Alaska’s Prince William Sound
2026-07-12 - 2026-07-18 | Whittier, AK, Whittier, AK, United States
Experience the beauty of Alaska’s Prince William Sound on this 6 day experience. Along with peaks rising 4,000 feet from the sound, you will experience glaciers calve in the distance, catch a glimpse of the area’s diverse wildlife, camp on remote beaches, and more.
Sample itinerary:
Our group will meet in Anchorage and shuttle as a group to Whittier on the morning of our first day. We will pick up our rental boats, check and sort gear, and load to boats and make our start for camp. We will use a water taxi to whisk us to a remote location so we can make the most of our time on the water. During the course of the six on-water days, we will paddle our way back to Whittier, visiting beautiful places and gorgeous camp sites along the way.
Destinations will vary based on conditions and may include Blackstone Bay, Port Nellie Juan, Culross Passage, Derickson Bay, and Kings Bay. Accommodations in the back country will include a variety of camp sites.
On our final day, we will return to Whittier. After returning our boats and packing gear, we will celebrate the trip’s end and relive the experience with a final group dinner.
Trip includes logistics planning, kayak, paddle, and PFD rental, water taxi, and all group meals while on expedition. Group members will be expected to assist with minor camp duties and sharing the load with group gear.
Group members are expected to provide their own airfare to and from Anchorage, pre/post expedition lodging, personal paddling and camping gear, clothing, meals when off the water, and personal snacks. If additional transportation via water taxi is needed for evacuation or extraction due to weather, medical emergency, etc., that cost will be extra and split among group participants. These expenses are not included in the trip cost below.
It is expected that participants interested in joining this trip will have participated in a minimum of three, full day journeys e.g. longer than 8 nautical miles, be appropriately skilled in group travel, self and assisted rescue techniques, and have personal paddling skills consistent with ACA Coastal Kayak Level 2.
Cost: $1,700 per participant (limited to 5 guests)
Dates: July 12-18, 2026
PROGRAM FULL! Join the waitlist

Trip Policies
Before reserving your spot in any trips, please read the following carefully:

All trips are held rain or shine. Severe weather or weather unsuitable for your skill level will result in it being rescheduled for a later date.
You will be required to read and sign a waiver form prior to participation in any trip.
All participants will wear a properly fitted personal flotation device whenever on the water.
Electronics on the water – AT YOUR OWN RISK – If you choose to bring a phone, camera, key fob, or anything electronic, get a dry box for them at any local sporting goods store, or leave them back on dry land!

Cancellations:

You can cancel up to 60 days before the event and receive a 75% refund.
If you cancel with 30-59 days before the event, you will receive a 50% refund.
Cancellations within 29 days of event, no refunds unless we can get someone to take your place in which case you would receive a 50% refund.
If a medical emergency should arise at the last minute, please call us. We will try to re-schedule you into another trip in the future, but we cannot provide a guarantee. Documentation may be requested.
Cancellations at our discretion due to weather will be rescheduled for a later date or a full refund will be given.

Paddleboarding Essentials
2026-07-29 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Detroit) | Arbutus Lake, 506 E Arbutus Lake Rd, Traverse City, 49696, United States
This class teaches paddlers the basics for paddle boarding in a fun and safe way.
You’ll learn about different paddling board features and types. Learn how to make the paddle board go where you want it to go and basic safety skills needed on the water. You will have the opportunity to learn what to do when (not if) you end up in the water.
This class is great for beginners but anyone who has never received formal instruction will benefit.
Registration available through Paddle Antrim

ACA Level 1 Introduction to Kayaking Skills
2026-08-01 10:00 - 17:00 | Arbutus Lake, 506 E Arbutus Lake Rd, Traverse City, 49696, United States
The Introduction to Kayaking (Level 1) skills course is an introductory program that will provide you with the skills, knowledge, and abilities to be safe and confident on the water. A boat with sealed bow and stern bulkheads is recommended to participate in capsize and rescue technique activities. Spray skirts will not be used during this class. Topics covered include:

Personal and group equipment
On and off water safety and etiquette
Safe launching and landing
Strokes to maneuver your boat forward, backward, stopping, turning, and sideways
Bracing to avoid capsize
Controlled capsize and wet exit

Date: August 1, 2026
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Traverse City, MI
Registration available through Northwestern Michigan College

Practical Coastal Kayak Navigation
2026-08-02 09:00 - 13:00 | Bowers Harbor-Traverse City, Neahtawanta Rd, Traverse City, MI, 49684, United States
Navigational knowledge and proficiency is important in order to be a safe, effective, efficient paddler, paddlecraft leader, and paddlecraft instructor. The purpose of this skills course document is to develop venue-appropriate navigational knowledge and skills.
During this class, participants will plan a short day trip as a group and have an opportunity to share navigation responsibilities on the trip.
Areas of focus include:

