Kayak Lessons FAQs
Due to U.S. Forest Service regulations, our availability for whitewater kayaking lessons is limited by both the number of days and specific times we’re permitted to operate on the river.
Once we receive your requested date(s), we’ll review our current permits and schedule, then reach out via email to confirm your lesson. This message will include your final date(s), a payment link, and 3 links for 3 forms to fill out. It will also include details about which section of the river you’ll be paddling. You and your instructor will discuss a meet up time.
Please note that during certain times of year or depending on the section of whitewater, we may not be able to confirm your request until up to two days before your lesson. We will do everything to get a confirmed date ASAP.
Awesome — you’re almost ready to hit the water! To finalize your booking, please complete payment and submit the required forms:
- Level Up Kayak School Waiver & Medical History
- Chattooga Whitewater Shop Waiver
- Level Up Kayak School Questionnaire
Your lesson is not officially confirmed until we’ve received payment and all completed forms. Once everything’s in, you’ll get a final confirmation email with the details you need for your day on the river.
In certain situations, yes. Once your date(s) have been confirmed, reach out to us if this is the option you want.
We run trips mainly on section 3 and 4. This all depends on the time of year and what type of lesson you are requesting. When you book, you will be able to input which section you prefer.
Plan to be on the water for most of the day, so come prepared! Bring plenty of water, snacks, and a packed lunch to keep your energy up. We’ll take a break mid-river to refuel before getting back to the fun.
You’ll get access to all the photos and videos your instructor took when you purchase The Eddy Chat add-on. The Eddy Chat is a 30-minute virtual debrief where you and your instructor review your footage, discuss what went well, and identify ways to keep leveling up your skills. It’s the perfect way to reflect, learn, and plan your next steps on the river.
At the Chattooga Whitewater Shop (also known as Humble Pie).
14239 Long Creek Hwy, Long Creek, SC 29658
When your instructor calls before the lesson, you’ll decide together on the start time that works best for you. Most lessons begin between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m.
Get ready for a full day on the water! Most lessons run about six hours, but the flow of the day depends on your energy, goals, and what you want to get out of your time on the river. We’ll pace things to keep it fun, challenging, and rewarding.
Before your lesson, your instructor will give you a quick 10-minute call to learn more about your goals and experience. You’ll also fill out a short questionnaire that helps your instructor tailor the lesson to your skill level and what you want to accomplish on the water.
We will rarely reschedule a lesson due to weather, except for natural disasters or extreme weather.
Your instructor will reach out to you directly to schedule your Eddy Chat session within one week of your lesson date. You are also welcome to reach out to your instructor directly if you prefer to arrange a time sooner.
SWR FAQs
Yes, absolutely. Our River Ready Swiftwater Rescue course is highly recommended and one of the best investments you can make early in your paddling journey.
While you may think rescue skills are only for experts, this course is crucial for beginners for two main reasons:
Personal Safety: You will learn essential self-rescue techniques, like how to properly swim in current and avoid getting caught in hazards. Your ability to safely exit your boat and manage a swim is your most important skill.
Accident Prevention: The course teaches you how to "read" the river to identify and avoid dangerous obstacles before they become an emergency. Learning prevention is the first and most critical step in river safety.
You don't need to be an expert paddler to join—just comfortable being in moving water. We strongly encourage all paddlers to complete a course like our River Ready within their first year of kayaking.
Swiftwater Lab is a one-day, scenario-driven rescue course built for paddlers who want to take their river safety skills to the next level. Designed as a progression from our River Ready course—or for those with prior swiftwater training—this class focuses entirely on real-life scenarios, boat-based rescues, and the specific challenges you’ve faced (or want to be ready for).
There’s no set script here. This course is shaped by you—your past river experiences, your questions, and the moments where you thought, “What should I have done there?”
Whether you’re looking for more hands-on practice, targeted feedback, or deeper understanding of team-based rescue in dynamic environments, Swiftwater Lab is your space to refine, explore, and level up.
If you are enrolled in our River Ready course, please meet at the Bull Sluice parking lot. We will hold our classroom portion under the pavilion Friday starting promptly at 6 pm.
If you are enrolled in our SWR Labs course, please meet us at the Chattooga Whitwater Shop promptly at 8:30 am.
Since our classroom portion is held in an outside covered area (@ Bull Sluice), please plan for the weather each day. Bring whatever helps you focus and stay comfortable:
Warm Layers: Dress appropriately for outdoor temperatures, rain, and cold.
Hydration & Food: Ample water, snacks, or a packed dinner
Comfort: A comfortable chair to use during our covered outdoor sessions.
Note-Taking: A notepad and pen for taking notes on the new concepts you'll be learning.
