- Portland, Maine
Try practicing yoga while floating on a SUP on Casco Bay! You don’t need to be an expert yogi or an expert paddler.
Quick Details
We offer private instruction for paddlers of all skill levels
Portland Paddle offers a wide range of classes taught by American Canoe Association-certified instructors and licensed Maine Guides. Rates cover the use of a kayak or SUP, though you are welcome to use your own. Book a private lessons if you prefer more customized instruction or different timing than the group lessons.
Our expert kayaking and SUP instructors offer private lessons covering a wide range of paddling knowledge — from advanced skills like surfing and rolling to more basic skills like how to fit yourself in a kayak properly and how to execute effective forward strokes. Any of the classes listed above on this page can be offered as a private lesson. All lessons are taught by licensed Maine Sea Kayak Guides, and all intermediate and advanced classes are taught by ACA-certified instructors. Lessons typically take place at our East End Beach site in Portland, but we can can also arrange lessons at other sites in the Greater Portland region. The use of a kayak or SUP and paddling gear is included in the lesson pricing.
Our Most Popular Options for Private Instruction
TWO-HOUR PRIVATE LESSON – $130 for one person, $35 per additional person
We recommend that most students start with a two-hour private lesson. This is a good length for an introductory kayak or SUP lesson, or a slightly more advanced lesson focused on a particular set of skills, like rescues, rolling, navigation or bracing. However, for students looking to cover a range of skills in one lesson we suggest a longer session.
HALF-DAY PRIVATE LESSON (4 hrs) – $205 for one person, $45 per additional person
A longer lesson creates the opportunity to learn a wider range of skills and to use those skills while paddling to a nearby destination. For our half-day lessons we often take a trip into the nearby islands, stopping along the way for instruction and practice. This is an especially good option for intermediate and advanced paddlers looking to take their skills to the next level and have an opportunity to paddle Casco Bay.