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Learn Whitewater Kayaking, Canoeing, Swiftwater Rescue, and more with Zoar Outdoor

Indoor Pool Rolling & Freestyle Instruction

Indoor Pool Rolling & Freestyle Instruction

We offer Sunday instructional clinics and open pool sessions during winter and spring at the Hampshire College pool in Amherst, MA.

  • Beginner - Advanced
  • AGES:
    8+
  • 3 Hours
Beginner Kayak Clinic

Beginner Kayak Clinic

This is the perfect place to find out why paddling is so much fun! Learn how to edge your kayak into turns, set angles across river currents, and perform river maneuvers like eddy turns and peel outs.

  • Class I-II Rapids
  • AGES:
    14+
  • 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, Full Day
Teen Beginner Kayak 2 Day Clinic

Teen Beginner Kayak 2 Day Clinic

This is the perfect place for teens 14-17 to find out why paddling is so much fun! Learn 2 days of the basic skills of river kayaking in whitewater kayaks.

  • Class I-II Rapids
  • AGES:
    14-17
  • 2 days
Intermediate Kayak Clinic

Intermediate Kayak Clinic

Whether your goal is to use Class II as a stepping stone to kayaking more difficult whitewater or as a destination in itself, the skills taught in this Intermediate clinic will serve you well.

  • Class II Rapids
  • AGES:
    14+
  • 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, Full Day
Advanced Strokes and Technical Skills

Advanced Strokes and Technical Skills

Learn the skills that will take your kayaking to an intermediate/advanced level in our Advanced Strokes and Technical Skills 1 or 2 Day Clinic on the Deerfield River in Massachusetts.

  • Class II-III Rapids
  • AGES:
    14+
  • 1 day, 2 days
Private / Semi-Private & Private Group Lessons

Private / Semi-Private & Private Group Lessons

Our private lesson is perfect for individuals and families who prefer a private, tailored learning experience.

  • Full Day
1 Day River Rescue Skills

1 Day River Rescue Skills

This clinic is designed for whitewater kayak and canoeists who paddle together with a hands-on, in-the-water approach to teaching river rescue and safety skills for buddies.

  • Class II Rapids
  • AGES:
    14+
  • Full Day
Boats and Berms

Boats and Berms

The ultimate adventure experience for your kids this summer. Whitewater kayak instruction paired with downhill mountain bike coaching create an outdoor education environment like no other.

  • AGES:
    12 - 16
  • 3 - 4 Days
2 Day River Rescue Skills

2 Day River Rescue Skills

Our 2 Day River Rescue Skills Course is based on a curriculum developed by the American Canoe Association and a step up from our 1 Day River Rescue Skills. 

  • Class II Rapids
  • AGES:
    14+
  • 2 Days
Swiftwater Rescue 2-Day Course led by Guest Instructor Mike Mather

Swiftwater Rescue 2-Day Course led by Guest Instructor Mike Mather

This clinic takes a hands-on, in-the-water approach to practicing river rescue and safety skills with Mike Mather. Learning from his years of paddling/rescue expertise will help prepare you for adventures ahead.

  • Class II Rapids
  • AGES:
    14+
  • 2 Days
Deerfield River Run – Fifebrook

Deerfield River Run – Fifebrook

A river run on Class II sections of the Deerfield River in Massachusetts is the perfect follow-up after taking one of our Beginner or Intermediate kayaking or canoeing clinics.

  • Class II-III Rapids
  • AGES:
    14+
  • Full Day
Dryway River Run

Dryway River Run

The goal of this Dryway River Run is to help Class III paddlers move to the next level of kayaking or canoeing by running the Deerfield River Dryway with a Zoar Outdoor instructor.

  • Advanced, Class III-IV Rapids
  • AGES:
    16+
  • 1 day
Lower West River Run in Jamaica, VT

Lower West River Run in Jamaica, VT

This continuous run is a great place for strong advanced beginner and intermediate kayakers and canoeists to gain experience with bigger, more pushy & continuous rapids.

  • Class II Rapids
  • AGES:
    14+
  • Full Day
Upper West River Run in Jamaica, VT

Upper West River Run in Jamaica, VT

The Upper West River Run is a great way to go kayaking or canoeing on this quintessential Class III run in southern Vermont.

  • Class III-IV Rapids
  • AGES:
    14+
  • Full Day
Lower Millers River Run in Erving, MA

Lower Millers River Run in Erving, MA

A river run on the Lower section of Massachusetts’ Millers River is the perfect way for intermediate paddlers to start paddling again this spring.

  • Class III-IV Rapids
  • AGES:
    14+
  • Full Day
Roll and River Run 1 Day Clinic

Roll and River Run 1 Day Clinic

We spend the day rolling in flat water and then in current while also enjoying the river, gaining experience kayaking on New England’s best class II summer whitewater run.
  • Class II-III Rapids
  • AGES:
    14+
  • Full Day
ACA Instructor Certification

ACA Instructor Certification

Designed for individuals who want to teach moving water, flatwater, whitewater kayaking, canoeing, or swiftwater rescue.

