What You'll Get
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Paddle into this Groupon for a four-hour beginner’s kayaking course and a trip down a serene and scenic section of the Potomac River. Potomac Paddlesports, one of the top kayaking schools in DC, is known for its dedication to saving the environment: the company founded the Potomac River Access Foundation, uses wind power for 100% of its electricity, adopted part of MacArthur Boulevard, and donates to local conservation groups.
If you’ve never cruised through the East Coast by paddling along on the verdant banks and calm waters of the Potomac, this is your chance to learn crucial kayak skills from professional, friendly instructors. One of Potomac Paddlesports’ American Canoe Association-certified guides will teach you the tricks of properly paddling a flatwater kayak while you discover the flora and fauna of the C&O Canal. It’s worth the drive to Maryland to catch a glimpse of herons, kingfishers, white-tailed deer, and painted turtles while gliding through the C&O Canal National Historical Park.
Equipment is included in the cost of today’s Groupon. Potomac Paddlesports uses stable, easy-to-maneuver Dagger Zydeco kayaks for beginner courses.
Kayaking is a skill that lasts a lifetime, so once you perfect your pirouette and refine your roll, you can plow enders in rough rivers anywhere. The trip starts at 9:45 a.m. on Saturdays (click here to see specific dates). Potomac Paddlesports is about an hour outside DC on the Maryland side of the Potomac in the C&O Canal National Historical Park (access points are just outside the DC beltway at the Angler’s lot and Great Falls Park on MacArthur Blvd.).
Reviews
Yelpers give Potomac Paddlesports 4.5 stars: > * There is no better school to teach you how to do that than Potomac Paddlesports… on second thought, please do not go kayaking: It is addictive and you just add to the traffic jam at the Angler’s Inn parking lot and on the river. – Bernhard F. > * For the DC/VA/MD area, Potomac Paddle Sports is most likely a kayakers [sic] first exposure to Potomac Paddling. Sunny Pitcher, having started his kayaking school, has moved his way up to become the founding father of commercial paddling on the Potomac. – emmy f. > * This place is the greatest, more than just a dog-friendly store, they are devoted to promoting paddling culture, and all three staff I have spoken with were helpful and informative in every way. – song s.
Paddling Tips For Beginners
To get a jump-start on your kayak lesson, follow these essential tips:
- Keep both hands on the wheel at all times.
- If you drop your paddle, don’t attempt to retrieve it. Your kayak will sprout a new one.
- It’s possible to will your kayak to float upstream by concentrating heavily on the lyrics of Motley Crue songs.
- Do not make eye contact with the water. Water is notoriously quick to anger and will capsize your kayak for any perceived slight.
The Fine Print
Promotional value expires Sep 2, 2011. Amount paid never expires. Limit 1 per person May purchase multiple as gifts Must call ahead for availability Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services.
About Potomac Paddlesports
At Potomac Paddlesports, the first professional paddlesports school to be endorsed by the American Canoe Association, the team of American Canoe Association– and British Canoe Union–certified instructors patiently lead students through a methodical progression of flat-water paddling skills. The classes cover a variety of watersports, including whitewater rafting, river and sea kayaking, and standup paddling. The small-group classes are designed to keep students engaged, and longer trips down the Potomac challenge their skills with powerful rapids surrounded by lush scenery, interspersed with rare glimpses of bears putting on their bear suits. Outside of class, students can bond with fellow paddlers during weekly sushi meals and occasional movie nights. Further demonstrating their dedication to bodies of water, Potomac Paddlesports works to preserve the nation’s rivers, estuaries, and oceans, sharing this passion with its members through advocacy and donations to conservation programs.