Whitewater Kayak School in Rishikesh · Since 2003
Basic Kayaking Course in Rishikesh
A well structured 04 days basic kayaking course for absolute beginners
*Discounts may vary from departure to departure
Overview
This Basic Whitewater Kayaking course for beginners is a 4 day kayaking plan designed to impart the foundation skills to a novice whitewater enthusiast. Through this kayaking course, a beginner is given the know how of the sport. Emphasis is laid on developing strong basic skills and hone them throughout the duration of the course.
The Kayaking course would include theory sessions and lot of river practice. Our kayaking instructors / safety kayakers ensure steady learning and safety. On completion of this course of kayaking for beginners, the students gain the skills and confidence required to run Class II whitewater sections.
Why learn kayaking in Rishikesh
The Ganga flowing through Rishikesh is a clear water, medium-high volume pool drop river. Its rapids range from easy to challenging and yet forgiving, which makes it one of the best rivers in India to learn to kayak. The river is run from October to June, and Rishikesh is easy to reach by road, rail (Rishikesh / Haridwar) and air (Dehradun, 25 kms).
What you'll learn
- Kayaking gear and its use
- Forward and turning paddle strokes
- Wet exits and bow assisted rescues
- Safety protocols and rescue techniques
- Leaning techniques and ferry glides in moving water
- Eskimo roll
- Running Class II and II+ rapids with our safety kayakers
Where the kayaking lessons happen on the Ganga
Each day starts from Tapovan, Rishikesh. The first kayaking lessons are held in the calmer water near NIM beach. As your skills grow, we move to longer river runs on the Ganga, and on the last day we go further upstream to run rapids like Clubhouse.
Our kayak school and instructors
TEAM 4 ADVENTURE has been teaching whitewater kayaking to absolute beginners in Rishikesh since 2003. Our instructors and safety kayakers stay with you on the water throughout the course.
After the kayaking course
After completing our Basic Kayaking Course, our students can join us on the kayaking day trips and expeditions that we operate regularly. The satisfaction and sense of achievement that comes with kayaking is priceless. Short on time? Try a single day of kayaking in Rishikesh first.
Detailed Itinerary
Basic Skills
Introduction to Whitewater
Putting it all together
Experiencing class II+ rapids
Inclusions and Exclusions
Inclusions
- Professional Kayaking Gear
- Experienced Trainers & Guides
- Transfers
- Guided River Runs
- Photos and Videos
- Souvenir Certificate
- First Aid Kit
- River permits and needed paperwork
Exclusions
- Accommodation / Meals
- Expenses of personal nature
- Anything not mentioned explicitly
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Enquire NowFrequently Asked Questions
Our 4 day Basic Kayaking Course in Rishikesh costs ₹ 17,500 per person. This includes professional kayaking gear, instructors, transfers, guided river runs, photos and videos, and a certificate. Accommodation and meals are not included. Discounts may vary from departure to departure.
If you only want to try kayaking for a day, our Discover Kayaking session costs ₹ 2,999 per person.
No. Swimming is NOT a pre-requisite for this kayaking course. However, you should be comfortable in water, including having your head underwater and staying calm on a swim. Our safety kayakers are with you on the river at all times.
We run the kayaking course from October to June. Mid October to early December and February to May are the best months, with warmer days and good water levels. From mid October to mid March mornings can be cold, so bring warm clothing.
Yes, with the right training and supervision. The Ganga in Rishikesh has rapids that are challenging yet forgiving, and the course starts in calm water before moving to easy rapids. Our instructors and safety kayakers stay with you on the water, and all kayaking gear is provided.
Whitewater kayaking is still an adventure sport. If a participant is not comfortable in water, our lead instructor may restrict them to easier sections or transfer them to a more stable double seater inflatable kayak for the river runs.
Yes. This kayaking course is designed for absolute beginners who have never sat in a kayak. Anyone aged 15 to 50 with basic fitness and some comfort in water can join. People with a history of heart problems, asthma or epilepsy should take a doctor's advice first.
Every participant receives a TEAM 4 ADVENTURE souvenir certificate on completing the Basic Kayaking Course. It is a certificate of course completion, and is not a certificate for use for employment or a professional kayaking or instructor qualification.
Quick drying clothes/swimming costume for kayaking, waterproof floater kind of sandals with a secured back strap, retainer strap for shades or prescription glasses, cameras, sun protection/block cream, moisturizer, change of clothing to wear after kayaking, towel, toilet kit etc. Warm clothing would be needed from mid October to mid March.
After you have completed the 4 days basic kayaking course, you would have the essential skills required to run whitewater rapids up to class II difficulty levels along with safety kayak support. You would become a part of our ever growing and vibrant community of kayakers, and would be able to join whitewater kayaking day trips and kayaking expeditions that we keep organizing for our alumni.
After a 4 days basic kayaking course, you should consider gaining more whitewater kayaking experience through our guided kayaking day trips, and work on your eskimo roll. As your experience grows, we would be able to expose you to whitewater sections that have higher difficulty levels and eventually you would gain enough experience to be able to independently kayak anywhere else.
CANCELLATION CHARGES FOR THIS TOUR are levied as per the following schedule
14-7 day(s) before departure date : 25 %
6-4 day(s) before departure date : 50 %
Last 3 day(s) before departure date : No Refunds
This tour starts and ends at Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
Railway stations- Rishikesh ( 6 kms ) Haridwar ( 25 kms )
Nearest airport- Dehradun ( Jolly Grant ) 25 kms
Rishikesh is well connected by road.
Dominos/Burger King food-court main gate, Lemon Tree Hotel, Rishikesh, Tapovan, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand 249192
Map Location
Guests will be picked up each day around 09:30 AM
Each day would end around 2 PM at the same location
INDEMNITY/DISCLAIMER AGREEMENT
All participants are compulsorily required to sign a disclaimer form that legally indemnifies TEAM 4 ADVENTURE and all team members against any mishappening on the tour. Prospective participants are required to understand this, and enroll for the tour only if they consent to the same.
This is a serious adventure activity and participants are expected to put in reasonable effort both mentally and physically to get the best out of this program.
During the training sessions if a participant is unable to complete the minimum required safety drills or is very uncomfortable in water, then they may be advised by our instructor to do the further river runs in double seater Inflatable kayaks which are comparatively more stable. This would be in the interest of safety for the participant and the decision of our lead instructor would be final and binding.
Enrolling for this activity requires the participants to understand and agree to our disclaimers