Beginner Kayaking Course in Vuosaari

Weekend beginner kayaking course in Vuosaari, learn the basic skills safely under the guidance of a professional instructor in the stunning Eastern Helsinki archipelago.

📅 Sat 6 June 2026, 10:00–16:00, Sun 7 June 2026, 10:00–16:00

📍 Vuosaari Paddling Centre, Natura Viva

🎫 €179

On the beginner kayaking course, you will learn the basic kayaking skills in a safe environment!

Kayaking is a versatile hobby that smoothly combines active exercise with relaxation in nature. You can join Natura Viva’s kayaking courses without any previous kayaking experience.

On the course, you will learn basic kayaking techniques and assisted rescue. During the course, you will also get to know kayaking equipment and how to plan your own kayaking trip.

Customer feedback from kayaking courses

“Good, compact group. The instructors were highly professional, and I felt that I received high-quality individual instruction even though we were in a group.”

“The course was very educational and enjoyable. It offered just the right amount of challenge and gave a clear idea of how to continue kayaking as a hobby.”

“The capsize exercises were much nicer and more fun than I had expected. We laughed a lot.”

The Eastern Helsinki archipelago is a wonderful kayaking destination

There are dozens of recreational islands, beautiful maritime nature and very little other water traffic near Vuosaari Paddling Centre. This is an excellent place to learn kayaking, and to continue the hobby after the course.

The beginner course takes place on Saturday and Sunday, both days from 10:00 to 16:00.

Natura Viva kayaking courses, small group size and professional guides

All Natura Viva instructors are experienced kayaking professionals. We keep the group size small on our beginner courses, and we have an excellent student-to-instructor ratio.

Natura Viva’s beginner kayaking course follows the Paddler 1 content of the Finnish Canoeing and Rowing Federation. The aim of the course is to give participants the skills to continue practising independently and safely. The course lasts 10 hours, most of which is spent on the water.

From beginner course participant to Natura Viva season pass holder

We also support continuing the hobby. After completing the course, you will receive a free two-hour kayak rental at Vuosaari Paddling Centre or an equivalent discount on a Natura Viva season pass.

Course programme

• Getting into and out of a kayak
• Paddling forwards and backwards with correct technique, and stopping the kayak
• Turning the kayak using a stern rudder stroke, sweep stroke and edging
• Capsizing, exiting a capsized kayak and getting back into the kayak
• Acting as a rescuer in a capsize situation
• Moving the kayak sideways
• By the end of the course, you will be familiar with different types of kayaks, paddles and equipment, as well as the basics of kayaking safety

Further information

• Vuosaari Paddling Centre, Harbonkatu 13, 00980 Helsinki
• Number of participants: 7 people
• Weekend beginner course takes place Saturday to Sunday, both days 10:00–16:00
• Instructors: Natura Viva’s professional guides
• No previous kayaking experience is needed. Minimum age 16 years. Participants under 18 require parental permission.
• You can pay for the course in the online shop using Epassi, Smartum and Edenred sports benefits. Read more about using sports benefits.

Price includes

• Instruction and guidance during the course
• Kayak
• Paddle, spray deck and buoyancy aid
• Free 2-hour kayak rental or benefit towards a Natura Viva season pass
• Until the end of May, a dry suit can be borrowed for the rescue exercise. From the beginning of June, wetsuit bottoms can be borrowed for the rescue exercise.

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