White water kayaking at Shivanandi River Lodge in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand

Whitewater Kayaking - Foundations

4 days

View all Whitewater Kayaking Courses - For Beginners|Uttarakhand

Limited availability for this course!

Course Description

This is the perfect course for those who want to start their whitewater journey but have less time to spare.

Sessions happen in beginner friendly sections of the Alaknanda River and in the natural infinity pool at the lodge.

Season

October - June

Location

Shivanandi River Lodge, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand

Group Size

Maximum 7 participants per batch

Skill Level

Beginner - no prior experience required

Duration

4 days

Shivanandi River Lodge

The lodge in located on the banks of the Alaknanda River and has easy access to other classic Himalayan Rivers - Pinder, Mandakini, Bhagirathi and Ganga.

The place is built for kayakers by a kayaker — a riverside home where paddlers train, rest, and share the valley with a fun community that lives the sport.

Facilities

Freshly cooked home-style, healthy meals
Comfortable rooms
Natural swimming pool overlooking the Alaknanda to relax-in, swim-in and practice kayaking skills
GREAT COMPANY!!

Main buildings at Shivanandi River Lodge

A riverside room at Shivanandi River Lodge

Natural swimming pool at Shivanandi River Lodge

Sunset over the Alaknanda from Shivanandi

Mornings in front of Shivanandi River Lodge

At the end of the course you will be able to:

Navigate a white water kayak in class 2 sections of the Alaknanda river with the guidance of instructors
Perform self-rescue techniques

Eligibility

Previous kayaking experience not required
Above age 12
Must not suffer from medical issues that prevents the participant from taking part in physical intensive activities
Ability to swim and float comfortably in deep water with the help of a PFD
Proven physical fitness

Safety

Our courses are conducted with high safety standards:

Learning sessions in a safe and comfortable environment
Effective and well tested methods of teaching and progression
Instructors with decades of experience in white water
Instructors are certified first aid and CPR providers and whitewater rescue experts
High quality, international standard equipment

Curriculum

Introduction

Kayak design
About equipment
Kayak fitting
Kayak carrying technique
River safety briefing

Paddling techniques

Forward stroke
Back stroke
Eddy in
Eddy out
Ferrying
Edge control

Self rescue

Wet exit
Throw bag rescue
White water swimming
Eskimo roll

Down river skills

River running (Class 2)
Dealing with river features
Safety Protocols

Fees

₹24,000 ₹20,000

*For accommodation and food pricing please see other costs section below*

What's Included

Professional instruction from top instructors and kayakers in India
All whitewater kayaking and safety equipment(kayak, paddle, spray skirt, helmet, life jacket, splash jacket, wet suit)
Safety kayakers on river trips
Transportation for River Trips on the Alaknanda River
Course completion certificate from National Outdoor School

What's Not Included

Transportation to course location
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

Other costs

ACCOMODATION AND FOOD OPTIONS:

1) Pitch your own tent - Rs. 500 / tent / night (Breakfast - Rs. 200 / head, Lunch - Rs. 400 / head, Dinner - Rs. 400 / head)

2) 3 sharing room - Rs. 2000 / head / night (Includes dinner, breakfast and lunch)

3) 2 sharing room - Rs. 2500 / head / night (Includes dinner, breakfast and lunch)

4) Private room - Rs. 5000 - Rs. 6000 / night (Price depends on type of room. Includes dinner, breakfast and lunch)

Steps to book

Follow these steps to confirm your spot in the course:

Fill out the enquiry form on this page with your details.
Our team will contact you to confirm your eligibility for the course.
Make 50% advance payment and complete the course registration form to reserve your slot
Receive your slot confirmation

Gallery

Things to Carry

To ensure you have a comfortable experience during the course, please bring the following items with you:

Essential Items

Quick-dry clothing (synthetic or wool, avoid cotton) - Preferable full sleeves and tight fitting
Swimming shorts/trunks
Water shoes or light weight sports shoes (that can get wet)
Water bottle (1 liter minimum)
ID Proof
Personal medications(if any)

Additional Good To Have Items

Sunglasses
Sunscreen (water-resistant, SPF 30+)
Towel
Hat or cap
Dry bag
Camera (waterproof)
Snacks or Energy Bars

Important Note

All specialized kayaking equipment will be provided by National Outdoor School.

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.

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