Kayak Courses in Austria
Kayak Austria
Austria has the reputation of having some of the biggest rivers in the Alps. The River Inn is actually the biggest volume of water and with over 10 sections to paddle in both Austria and Switzerland the River Inn provides some great white water throughout the season. The Sanna is an Alpine Gem and is loved by everyone who kayaks it. The upper tributaries such as the Rosanna and Lech also deliver throughout the Spring and early Summer. There is also of course the Oetz river which includes the Lower section of the Wellebrücke known throughout the world as the Sickline, where the extreme kayaking championships used to be held annually.
Arlberg Region
We are based in the Arlberg Region of Austria in the far west, it is just 1 hour from Innsbruck and just over 2 hours from Zurich, Switzerland or Munich in Germany.
The Arlberg is renowned for its snow in the ski resorts of St.Anton and Lech/Zuers and of course that snow then feeds our rivers throughout the Summer. In-fact in this part of Austria we have the longest whitewater kayaking season in the Alps. The season here starts in April and finishes in mid-October. It is not just the winter snow that feeds our rivers throughout the season, with glaciers in both the Engadine in Switzerland and Tyrol, Austria keep the rivers topped up throughout the Summer months.
Kayak School Arlberg
Throughout your time on one of our Austria kayaking courses you will feel and certainly see the difference in your technique and understanding of whitewater kayaking. All of our Team here at the Kayak School Arlberg are qualified through British Canoeing.
Paddle UK
Why Paddle UK?
Well, firstly there is NO professional kayak instructor qualification in Austria, so it means we have to travel afield to gain a professional whitewater qualification.
Secondly, the British Canoeing coaching and instructing modules and qualifications provide a great insight into the art of coaching and we implement this ethos and method on various levels, be that Beginners, Class 2, Class 3, Class 4 and over.
Austria Kayaking Courses
So with the huge amount of experience we have gained over the decades of coaching, teaching and instructing plus the structured system of British Canoeing we can offer a kayaking course for you to gain the most out of your time on a river with us.
One of the first conversations we have on the way to the river is… Just what do you want from your time with us?
Once we have an idea of your goals and aims we can then start to put a coaching plan together for the duration of your time with the Kayak School Arlberg.
We structure the course on the best river for your abilities! We are not trying to trash you and get you swimming down every rapid, we see enough of that watching others. We calm it all down and keep you within your comfort zone throughout the coaching session, which means you can learn without the feeling of making a mistake that leads you to a capsize or even swim. What we are trying to achieve is for you to learn in the optimum environment and the only way to improve and try different techniques or styles is to do it in a way that you feel confident enough to try them. This is true for all of our kayak courses here in Austria which gives you the perfect progression for skill development and of course confidence.
With different coaching and teaching styles our team here at the Kayak School Arlberg can adapt ourselves to the way YOU learn, we do not have one set way of kayak coaching which means we can coach in different styles to different learners on the same river feature.
Our courses are very progressive, so it means we build you up throughout your time with us on a kayak course here in Austria. We start with the basics or fundamentals, giving you a solid foundation which will help you not only improve but to get to the next level, be that becoming a more confident or solid whitewater kayaker, to moving up a class or to a different style of river, coincidently which we have in abundance in this part of Austria.
By looking at the 3 subjects of Body, Boat and Blade we can work with you in cementing the fundamental skills of white water kayaking. From there we can improve not only your technique but also your understanding of white water, reading white water and the tactics of white water kayaking are extremely important and compliment your technique!
At the end of every course, we sit with you and give you feedback as to what you were good at, what you need to think about and improve and how you can achieve this.
So come along to one of our Kayak Courses in Austria, improving your technique and understanding of white water, kayaking beautiful rivers in stunning surroundings and all with the warm Austrian hospitality that just wants you to come back year after year!
Have a read through our courses below and if you would ask us a question or find out more you get in touch with us.
