ACA Smart Start Kayaking in Neptune Township, NJ

Level 1: Introduction to Kayaking skills workshop is completed in 3-4 hours and includes on-land learning and on-water practice.

Participants may use a sit-on-top or sit-inside kayak. Please note: Inflatable kayaks are excluded.

Course fee does not include kayak rental and assumes participant will bring a kayak to use. Sit-on-top kayaks are available to rent.

###OPTIONAL IN-PERSON PURCHASES:

• $20 Kayak rental + PFD - requesting a rental in advance is very helpful.
• $8 PFD only - our life jackets are very comfortable and have pockets.
• $10 Smart Start to Paddling, a book by the ACA (not required, but a great resource to reference after the workshop.)

Cash is preferred for day-of optional purchases, however, we can process a credit card at the river.

Location/Venue: flat water, protected from winds, waves, and boat traffic, within swimming distance from shore.

The Intro to Kayaking course is designed to teach beginner paddlers to safely and enjoyably kayak on lakes, calm, protected coastal environments, and other flat-water settings. This half-day program emphasizes safety and skill acquisition for individuals who plan to recreation kayak in public, private, or commercial settings.

The class ratio is 10 students to 2 instructors. We require a minimum of four students in each class. Our courses are appropriate for all kayak craft, including decked kayaks, inflatables, and sit-on tops. It is assumed all boats will be paddled solo.

All participants must meet the Essential Eligibility Criteria. The minimum age to participate is 14, and minors must be accompanied by their parent or guardian during the course.

IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING AMERICAN CANOE ASSOCIATION (ACA) COURSES:

Paddle Time Kayaks Instructors are ACA Members and Certified Instructors. Therefore, we follow the ACA curriculum and best practices and encourage participants to become members. The annual membership dues is $40/year.

Our courses are open to non-members.

However, we cannot certify or provide a skills assessment to non-members. When we register our course with the ACA, non-members will be categorized as “Practice Students.” If you decide to become an ACA member after we submit our course roster, there is no way to backtrack to associate “Practice Student” status with a membership number.

Please be aware that if you have ambitions to be ACA assessed at a certain skill level (instructor prep) or to become a certified instructor or trip leader, it's in your interest to become an ACA member so we can associate your membership number with the registered course.

Please speak with Kira Lang if you have questions or want to become an ACA member.