FAQ

To have the best first time experience you should do a shorter program from the Annsville Creek Paddlesports Center or Norrie Point Paddlesport Center. The best first program is our Annsville Easy Tour or Norrie Short Tour. These are half day guided programs from Norrie and Annsville Paddlersports Centers. You can also start by taking a full day Beginner tour, Sunset tour,or come on a Thursday Night Skill Session. These programs are designed for people with little or no paddling experience. The group is usually made up of  first timers and some other more experienced paddlers. Guides move around to help as needed. If after paddling a few times, you decide you want to get better, than take a Basics instructional program. The First Time page will help guide you in how to get started.

Everyone should start with half or full day beginner tour. If you find them very easy and  have taken a instructional program you can move up to the intermediate tours. For advanced programs you need to have done a minimum of Coastal Paddling and Safety & Rescue.

If you have only kayaked a few times and have never taken a formal instructional program start with Basic. If you have been paddling a while then it might be fine to start with Core Techniques. If you have taken another companies program, read our program description to determine where you fit. It is better to start slow, take one program, than do a few days of paddling before your next instructional program. Each year you should take a minimum of one instructional program.

If time is limited, or your needs specialized, a private program is best. For two people needing equipment on a weekday, a private program is only slightly more than a regular instructional program. With a group of friends you can have a private weekday program for the same price as a regularly scheduled weekend program. We also have specially priced private programs for families and groups of all ages. Weekend availability is limited, due to trip volume.

Personal Kayak Training is purchased at a minimum of three sessions (one block) at a time. The sessions will be scheduled close to each other for two reasons: you can build on the skills you have recently acquired while they are still in your muscle memory, and the continuity will foster your rapid progression. Personal Kayak Training is more of a commitment than one or two Private Programs, but the cost is less per session.

Registrations can be done by mail, e-mail or in person at Annsville or Norrie Paddlesport Centers. Fill out the registration form along with a check or credit card information. If the program is within two weeks, you can call to check availability. In the Summer and early Fall some programs fill up a week or two in advance. If the program you registered for is full, we will call you. Registration Form .

Registration can be done on the phone. Please keep in mind that the phone is very busy and we are out running programs on many days, so mail is the easiest method.

If the program is less than two weeks away - E-mail or call.

If a message is not urgent e-mail works best. In the busy season the phone rings constantly and it's difficult to answer every call. If you are trying to sign up for a program see "How do I sign up for a program." See the Contact page for more information.

For questions on rentals or retail sales, Thursday Skill Sessions contact the Paddlesport Center (during the season)

• Annsville; e-mail: Annsville@AtlatnicKayakTours.com Phone (914) 739-2588
  Norrie; e-mail: Norrie@AtlanticKayakTours.com Phone (845) 889-8461
  

For tours and instructional programs contact the main office (year round)

Payment must be included with the registration form, so it must be mailed in or over the phone with a credit card.

Once we receive your registration form, we will send an e-mail with a Program Description in PDF format attached. The information will include directions, meeting time, equipment list, liability release form and other information relating to the program.

We accept credit cards in person at the Paddlesport Centers or over the phone.

We cancel programs only if the weather forecast is very bad, but we try not to cancel. Wind affects us more than rain. Spring and Fall programs get cancelled more than summer programs and we try to cancel the night before the program. It is important that the phone number you give us is where you can be reached the night before the program.

The cancellation policy is on the registration form.

Directions will be sent upon registration and are not located on the website. We do have directions to the Annsville Creek Paddlesport Center and to Norrie Paddlesport Center on the website.

We use boats from Necky Kayaks, Nigel Dennis Kayaks, Valley Canoe Products, and others. Our 125 boat fleet is made up of fiberglass and plastic kayaks. There is a wide selection of kayaks to pick from. We feel the quality of the equipment is reflected in the safety and enjoyment of paddling. Once you paddle a high quality kayak, you won't want to paddle anything else!

Space is available on our registration form for your kayak request. The farther in advance you register and request a model the greater the likelihood we can provide it. If the request is very important please state that. Many people will request a general boat for example: a fast single, a stable single, a double.

Fill in your approximate size and we will bring a boat to fit you.

Check our page on what kayak is acceptable for which programs?

Most beginner programs meet at about 9:30, so you have time to get your kayak and equipment ready. It is important that we be courteous to the entire group, so please arrive on time. Some advanced programs start earlier. Always check the trip description for starting time. Annsville Easy and Norrie Short Tours have different start times throughout the season.

Annsville Easy and Norrie Short Tours are the least difficult, followed by full day beginner tours. Intermediate tours are harder, but the degree of difficulty is affected by your physical condition. The weather (wind) and the other clients will also determine the speed and difficulty of the program.

Most programs are for 16 and above. We do have several programs suitable for children and families. Annsville Easy and Norrie Short Tours allow for younger paddlers (see descriptions).

Disposable waterproof cameras are best. Zip locks or dry bags are not a guarantee for your valuable cameras.

It depends on the time of year.You should wear appropriate footwear at all times. You will need to walk into the water to get in and out of the kayak. In the spring and fall keep away from cotton. A detailed equipment list is sent upon registration. We have farmer john suits and paddling jackets available for rent, if you don't have appropriate clothing.

Yes we can. On our registration form there is space for you to let us know what your special needs are. Below is our Access Statement.

Atlantic Kayak Tours is dedicated to expanding opportunities for paddlers of all abilities through equal access to our programs, adaptive training, and the enthusiastic support of our staff and all who paddle with us.

We don't recommend you bring cell phones. They don't hold up well  in water, even the best dry bag will leak a bit.

Alcohol cannot be allowed on any day program.

Bring your own lunch for all programs, and of course plenty of water!

The trip directions you receive will offer information on restroom availability at the launch site. Rest stops are taken while on the water, but we need to rely on the facilities provided by nature.

While there are other good outfitters, they are in the minority. This is our twenty fifth year of running kayak programs. The success of our business is measured by the number of returning clients. Most of our 20 plus staff members were our clients at one time. We all love to paddle and share our knowledge with others. No other company has a better and wider selection of equipment. Our tour and instructional selection is the most varied available. Our business plan remains focused on quality, not quantity.

We hear lots of feedback from clients. See the index of clients letters.

Yes, gift cards are available at Annsville, Norrie or by phone.