where parking passes may be purchased for $5.

Directions from South San Jose using 85

From South San Jose take 85 North and take the Stevens Creek Boulevard exit and turn left at the light heading West on Stevens Creek Boulevard. Turn left on Foothill Boulevard heading South towards the hills. Foothill Boulevard will eventually change names to Stevens Canyon Road. Wind your way up the hill for a short distance until Stevens Creek Reservoir becomes visible on your left. Turn left into the parking lot where parking passes may be purchased for $5.

Meeting Place: Meet next to the large beige storage container nearest to the boat ramp.

Directions to Larkspur and the Corte Madera Creek

Directions to the Marin Store From the South (San Francisco)

Take Highway 101 North, and cross the Golden Gate Bridge. At the first sign for the Richmond Bridge (and Sir Francis Drake), exit 101 and bear right onto Sir Francis Drake. Make an immediate right turn into the first parking lot. Outback Adventures is the first store closest to the road.

Directions to the Marin Store from the North (Santa Rosa)

Take Highway 101 South. Pass Sir Francis Drake exit, and exit Lucky Dr. towards the west. Follow signs towards 101 north that will take you back under the freeway. Get back onto Highway 101 North. Immediately exit 101 following signs towards the Richmond Bridge, and bear right onto Sir Francis Drake. Make an immediate right turn into the first shopping center. Outback Adventures is the first store closest to the road.

Directions to the Marin Store from the East (Richmond)

Take Interstate 580 West towards San Rafael, and take Highway 101 South towards San Francisco. Exit Lucky Dr. towards the west. Follow signs towards 101 north that will take you back under the freeway. Get back onto Highway 101 North. Immediately exit 101 following signs towards the Richmond Bridge, and bear right onto Sir Francis Drake. Make an immediate right turn into the first shopping center. Outback Adventures is the first store closest to the road.

*Please note that both Yahoo maps and Mapquest may give incorrect driving directions from the East due to a median.

Map

This trip takes place in multiple locations. Be sure you look at the correct location map for your trip below.

Larkspur, Marin County

Stevens Creek Reservoir

Reserve Now

Please choose a location and date to sign up for:

Kayaking Skills and Safety

Larkspur Dates:
Saturday, March 10
Saturday, April 7

Stevens Creek Reservoir Dates:
Please call for dates

Sit-on-top Skills and Safety

Larkspur Dates:
Please call for dates

Stevens Creek Reservoir Dates:
Please call for dates

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Kayaking Skills and Safety Sit-on-top Skills and Safety

Larkspur Dates
March 10
April 7

Stevens Creek Reservoir Dates

Please call for dates

Larkspur Dates

Please call for dates

Stevens Creek Reservoir Dates

Please call for dates