What do you need to bring to your first kayaking lesson?
For a first lesson with Learn to Kayak, we supply the kayak, the paddle, and a correctly fitted personal flotation device (PFD), plus the safety gear the session needs. You bring quick-drying clothes you don't mind getting wet, footwear that fastens to your feet, a hat, sunscreen, water to drink, and a towel and dry change of clothes for afterwards. You do not need to own a kayak, buy a paddle, or track down a life vest before you book.
The reason we hand you the gear rather than send you a shopping list is fit and safety. A PFD has to be the right size and done up correctly for it to work, and a paddle sized to your height and the boat makes learning far easier. We size both to you at the start of the session.
What does Learn to Kayak provide versus what you bring?
Here is the split for a standard beginner lesson on calm or gentle water:
We provide | You bring |
|---|---|
Kayak or packraft suited to your size and the water | Swimwear or quick-drying clothes you can move and swim in |
Paddle, sized to you | Water shoes, sandals with heel straps, or old runners you can swim in |
PFD (life vest) fitted to Australian Standard | Hat and sunscreen |
Safety and rescue equipment for the session | Water bottle |
Instruction from a qualified guide | Towel and a full dry change of clothes |
Helmet, on moving-water sessions where it's required | A light waterproof or spray jacket if the day is cool |
Two things on that list decide how much you enjoy the day. Avoid cotton and dress for the water temperature rather than the air temperature; REI's beginner guide makes the same point, because cotton stays cold and wet once you splash, and Melbourne river water runs colder than a warm afternoon suggests (REI, How to Kayak: A Beginners Guide). Footwear matters just as much: thongs float away, so bring shoes or sandals that strap on.
If your lesson moves onto whitewater or moving water, a helmet is worn, not optional, and we provide it. On flat, sheltered water a helmet usually isn't needed. We'll tell you which applies to your booking before the day.
What happens at your first lesson?
Your first lesson starts on land with a safety brief and a gear fit, then moves onto the water for the core skills. We check your PFD fit, size your paddle, and cover how to hold it, how to get in and out of the boat, forward and turning strokes, and what to do if you tip over. From there you practise on the water with the instructor close by.
You do not need to be able to do anything before you arrive except be comfortable getting wet. Beginners tip over sometimes, and learning a wet exit calmly in shallow, controlled conditions is part of the point. That is why the full dry change of clothes on your packing list is not optional.
What does a kayaking lesson cost?
Currently a beginner or intermediate lesson or clinic is $180. Private lessons are $250 for the first person. This is because we supply the boat, paddle, PFD and safety gear, there is no separate hire cost to add on top for a standard lesson. You simply book and pay for your spot in the group, or a private lesson on the website.
If you're weighing up buying your own equipment later, hold off until after a lesson or two. Trying different boats first tells you far more than a shop can, and we resell Alpacka packrafts and distribute Lattitude packrafts and kayaks, so you can ask us directly once you know what kind of paddling you enjoy.
Where does Learn to Kayak run lessons?
Learn to Kayak runs lessons and guided trips around Melbourne, including sessions on the Yarra River, with packraft training, guided river trips, and multi-day expeditions such as the Snowy River further afield. Lessons are held at Westerfolds Park in Templestowe, Wonga Park, and on the Thomson River and Mitchell Rivers, as well as the King RIver. If you're unsure whether your location or a particular river suits a first-timer, ask when you book and we'll match the water to your experience.
How do you book a lesson?
Book by adding your desired class to the shopping cart, tell us how many people, their ages and rough experience, and the date you're after, and we'll confirm the meeting point, start time and what the water conditions mean for your gear. We run beginner lessons, packraft training, club coaching, and school and outdoor education programs, so mention which you're chasing. Simply book and pay online to confirm your lesson.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to buy a life jacket or PFD before my lesson?
No. Learn to Kayak provides a PFD fitted to you, made to the Australian Standard for the water we paddle (Level 50 or 50S for most sheltered conditions). We fit and check it as part of the safety brief, and it's worn at all times on the water. Buying your own only makes sense once you paddle regularly.
What should I wear kayaking if it's a cool day?
Wear quick-drying layers and add a light waterproof or spray jacket, and skip cotton entirely because it holds cold water against your skin. Dress for the water temperature, not the air, since a mild Melbourne day can sit over cold river water. Bring a full dry change of clothes and a towel for afterwards regardless of the forecast.
Do I need my own kayak to take a lesson?
No. We supply a kayak or packraft matched to your size and the water, along with a paddle sized to you. Trying our boats first is the better way to work out what to buy later, and we can talk you through Alpacka and Lattitude options once you know your paddling.
Are lessons suitable if I've never kayaked and can't roll?
Yes. First lessons are built for people starting from zero, and no prior skill is assumed beyond being comfortable getting wet. You'll learn basic strokes and a calm wet exit in controlled, shallow conditions with the instructor beside you.
What qualifications do your instructors have?
[ADD: your instructors' current certifications, e.g. Paddle Australia / Australian Canoeing awards, first aid, and years running lessons around Melbourne]. Ask us at booking if you'd like specifics on the guide running your session.