Himalayan Whitewater Kayaking Summer Program for Kids

View all Whitewater Kayaking Courses - For Beginners|Uttarakhand

Course Description

The White Water Kayaking Kids Summer Camp at Shivanandi River Lodge is designed to introduce children to the outdoors, build survival skills, and develop a lasting love for nature and rivers through the immersive experience of learning white water kayaking.

The program runs for a minimum of 4 days with the option to extend to any number of days. Parents have the option to learn white water kayaking alongside their child, making it a memorable family adventure in the Himalayas.

At the end of the course the student will:

Be able to navigate a kayak in grade 1-2 rapids
Be able to perform basic self-rescue techniques and have more confidence in water
Have a deeper understanding of how to deal with water and river features
Have better survival skills and knowledge about the outdoors

Season

April & May 2026

Choose any 4 days, extendable

Location

Shivanandi River Lodge, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand

Group Size

Age 10-16 years. Parents may also join.

Skill Level

Beginner

Duration

4 days (extendable)

About Shivanandi River Lodge

Shivanandi River Lodge is built by one of the most experienced and renowned white water kayakers in India, Shalabh Gahlaut.

The lodge offers a family-friendly base with comfortable accommodation, meals, a natural swimming pool and direct access to the river Alaknanda and other classic Himalayan rivers in the region. Its peaceful and natural setting makes it ideal for kids and their families to connect with nature and learn white water kayaking.

Eligibility

Age 10-16 (kids). Parents may also join as participants.
No prior kayaking experience required
Ability to swim and float comfortably in deep water with the help of a PFD (life jacket)
Ability to swim comfortably in a swimming pool without any assistance
No medical conditions that prevent participation in moderate physical activity

Safety

Safety and emotional comfort is our top priority when it comes to teaching kids white water kayaking. Here are some highlights about safety during the course:

Slow and controlled progression of skills
Certified and highly experienced instructors with experience in teaching children
Multiple certified rescue and first aid professionals at all times during the sessions
Kid-appropriate safety gear
Kids will not be taken on rapids above Grade 2

Curriculum

Introduction to kayaking

Kayak design
About kayaking equipment
River safety briefing
Seat positioning
Kayak carrying technique

Basic paddling

Forward stroke
Back stroke
Basic self rescue skills
Wet exit
Edge control

River running

Protocols for river running
Signals
Running Grade 1 and 2 rapids

Daily Schedule

Day 1 Schedule

Morning
Orientation and safety briefing
Midday
Introduction to kayak and equipment
Afternoon
Simple strokes in an eddy
Evening
Practice in the pool

Fees

₹40,000 ₹36,000 / head

*Discounted price for limited time. Minimum 4 days; extensions available on request.*

What's Included

Instruction from professional white water kayaking instructors
Equipment (kayak, paddle, spray skirt, helmet, life jacket)
Course completion certificate
Accommodation at Shivanandi River Lodge
Meals (Standard Vegetarian Indian)

What's Not Included

Non vegetarian meals (additional cost)
Beverages

Refund Policy

100% refund:If cancelled 20+ days before course start date
50% refund:If cancelled 15-19 days before course start date
30% refund:If cancelled 7-14 days before course start date
No refund:If cancelled less than 7 days before course start date

Gallery

A glimpse into life at Shivanandi River Lodge.

Family enjoying their time at Shivanandi River Lodge

Kids enjoying rafting on Alaknanda River

Mornings in front of Shivanandi River Lodge

Things to Carry

To ensure a comfortable experience for your child (and yourself if you're joining), please bring:

Essential Items

Quick-dry clothing (synthetic or wool, avoid cotton)
Swimming wear
Water shoes or sneakers that can get wet
Sunscreen (water-resistant, SPF 30+)
Towel and extra set of clothes
Water bottle (1 litre minimum)
ID proof (for parent/guardian)

Additional Good To Have Items

Hat or cap
Lightweight rain jacket
Insect repellent
Personal medications
Camera (waterproof) or phone in dry bag

Important Note

All kayaking equipment is provided by National Outdoor School. Do not bring valuables that cannot be secured during river activities.

Instructor Profiles

Shalabh Gahlaut

Shalabh is a pioneer of white water kayaking in India with decades of experience in the sport and is the first to kayak a number of rivers in the Indian sub-continent. He is deeply passionate about rivers and has produced some of the top talent in the whitewater industry through his mentorship and guidance. He built Shivanandi River Lodge together wishing it to be a place of relaxation, a place close to the mountains and rivers, and a home for the family. The family home evolved into a lodge and a popular destination among adventure and outdoors enthusiasts, especially among kayakers from across the world.

Jogi Nayak

Jogi is a passionate kayaker and an advocate for the sport. His passion for white water kayaking has made him explore more than 25+ rivers across the Indian sub-continent. He is a Certified White Water Rescue Technician from Rescue 3 International and a certified river guide from US National White Water Center, which is the training ground for olympic athletes. He believes that white water kayaking is not just a sport, but a way of life that connects people with nature and helps them discover their true potential. He is committed to sharing his knowledge and experience with others, and helping them develop their skills and confidence on the water and outdoors. Jogi's mission with National Outdoor School is to make quality outdoor education accessible to all and build a community of nature lovers, outdoor sports enthusiasts and world class athletes.

Arjun Sagoi

Arjun has vast experience working as a river guide and rescue professional in whitewater operations across India and Iceland. Arjun's specialty is smooth lines, calm and calculated river running with top notch human skills. When not on his home rivers the Alaknanda and Pindar he can be found hucking falls in India and Iceland.

Daman Singh

Daman Singh is a highly accomplished white water kayaker in India. He has won accolades in International competitions and has vast experience across rivers in India, Nepal and Iceland. He loves sharing his knowledge and experience with others, guiding them into becoming better paddlers. Daman is also a certified white water professional. He has vast experience working as a river guide in India, Nepal and Iceland.

How to Get There

By road: Rudraprayag is about 4–5 hours from Rishikesh, 5–6 hours from Haridwar, and 5–6 hours from Dehradun.
Nearest airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (roughly 5–6 hours by road to Rudraprayag).
By train: Nearest major railheads are Haridwar and Rishikesh; continue by taxi or bus to Rudraprayag.
Once in Rudraprayag, follow directions to Shivanandi River Lodge. We share detailed directions after registration.