Kayaking: the Pursuit of Fluid Harmony
A kayak is a slender craft that you can take to places amazing to
behold. But the journey is only part of the appeal: paddling a kayak
is incredibly fun and Otter Bar specializes in bringing your
skills to the level you want.
From first time beginners to advanced river runners and play
boaters, we customize our program to fit your needs.
 Our
instructors are well known experts and leaders in the sport. Our
equipment is the newest and best available. Our
lodge features private beaches,
crystal clear swimming holes, instructional ponds, deluxe
accommodations, and a pristine free-flowing river.
Your time here will be memorable.
We're open from mid-April to mid-September (see our
schedule).
We lead our early season kayak courses on the wild and scenic Salmon River,
just outside our front door. When water levels drop to low
summer flows (usually in late June), we head to the nearby Klamath River.
With dam-controlled flows, the Klamath has plenty of water all the
way through summer's dry and sunny days. Both rivers are part
of the National Wild & Scenic River System.
We offer the following whitewater kayak courses:
The Beginner knows little or nothing of kayaking and needs only
the desire to learn.
The Basic Intermediate class is
for those who have formerly attended a beginning school here or
elsewhere or have had some river experience and are ready to go on
to the next level.
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We invite you to come paddle with the best
and see what it does for your technique. |
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The Intermediate/Advanced boater kayaks fairly regularly,
has a good river roll and wants to learn more advanced skills.
These courses accommodate people with varying degrees of ability and
we have a wide array of quality whitewater to tailor the program
accordingly.
We also offer these special programs:
Play Boating &
Advanced River Running Skills for paddlers looking to kick start the
season, learn the latest moves, and just get all around better.
 Not Quite Grown-Ups Kids Kayaking Camps for kids age 10-14. These
are operated concurrently with our adult programs. Discounts apply
when parents and kids both attend. Our brand-new
Teen Leadership
Camp focuses on trust, responsible decision making, river
leadership, fun, and safety for teenage kayakers. Our annual
Grand Canyon Trip in
early autumn for kayakers with good class 3/3+ skills and a strong
river roll. Raft passengers are welcomed.
We now offer two premier 12 day New Zealand Kayak Trips.
One trip is for paddlers with class 2+/3 skills. The other trip is
for paddlers with class 3+ and up skills with a strong river roll.
A Typical Day at Otter Bar
Every day at Otter Bar is filled with fun times, wonderful food,
and good company. Read more about
a typical day at Otter Bar.
Each day begins with a wholesome breakfast, organic coffee
or tea, and juice in the lodge.
After breakfast, a short theory session in the living room covers
technique and skills appropriate to your paddling.
Then we head for the river, breaking into groups of 3 or 4
students per instructor and start paddling. Your instruction
will be personalized to your needs and desires. Lunch is a
riverside affair featuring sandwiches, fruit, and freshly baked
goods.
We're back on the river after lunch to enjoy more stunning
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Kayaking is an unusual sport. Exacting. Demanding. Exciting. You will play on the river like an otter. |
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scenery and to build and use the skills we've already learned.At
day's end we return to the lodge (or paddle back to it as the case
may be) where après-kayak options include hors d’oeuvres, a
soak in our spacious hot tub, a wood-fired sauna, or a
massage by our skilled masseuse.
You may also choose to take a walk on our trails, swim in
the river, ride one of our mountain bikes, or do whatever you
like. The ring of the gong signals the serving of our lodge's
famed gourmet dinners.
By dinner's end, the sky is filled with a show of stars,
completely undiminished by city lights. Rest for the night on
a soft bed, awake to a fire in the living room, and start again.
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