Required Gear for Friday (Classroom Session)
For Friday's concept introduction and gear review, please bring only the following three pieces of equipment you would routinely carry on the river:
Throw Rope
Rescue PFD (Personal Flotation Device)
Helmet
Important Note: We encourage you to bring your own throw rope and rescue PFD. If you do not yet own these items, please contact us ahead of time. While we will do our best to accommodate gear requests, our supply for loaning these specific items may be limited.
For safety and effectiveness, you must bring and wear the following:
Closed-Toed Shoes: These are absolutely mandatory for protecting your feet in the river. No sandals or open-toed footwear.
Dry bag - This is optional but helpful in bringing your lunch and other items you may want.
Your "Big Five" Kayaking Gear:
PFD (Personal Flotation Device)
Paddle
Skirt
- Helmet
Boat of Choice
Essential Layering for Submersion
A large portion of the day will be spent in the water, potentially including rain. Proper layering is your primary defense against hypo- and hyperthermia:
Plenty of Layers: Bring clothing appropriate for swimming, regardless of the air temperature.
Insulation: Use non-cotton layers (wool, fleece, synthetics, or neoprene/dry suits) as your barrier from the cold. Layering is what will keep you safe and comfortable.
Food and Hydration
Each individual is responsible for their own nutrition and hydration throughout the day. Please pack accordingly:
Lunch: A hearty meal to fuel your training.
Snacks: Plenty of snacks to match your individual energy needs.
Water: Ample drinking water to stay hydrated.
While a formal mechanical advantage kit ("pin kit") is not required for this course, having your own gear is helpful for practice and essential for future trips.
If you are looking to build or bring a basic rescue kit (often called a "Pin Kit"), we recommend the following components:
Carabiners: 3 locking carabiners
Webbing: 1 piece of 16-foot tubular webbing
Throw Rope: 1 throw rope, preferably a minimum of 70 feet
Prusik Cord: 2 pieces of 8-foot prusik cord (3mm–5mm diameter)
Pulleys: 2 small pulleys
General FAQs
Yes, we recommend Chattooga Sounds Campground.
Yes! We love teaching kids. Please reach out to us using our contact form to discuss the best lesson options for their age.
See our cancellation and rescheduling policy for more information.
We highly recommend you read through our Terms, Cancellation, Payment and Conduct Policy
Long Creek, South Carolina, is an outdoor adventurer's paradise, centered around the Wild & Scenic Chattooga River and surrounded by the Sumter National Forest.
Hiking and Waterfall Exploration
The area is known for numerous stunning waterfalls and rugged trails within the Sumter National Forest.
Long Creek Falls: A beautiful 50-foot cascading waterfall with a popular plunge pool.
Brasstown Falls: A series of four falls, ranging from 20 to 40 feet, accessible via a recently updated trail.
Licklog and Pigpen Falls: A family-friendly mile-long hike to two picturesque cascades.
Bull Sluice Overlook: A short, easy hike to a viewing area that offers a front-row seat to one of the Chattooga River's most dramatic Class IV+ rapids.
Chattooga River Trail: A long, rugged trail (15.5 miles) that runs parallel to the river and offers magnificent gorge views.
Farms and Local Attractions
Chattooga Belle Farm: A 200-acre working farm and destination venue.
U-Pick Fruit: Pick your own seasonal fruit (apples, peaches, berries, etc.).
Dining & Spirits: Visit the Farm Store, grab lunch at Belle's Bistro, or sample local spirits at the on-site Distillery.
Recreation: Play a round on the picturesque 18-hole disc golf course.
Apple Orchards: Long Creek was historically a major apple producer, and you can still visit several local roadside stands and orchards for seasonal fruit and products.
Historic Sites: See the historic Raines Mill or the building that houses the Long Creek Academy/Wildwater Outpost.
Silver Dollar Music Hall: Enjoy timeless bluegrass music on Friday nights.
Aerial and Land Adventures
Ziplining/Canopy Tours: Experience high-flying thrills with guided canopy tours that feature multiple zip lines, some passing over a lake.
Camping & Lodging: The area offers various accommodation, from rustic campsites and yurts to luxury cabins and cottage rentals.
Off-Road Trails: Explore beginner off-road trails in the surrounding National Forest areas.
You can visit local outfitters and the Long Creek General Store for maps, gear, and current information on all these activities!
We are happy to recommend lodging options operated by fellow members of the paddling community. For a true local experience, we suggest checking the availability of the Airbnb operated by the Gregory Family—a local kayaking family.
The airbnb is a cabin at the base of a 35-foot waterfall, nestled in the middle of 16 secluded acres surrounded by national forest that extends to the Chattooga River.