Sydney Harbour Kayaks
Private Kayak & Surf Ski Lessons
Private Kayak & Surf Ski Tuition
Accelerate Your Paddling Journey
More personalised. More focused. More effective.
Whether you're taking your very first paddle strokes, preparing for an Antarctic expedition, training for a major paddling event or looking to refine advanced sea kayaking skills, private tuition provides the fastest path to improvement.
At Sydney Harbour Kayaks, our private lessons are completely tailored to you.
There is no set curriculum, no rigid lesson plan and no need to keep pace with a group. Instead, our experienced instructors design each session around your goals, your experience level and the skills you wish to develop.
Quite simply, it is all about you.
Learn from Australia's Most Experienced Paddlers
Sydney Harbour Kayaks has been teaching paddlers for more than three decades.
Our instructors include expedition paddlers, sea kayaking specialists, surf ski paddlers, guides and teachers with experience ranging from Sydney Harbour to some of the world's most challenging paddling environments.
Whether your goal is recreation, adventure, fitness or competition, we can help you develop the skills and confidence to achieve it.
What Can We Teach?
Private tuition allows us to create a completely customised learning experience.
Popular lesson topics include:
✔ Introduction to Kayaking
✔ Beginner Sea Kayaking Skills
✔ Intermediate & Advanced Sea Kayaking
✔ Surf Ski Skills & Technique
✔ Open Water Confidence
✔ Bracing & Stability Skills
✔ Self Rescue & Assisted Rescue Training
✔ Eskimo / Kayak Rolling
✔ Surf Zone Skills
✔ Ocean Paddling Techniques
✔ Expedition Preparation
✔ Navigation & Trip Planning
✔ Balanced Boating
✔ Kayak Camping & Multi-Day Touring
✔ Preparing for an Arctic or Antarctic Expedition
✔ Long Distance Race Preparation
✔ Hawkesbury Canoe Classic Training
✔ Massive Murray Paddle Preparation
✔ Personalised Harbour or Coastal Guiding
If your paddling goal isn't listed above, simply ask.
We'll build a lesson specifically for you.
Learn with Friends or Family
While one-on-one coaching is extremely effective, many paddlers enjoy learning with friends, family members or paddling partners.
Learning together often creates a more enjoyable experience and allows participants to practise skills together after the lesson.
Group private tuition is available and can be tailored to suit couples, families, friends and small paddling groups.
Prices for Private Lessons and Kayak Rental
Additional paddlers are $85 each per lesson
Antarctic & Arctic Expedition Preparation
Each year we assist paddlers preparing for expedition cruises and kayaking adventures in Antarctica, Greenland, the Arctic and other remote destinations.
Many expedition travel operators require participants to demonstrate a suitable level of paddling competence and safety awareness before joining their guided kayaking programs.
Our instructors can help prepare you for these extraordinary adventures through focused coaching in:
✔ Double sea kayak paddling
✔ Wet exits and rescue techniques
✔ Group paddling procedures
✔ Communication on the water
✔ Cold water safety awareness
✔ Expedition paddling skills
We can also provide a Sydney Harbour Kayaks Certificate of Completion for paddlers who complete relevant safety and skills training.
If you're planning a once-in-a-lifetime expedition, there is no better investment than building confidence before you travel.
Why Private Tuition Works
Private lessons allow us to focus entirely on your development.
You receive:
✔ Personalised instruction
✔ Immediate feedback
✔ Faster skill progression
✔ Flexible lesson content
✔ Training at your own pace
✔ Access to premium equipment
✔ Coaching tailored to your paddling goals
Many paddlers achieve more in a single private lesson than they would in several group sessions.
Equipment & Rentals
If you do not own a kayak, don't worry.
Sydney Harbour Kayaks has a large fleet of sea kayaks and surf skis available for tuition.
A discounted rental fee applies when hiring equipment for private lessons.
Our fleet includes:
✔ Stable beginner kayaks
✔ Touring sea kayaks
✔ Expedition sea kayaks
✔ Double sea kayaks
✔ Performance surf skis
✔ Composite fibreglass, Kevlar and carbon fibre craft
We'll help select the most appropriate equipment for your lesson objectives.
Lesson Availability
Private tuition is available by appointment.
Our instructors are generally available seven days per week throughout the warmer months, with winter tuition available on request.
As lesson times are customised around instructor availability, we recommend booking as early as possible.
Your Journey Starts Here
Whether your goal is to paddle further, paddle safer, paddle faster or simply paddle with more confidence, our private teaching programs provide a pathway to get there.
From your first paddle stroke to your next major expedition, Sydney Harbour Kayaks can help you become the paddler you want to be.
Simply complete the booking request form below and we'll help design the perfect lesson for your goals.
