Kayak courses: from beginner to river kayaking

We teach river kayaking in Ensenada to teenagers and adults, starting from scratch. You begin on the lake with paddling technique and the Eskimo roll, then move to the river to learn to read the current. There are three courses: introduction, beginner and intensive.

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Quick facts

Courses: Introduction, beginner and intensive
Duration: From one 3-hour lesson to 8 lessons over a month
Age: 16+ for the intensive course
Price: From CLP 60,000
Level: All start at beginner level
Where: Lake Llanquihue and the river
Requirement: Basic swimming

Professional instructors
Full gear
Transfer to the river
Photos and video

A kayak lesson with colorful kayaks on the shore of Lake Llanquihue

Students sitting in river kayaks on the beach before getting on the lake

The silhouette of a kayaker at sunset on Lake Llanquihue

A person in a helmet sitting in a river kayak at the water's edge

A person practices in a river kayak, with snowy mountains behind

A group in helmets and life jackets beside river kayaks, seen from above

What you learn on a kayak course

First on the lake: paddling and the Eskimo roll

The first lessons are on the lake, in calm water. There you practice paddling technique, balance and the Eskimo roll, the move that brings you back up without leaving the kayak when you capsize.

Then on the river: eddies, ferries and reading the current

Once you have the technique, you move to the river, starting with the calmest currents. You practice getting in and out of eddies, the calm spots behind rocks, and crossing from one bank to the other, which is called ferrying. That is how you start to read the river and its currents.

What the intensive course covers

The intensive course teaches you to run class II and III rapids with technique and safety. It covers:

Basic gear concepts
Balance, propulsion and steering
Safety and running the river as a group
Safety with a throw rope
Defensive and offensive river swimming
Visual signals on the river
Introduction to reading the current: eddies, ferries and hazards
Introduction to the Eskimo roll and the T-rescue

Three courses, all from beginner level

The courses are for teenagers and adults, and all of them start from scratch.

Introduction: one 3-hour lesson

A way to try river kayaking in a single lesson. It costs CLP 60,000.

Beginner course: 3 lessons

Three lessons to learn the technique on the lake and take your first steps on the river. It costs CLP 180,000.

Intensive course: 8 lessons over a month

Eight days spread over a month, about 30 hours in total, from age 16. It ends with running class II and III rapids; the difficulty depends on each student's progress. It costs CLP 450,000.

What is included and what to bring

Included in the course

Professional instructors, the transfer between the base and the river, photos and video of the lessons, and full gear: river kayak, paddle, spray skirt, wetsuit, river life jacket, helmet and throw rope.

What to bring

A change of clothes, a towel, sunscreen, a water bottle, and sportswear and shoes that can get wet. The only requirement is basic swimming.

Kayak lesson prices

The introduction costs CLP 60,000; the beginner course, CLP 180,000, and the intensive course, CLP 450,000. All include full gear. To book, message us on WhatsApp with the course you want and the number of people.

River kayaking and sea kayaking

For calm water, try sea kayaking on Lake Llanquihue, a guided trip through the lake caves. For a first taste of the river, with no course needed, rafting in Ensenada is for ages 10 and up. And to paddle on your own on the lake, there is kayak and SUP rental.

Kayak lessons FAQ

What kayak courses are there?

There are three, all starting at beginner level: introduction (one 3-hour lesson), beginner (3 lessons) and intensive (8 lessons over a month, about 30 hours).

Do I need experience?

No. All three courses start from scratch. You only need basic swimming.

What is the minimum age for lessons?

The intensive course is for teenagers and adults from age 16. All courses start at beginner level, so no experience is needed: only basic swimming.

Is the gear included?

Yes: river kayak, paddle, spray skirt, wetsuit, river life jacket, helmet and throw rope.

Where do the lessons take place?

The first ones on Lake Llanquihue; then you move to the river, starting with the calmest currents. The transfer between the base and the river is included.

How much does a kayak course cost?

The introduction, one 3-hour lesson, costs CLP 60,000; the beginner course, 3 lessons, CLP 180,000, and the intensive course, 8 lessons over a month, CLP 450,000. All include full gear and the transfer to the river.