  • AGES:
    18+
  • Full Day
ACA Skills Assessment

ACA Skills Assessment

Recommended prerequisite for students who are interested in becoming American Canoe Association Certified Instructors.

  • AGES:
    18+
  • Full Day
ACA Instructor Update

ACA Instructor Update

Updates are open only to those who are presently valid ACA certified instructors to fulfill maintenance requirements.

  • AGES:
    18+
  • Full Day
Wilderness First Responder

Wilderness First Responder

As an outdoor person, you may find yourself in a situation where help is more than a phone call away. This course is designed for people who often travel where dialing 911 is not an option.

  • Beginner to advanced
  • AGES:
    18+
  • 7 Days
Wilderness First Responder Recertification

Wilderness First Responder Recertification

This course is an intensive review and retesting of the WFR curriculum with a CPR update and other updates where protocols or treatment options may have changed.

  • Intermediate to advanced
  • AGES:
    18+
  • 3 Days
Freestyle Basics Clinic

Freestyle Basics Clinic

Ideal for intermediate kayakers who want to learn the basic freestyle moves to “play” their way down the river.

  • Class II-III Rapids
  • AGES:
    14+
  • Full Day
Advanced Freestyle Clinic

Advanced Freestyle Clinic

Learn advanced freestyle techniques that will help enable you to do multiple cartwheels, loops, and other more complex moves.

  • Class II-III Rapids
  • AGES:
    14+
  • Full Day
Moving Water Rolling Skills 1/2 Day Clinic

Moving Water Rolling Skills 1/2 Day Clinic

Continue to develop and strengthen kayak rolling skills under the guidance of ACA-certified instructors!
  • Class I-II Rapids
  • AGES:
    14+
  • 1/2 Day
Flatwater Rolling Skills 1/2 Day Clinic

Flatwater Rolling Skills 1/2 Day Clinic

Learn basic whitewater kayak rolling skills under the guidance of ACA-certified instructors!
  • Advanced Beginner to Intermediate
  • AGES:
    14+
  • 1/2 Day
Steep Creek Kayak 1 Day Clinic

Steep Creek Kayak 1 Day Clinic

This one-day clinic, for advanced kayak paddlers only, teaches the specific techniques of creeking, including boofing, catching micro-eddies, and more.

  • Class IV Rapids
  • AGES:
    14+
  • Full Day
River Explorers: Weeklong Kids Kayak Immersion Program

River Explorers: Weeklong Kids Kayak Immersion Program

5 consecutive days of river fun! Looking for a activity that lets your kid get active outside this summer learning about rivers, kayaking, and the outdoors? River Explorers is the perfect starter program for your future paddler!

  • AGES:
    8 - 13
  • 5 days
River Explorers

River Explorers

Looking for an activity that lets your kid get active outside this summer learning about rivers, kayaking, and the outdoors? River Explorers is the perfect starter program for your future paddler!

  • AGES:
    8 - 13
  • 3 - 5 days

"Skills and confidence had seen significant improvements"

A day of one-on-one whitewater paddling instruction with Steve was everything I was looking for and then some! He tailored the day to working on the skills I wanted and helped me shore up some fundamentals I wasnt even aware I had let slide. He was adept at observing what I was doing right and wrong, communicating it to me and showing me how to fix things. He was also very patient about answering questions. By the end of the day my skills and confidence had seen significant improvements.

– Thomas, Google Reviews

"Blown away by how much I learned"

I just completed the women's weekend beginner's kayaking clinic and it was amazing! I'm kind of blown away by how much I learned and how much time I had to put what I learned to use in just two days. All three instructors, Amanda, Julianna, and Justine, were fantastic.

– Sandra, Google Reviews

"Made me feel safe while learning a new sport"

I've taken three white water kayaking courses with Zoar so far, and had an amazing time in each one. The instructors are super welcoming and helpful, and made me feel safe while learning a new sport. I will definitely continue my kayaking adventures with this company.

– Leah Manchester, Google Reviews

"Great whitewater canoeing instruction"

My wife and I took a white water canoeing lesson at Zoar. Jim was a terrific instructor, very patient and genuinely concerned about improving our skills. Moreover, the tone of the whole establishment was considerate and helpful; I'm guessing that some of that comes from the top down.

– Loren K., TripAdvisor

Paddlesports are a great way to enjoy the outdoors while choosing your level of adventure. Zoar Outdoor offers whitewater kayaking and canoeing lessons on the Deerfield River in the Berkshire hills of Massachusetts to suit every level of paddler, from beginner to advanced. We are conveniently located 30 minutes north of Williamsburg and 45 minutes from Northampton.

Our kayaking and canoeing instructors are certified by the American Canoe Association (ACA) and tailor every clinic to your needs. Whether you are interested in an introduction to the sport of kayaking or canoeing or you’re taking your paddling skills to the next level with playboating, river rescue, or another clinic, our paddlesports school has a course for you.

Start a lifetime of river memories by kayaking in Massachusetts this season with Zoar Outdoor!