COMPREHENSIVE COURSES for beginners, paddle fitness, and skills development for recreational and professional kayakers.
Pick up kayaking as a hobby or way of life. Exercise body, heart, and brain. Learn how to safely enjoy the beauty of nature and discover new places that you never knew existed.
Schedlue a Skills Development Workship in St Augustine Florida.
Check out our online learning lab below before class.
Knowledge is your lifeline and is required for those wishing to guide others.
For best results, complete at least 3 of the ACA online certification courses linked below before coming to your first workshop.
Is this your jam?
Browse over 500 more videos on Riverwind Kayak’s YouTube Channel
Prepare for Success
Safe kayaking begins long before your paddle hits the water. That’s why GeoTrippin offers a comprehensive online education program — completely free — designed to give you the knowledge and confidence you need.
Led by Tom Nickels, Level 4 Coastal Kayaking Instructor Trainer, this program is your gateway to professional paddling. Whether you’re launching a new career or certifying your team to lead group adventures, you’ve found the trusted resource to help you reach your goals.
There are only a handful of ACA Instructor Trainers in the world who can certify kayak instructors. One of them is Tom Nickels, who offers Instructor Certification Workshops (ICWs) up and down the East Coast of the United States. Arrangements can be made to certify your organization’s guides anywhere in the world.
Groups of five or more can schedule custom certification events at a time and location that works best for them.
Individuals can also browse Tom’s calendar to find scheduled dates and locations throughout the year with GeoTrippin’s preferred training partner.
This is your opportunity to learn from the best — and build the confidence to lead others safely on the water. Call a Professional Guide to ask questions or find out more: (904) 314-7876
Master the Fundamentals – NO COST or MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED
Your path to success on the water begins with these online certification courses.
(Available in English and Spanish)
Learning the basics is essential to staying safe on the water. No “bicycle arms” or “T-rex hands” in this pod — good technique starts with good habits. The best way to build those skills is to learn from experienced professionals and work with a qualified local coach.
Your true lifeline in kayaking isn’t just your gear — it’s your ability to plan, prepare, and practice. And for those who want an extra layer of safety, understanding how to respond to emergencies and unexpected wet exits can be the difference between panic and confidence. Knowing how to save yourself and others is paramount.
Smart Start for Safe Paddling Online Course
This online training program is brought to you through a partnership between the ACA and the U.S. Coast Guard, and was developed to meet the ACA standards for paddlesports safety education. This course is mobile-friendly from start to finish and is designed to work on your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.
Topics included:
You may complete the course at your own pace. The course can be completed in one sitting or you may save your progress and return at a later date. Most students finish the course in about 20 minutes. There is no minimum age requirement to take this online course.
Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a completion certificate.
This online course is produced under a grant from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard.
NEXT STEPS
Take the next step in your paddling journey by finding an ACA Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) near you.
Here in St. Augustine, FL, certified instructors can be hard to come by — but lucky for you, GeoTrippin is right here in town.
We’ll learn, train, and grow together. Everything you need to pass with flying colors is right at your fingertips:
🧭 Mentorships
💼 Internships
💰 Paid Training
🛶 Guide Certification
Welcome to the Pod!
Choose a local training option and schedule at your convenience.
📌 Minimum 2 students per class
👩🏫 Maximum 5:1 student-to-instructor ratio
Find out if kayaking is right for you. An introductory class for all age groups & fitness levels. Focus on being comfortable in a kayak. Learn stroke technique to prevent injury and increase endurance. Work on speed, power and maneuvering skills with strength and confidence.
90 min | $48
All ages, abilities, and skill levels. Learn how to plan trips and safely enjoy the sport of kayak touring. Paddle and learn as we explore the great outdoors. Go on a kayak adventure with your own personal coach. Focus on the kayak touring skills and theory to fit your style and interests.
4 hrs | $98
Kayak workouts improve the ability to sustain a prolonged period of effort without fatigue or distraction.
Kayak lessons create time to calm the mind and reflect for reduced stress, increased happiness, and improved focus.
Develop strong core, stability, flexibility, and endurance. Build, tone, and vascularize muscles with regular kayak lessons.
