Whitewater
Learn to navigate rivers through the adventure sport – whitewater kayaking. Combine your love for nature, the thrill of waves & water, and the joy of learning a new skill. Whether you’re an experienced paddler seeking the ultimate rush or a beginner looking to explore the wonders of river kayaking, whitewater kayaking with our instructors can take you there.
What is your level?
Beginner:
- Do not need to own your own kayak and equipment
- No to some experience in a whitewater kayak
- No roll to sometimes rolling in flat water
Intermediate:
- You own your kayak and equipment
- You have a roll in moving current
- Have boat control to navigate class II whitewater
Advanced:
- You own your own kayak and equipment
- Reliable combat roll
- You are looking to explore new and class IV rivers
- Looking to develop swift water or kayak instructor skills
Find a class
Beginner Kayaking
FOR ADULT PADDLERS
Our beginner kayaking lessons are structured into SIX progressive lessons, giving you all the skills you need to feel confident and competent on the river. Rolling classes are recommended to supplement river classes. Classes are held at Riley’s Lock, Lock 6, or Anglers Inn, minutes from DC. Our program travels so that we can utilize the best section of river for the class goals.
Upcoming Classes:
Pool Rolling: November to April, learn to roll when it’s cold– in an indoor pool!
Rolling on the River: Certain Wednesdays and Sundays in the summer!
Private Lessons: Let us design the perfect program for you or your group!
Intermediate Kayaking
FOR ADULT PADDLERS
Intermediate paddlers have a solid flat water roll, an emerging whitewater roll, and some class III whitewater experience. Students are expected to have their own boat and equipment.
Upcoming Classes:
Other Classes:
Winter Slalom: Workouts October – March focus on proper technique to make your paddling more efficient and effective.
Private Lessons and Coaching- Customize your instruction and goals with a dedicated coach who will help you reach your full potential.
Lower Yough Trips: Join us on the Lower Yough the last weekend of every month Customize your instruction and goals with a dedicated instructor who will help you reach your full potential.
Open Rolling: Practice your roll during the winter in an indoor pool!
Open Practice: Lock 6 on Tuesday evenings.
Training Programs:
FOR STRENGTH, ENDURANCE, AND CONFIDENCE
Advanced Kayaking
Advanced paddlers have a solid whitewater roll and some experience on class IV rivers. We know you often serve as trip leaders with groups and friends. Work with us to expand these skills, paddle with a thriving community, and discover new rivers.
Upcoming Classes:
Other Classes:
- Private Coaching– Work one on one or with your crew to set goals and get after them
- Surf Academy with Professor Zonedogg
- Trainings
- Cheat Training and Cheat Elite Paddle twice a week in March & April.
- Yough Training Registration for May 2025
- Fall Training Registration opens in June for Fall 2025
- South East Stouts Training May-June
- Trips:
- Professional Development
Races:
- Seneca Showdown May 2, 2027
- Alseseca Race Jan 9, 2027
- Savage River Race
Announcements:
Zero to Hero
Calleva offers a 6 lesson membership package that takes you from a paddling zero to kayaking hero. Join to run your first class lll rapid and learn a roll.
I cannot imagine learning how to kayak any other way. I went from having no kayaking experience to running class ll-lll within a month.
Josh Nerud
Itinerary: An intensive kayaking program with 30 hours of instruction throughout a one-month period. River School will take you from never being in a kayak before to running your first river!
Locations: We utilize multiple sections of the Potomac River to give you the best experience possible.
The BEST way to learn to kayak! This all-in-one-month program provides you with everything you need to take you from Zero to Hero! You will gain a solid foundation of paddling skills, safety training, and experience with river running. There is no other program like it.
- All 6 beginner river classes
- 3 rolling classes
- Access to our Tuesday night practice sessions during your Zero to Hero month!
Guarantee
Have you finished the Zero to Hero but don’t quite have those roll steps down solid? or do you need more practice on leans and peel outs? Any former beginner student may attend classes after the end of a month’s program until he/she is satisfied to have mastered the skills covered in that course until the end of the season. Please do let the office know you plan to attend, you must be sure there is space in the class.
ZTH Schedule is 4 weeks. Use the start date for your month and follow along:
| Tuesday | Wednesday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 am – 11 am | 9 am – 1 pm | ||
| Level 1 Intro | Level 3: Maneuvers | ||
| 11-3 pm | Riley’s Lock | ||
| Level 2 Foundations | |||
| Riley’s Lock | |||
| 6-8 pm | 6-8 pm | 9 am – 1 pm | |
| Open Practice | Rolling on the River | Level 4: River Running | |
| Lock 6 | Lock 6 | Anglers to Lock 10 | |
| 6-8 pm | 6-8 pm | 9 am – 1 pm | |
| Open Practice | Rolling on the River | Level 5: Rescue Essentials | |
| Lock 6 | Lock 6 | Riley’s Lock | |
| 6-8 pm | 6-8 pm | 9 am – 1 pm | |
| Open Practice | Rolling on the River | Level 6: Beginner Trip | |
| Lock 6 | Lock 6 | Great Falls to Anglers |
* Weeknight classes in September are 5:30 – 7:30 pm