Learn to effectively read a navigational chart
Identify direction, buoys, day marks, lights, channels, and other significant features and their importance
Measure distance and depth from the chart
Develop a fundamental understanding of tides and current and their importance to paddlers
Understand and learn to file a float plan
Using a VHF radio for information and emergency calling
Recognizing risk of collision using bow angle and movement with respect to land
features
Maintain approximate estimate of position through use of piloting and handrailing

This is an early-season event and the water will be cold. All participants must be dressed for the water temperature. A kayak with sealed bulkheads will be required.
Venue: Traverse City, MI
Date: August 2, 2026

Review course policies

Quickstart to Kayaking Skills
2026-08-05 17:30 - 20:30 | Arbutus Lake, 506 E Arbutus Lake Rd, Traverse City, 49696, United States
The Quickstart to Kayaking skills course is an introductory skills program that will provide you with the fundamental skills, knowledge, and abilities to improve safety and confidence on the water. Spray skirts will not be used during this class. Topics covered include:

Personal and group equipment
On and off water safety and etiquette
Safe launching and landing
Strokes to maneuver your boat forward, backward, stopping, and turning
Controlled capsize and wet exit

Date: August 5, 2026
Time: 5:30-8:30 pm
Location: Arbutus Lake, Traverse City, MI
Registration available through Paddle Antrim

Your first kayak overnight
2026-08-08 - 2026-08-09 | Bowers Harbor-Traverse City, Neahtawanta Rd, Traverse City, MI, 49684, United States
Our 2-day/1-night journey on Northern Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay is the perfect introduction to kayak camping. If you’ve been itching to learn the skills needed to spend a night living from your boat, join us!
Our self-supported journey will take us to Power Island, a unique 202-acre rustic paradise on West Grand Traverse Bay. Before leaving the mainland, we will meet as a group to discuss the trip, distribute, and pack group and personal gear for the afternoon trip. After loading boats, we will make our way to the island and a waterfront camp site. After setting up camp, we will prep our kitchen, enjoy a delicious meal (nothing freeze dried here!), and wrap the night around a roaring fire searching for stars.
On day 2, we will have breakfast, break camp and repack our boats for the return trip to the mainland.
A night under the stars
Trip includes logistics planning, campsite reservations and fees, and dinner and breakfast while camping. Group members will be expected to assist with minor camp duties and sharing the load with group gear.
Group members are expected to provide their own boat (minimum 14′ with sealed bulkheads in bow and stern), personal paddling and camping gear, clothing, and snacks.
It is expected that participants interested in joining this trip will have participated in a minimum of three day journeys longer than 5 nautical miles with a group and be familiar with and have practiced self and assisted rescue techniques.
Location: Traverse City, MI
Date: August 8-9, 2026

The Empire Experience
2026-08-15 09:00 - 13:00 | Empire, MI
If you’ve ever been on the Sleeping Bear Dunes overlook watching kayakers in the water below and wondering what that was like, here’s your chance to find out.
The day starts with a safety discussion and paddling skills review. Leaving from Empire, we will follow the shoreline with views of the dunes and the Manitou Islands in the distance.
Bring your kayak (must have two sealed bulkheads), paddle, and life jacket, or rent from our quality fleet, paddle and properly fitted life jacket included ($35).
Registration available through Northwestern Michigan College

Camp Rutabaga
2026-08-27 - 2026-08-30 | Camp Manito-wish, Boulder Junction, United States
Join me at Camp Rutabaga in Boulder Junction, WI.
This one’s all about community. Whether you paddle a recreational kayak, canoe, sea kayak, or river kayak, this is where you will want to be, where you will make memories with new and old friends.
Good fun.
Good food.
Days on the water and evenings by the fire.
Come join the fun!

ACA L1/2 Coastal Kayak Instructor Update
2026-09-12 08:00 - 16:00 | Traverse City, Traverse City, MI, United States
Get together with your fellow instructors to sharpen your skills and meet your four-year requirement to keep your ACA certification current.
Topics include:

On-water skills and maneuvers
Risk management and safety
Assessment techniques
Self and assisted rescue techniques
Teach back opportunities
On-land safety presentations
Administrative support

The program will involve a full day on the water preceded by a 1.5 hour virtual session to cover administrative topics.
Date: September 12, 2026
Venue: Traverse City, MI

Review course policies

Community Paddlesports Leader Certification - PRIVATE PROGRAM
2026-10-09 08:00 - 2026-10-12 17:00 | Traverse City, Traverse City, MI, United States
The ACA’s Community Paddlesports Leader offering is the entry point to leading on the water.
This program focuses on developing the confidence to safely and effectively lead day excursions on calm waters. This four-day dynamic learning experience covers paddling technique, decision-making, communication, planning, risk management, and rescue solutions – all while having fun.
Ideal for:

Camps and outdoor nonprofit staff
Club, meetup, university, and park leaders
Casual paddlers who want to safely take their friends and peers on outings

This is a private program. If you are interested in a private program for your group, please contact John.
Course venue: Traverse City, MI
