Learn to kayak—and advance your skills to the next level. Most kayak classes begin in the Pier 4 embayment at Brooklyn Bridge Park, providing a protected area to learn to paddle or improve your skills. Our instructors are
experienced in guiding students of all ages through basic strokes, paddling techniques and advanced skill development. Come prepared to have fun and check out our FAQs on what to wear and bring!
Beginner Kayak Classes
Kayak Fundamentals – ACA level 1
A thorough introduction to decked boat kayaking. Learn the fundamentals of your boat, gear, and the essential paddling strokes that make kayaking fun. It’s a huge help to learn correct form early – you will paddle more efficiently and be able to improve rapidly.
Dates: See Calendar
Level/Pre-requisites: Beginner
Price: $125
Intermediate Kayak Classes
ACA Level 2
An 8-hour intermediate class that will take your skills to a new level. Even most paddlers with years of experience will benefit from this thorough exploration of the theory and practice of paddling a kayak. Don’t just thrash through the water: learn proper technique that promotes efficiency & provides a gateway to more advanced skills.
Dates: See Calendar
Level/Pre-requisites: Level 1 skills
Price: $125
Reserve Your Spot!
ACA Level 2 Review & Certification
Approximately half the 8-hour class will review & fine-tune skills necessary to be certified at Level 2. Depending on conditions we may incorporate a short trip into the review. Then it’s showtime: you will demonstrate, individually and with partners, the paddling and rescue skills that you have mastered. Not everyone will be certified, but everyone will come away with a clear picture of their strengths and areas to improve.
Dates: Contact Us
Pre-requisites: Level 2 Skills
Price: $125
Reserve Your Spot!
The Elegant Blade
An elegantly handled paddle is a quiet and cool demonstration of skill. But it is more than that: it is also the key to efficiency. Find your inner elegance through demonstration, experimentation, and games. (2.5 Hours)
Dates: See Calendar
Pre-requisites: Level 2 Skills
Price: $40
Reserve Your Spot!
Advanced Kayak Classes
ACA Level 3
This 8-hour class refines your strokes and introduces cool new skills. Learn to paddle with efficency, fluidity, control, and grace. We begin to learn more about paddling in a coastal environment & explore more advanced safety & rescue techniques (detailed curriculum goto American Canoe Association website).
Date: See Calendar
Pre-requisite: Level 2 skills.
Price: $125
Reserve Your Spot!
Flat Water Safety
This is an 8-hour day of learning & practicing a wide variety of safety & rescue techniques. Self-rescue & group rescue skills are introduced, from essentials to the exotic. Each paddler has a chance to discover which works best under which circumstances. Rescues & recovery techniques must be constantly practiced.
Date: See Calendar
Pre-requisite: Level 2 skills.
Price: $125
Reserve Your Spot!
Trip Leader Training And Certification
This advanced 2 day class is intended for those who will be leading kayak trips & have good personal skills & experience & want to take the next step: leading other paddlers. You will learn how to plan a safe trip, how to lead others effectively, how to minimize risks.
Dates: See Calendar
Pre-requisite: Level 2 skills.
Price: $250
Reserve Your Spot!
Coastal Kayaking Instructor Training
We will be offering a 2-day Level 1-2 ACA Instructor Development Workshop followed immediately by a 2-day Instructor Certification Exam. After a summer of improving your skills, you’ll be ready to tackle this instructor training.
Pre-requisite: Level certification
Dates: See Calendar
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Bouncy Currents
(ACA Level 3/4)
An introduction to the unique challenges and fun of paddling in swiftly moving harbor currents. Play and experiment with your paddling and rescue techniques in open bouncy water.
Dates: See Calendar
Pre-requisite: Solid Level 2 skills.
Price: $125
Reserve Your Spot!
Lumpy Waters
(ACA Level 4)
Introduction to rough water skills and the joy of playing in moving waters. Beach launching and landing techniques; reading moving water; control in current; use of the stern rudder in current and surf; effective edging and bracing when broached; surf in tide- race; group management, and safety in the surf zone. Held at Democrat Point, Long Island.
Pre-requisite: Solid Level 3 skills.
Dates: See Calendar
Price: $125
Reserve Your Spot!
2022 INSTRUCTION SCHEDULE
For more information: info@kayakfoundation.org
American Canoe Association Coastal Kayak Classes Levels 1-4
JUNE 26 ACA Level 4 – ‘Lumpy Water’ Surf & Current, Democrat Point
JULY 9 ACA Level 1 – Fundamentals, Brooklyn Bridge Park
JULY 23 ACA Level 2/3 – Flatwater Safety, Lake Sebago
JULY 30 ACA Level 2 – Intermediate, Brooklyn Bridge Park
AUGUST 6 ACA Level 2/3 – Flatwater Safety, Brooklyn Bridge Park
AUGUST 14 ACA Level 3/4 — ‘Bumpy Currents’ BBP / Governors Island
AUGUST 20 ACA Level 1 – Fundamentals, Brooklyn Bridge Park
AUGUST 27 ACA Level 2 – Intermediate, Brooklyn Bridge Park
SEP. 10 ACA Level 3 – Advanced Intermediate, Brooklyn Bridge Park
Most classes: $125
Small group classes (2-5) on request
Stand Up Paddleboard ACA Levels 1 & 2
Small group classes (2-3) on request
Contact: info@kayakfoundation.org
View Our Calendar
Address & Directions
We are located at One15 Brooklyn Marina, 159 Bridge Park Dr, Brooklyn, NY 11201. Whether you enter from Pier 6 located near Atlantic Avenue or Old Fulton Street, follow the path to the One15 Brooklyn Marina between piers 3 and 5. You’ll know it when you arrive: you’ll see the moored sailboats.
Nearby Transportation
There is indoor public parking at the One Brooklyn Bridge Park residential tower. Free parking in the neighborhood near the park is extremely limited and cannot be counted on, but you could try. We highly recommend taking public transportation, biking or walking to the park. BBP is accessible by subway (A/C to High Street, F to York Street or 2/3 to Clark Street train station) bus (nearest buses are the B25, B61, B63, B67) or arrive by East River Ferry or NY Water Taxi.
Biking
If biking is your preferred means of transportation then the Brooklyn Bridge Park is the perfect place for you. Whether you enter from the North or South Entrance of the park, there’s a bike path that will lead you to Pier 4.