Class 3-4 Whitewater Kayaking Courses
One of our most popular courses and trips by far! The 2 to 6 day Class 3-4 Kayaking Course is all about cementing the fundamentals of whitewater kayaking on some of the most spectacular whitewater on the planet. It is the perfect opportunity to kayak various rivers in Austria, Switzerland and even Germany with the ideal water levels. You will come back feeling a much more confident kayaker with new skills and a greater awareness of the tactics, skills and tricks for kayaking various styles of Class 3 and Class 4 whitewater! It is also a special time to be in the Austrian Alps when all our major rivers are in great condition with optimum levels and long days of glorious sunshine, there is certainly no place we would rather be.
Class 2-3 Whitewater Kayaking Courses
One of the biggest challenges facing a whitewater kayaker is moving up a grade. As a class 2 kayaker it is a big step up to class 3 but with some world class coaching and a solid foundation of skills and understanding of whitewater the step up to class 3 becomes a whole lot easier!
We spend anything from 2 to 6 days working on your fundamental skills as a whitewater kayaker. From riverside sessions, to theory in the sand, or coaching in the swimming pool, all of these locations alongside our in depth knowledge and world class coaching will help you attain the goal of becoming a confident class 3 kayaker. We have some fantastic rivers and sections such as the River Lech to coach and teach on all of which are set in some stunning alpine scenery.
Beginner Kayaking Courses
Kayaking is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. The feeling of independence and achievement is topped off by running rapids on a stunning river with mountains and alpine meadows adding to the serene beauty! Whether it is a 2-4 day course or our Zero to Hero Beginner Kayaking Course, with our renowned coaching and instruction and plenty of practice, you will gain a solid foundation and experience of kayaking various styles and characters of whitewater to Class 2.
Intro to Creeking Kayaking Courses
Making the move from running rivers to Creeking should not be daunting! It is all about learning new skills well within your comfort zone. By developing your understanding and being able to implement skills as efficient forward paddling, river feature awareness and timing of a stroke, will help us immensely when we move onto steeper rivers. Our Introduction to Creeking kayaking course is designed for Class 3 kayakers. We will set you up with a great foundation of skills, knowledge and experience which will put you on the path to running steeper rivers, rapids and drops confidently and in control.
Class 4 Kayaking Courses and upwards
Our Class 4-5 Alpine River Running Kayaking Course is looking to make an advanced kayaker into a complete kayaker. So whether it is big volume, technical, continuous rapids, pulling some moves down the river or heading into a gorge, we will tailor each session to your individual needs. Improving your understanding, approach and technique while running some of the best white-water Europe has to offer in a safe manor with no sketchy lines, flipping over on every rapid!
Creeking Kayak Courses
Austria has some of the best creeking around be it the higher reaches of the Rosanna, the Lech Gorges and of course the Oetz Valley! It is also combined with one of the longest seasons in the Alps, it is a fantastic destination set in some of the most dramatic mountain scenery on the planet. By breaking down each section, drop or rapid on a particular part of the river this can help us put each piece of the puzzle together. Of course with lots of action, rapids, drops and moves to make you will have time to perfect your technique and get it right coupled with our extensive knowledge and world class coaching, This is our Creeking Kayaking Course available from 2 to 6 days!
Beginner Booster Kayak Courses
Our Beginners Booster kayaking course is the perfect way to rekindle that adventure spirit and get back in the flow on one of our stunning rivers around Base Arlberg in Austria. This is not a complete repeat of our Beginners Course but more focused on the fact that you have had some experience in a whitewater kayak but lack the technique and kilometres for a Class 2-3 Course. Whether you completed a beginner whitewater kayaking course and never sat back in a kayak to getting back in a whitewater kayak after a long time or even a nervous class 2 kayaker who has had enough of swimming the river every time. Our Beginner Boosters kayaking course will get you back on track and rekindle that spirit of a whitewater kayaker!
Family Kayaking Courses
Don’t think it is just the adults that have all the fun!! Whether you are completely new to the sport of white water kayaking or have experience kayaking rivers, we offer various bespoke white water kayaking courses for Families throughout the season here in the Arlberg, Austria.
The beauty and advantage of a bespoke Family Kayaking Course is that we can tailor the days kayaking to your families goals, needs, skill level and ages.
It has proved to be very popular throughout the Summer here at the Kayak School Arlberg, the only thing we would suggest is to book early as we get completely booked out through the high season of July and August.
