About
World Class Kayak Academy is a college-preparatory 9th-12th grade high school built around students’ passion for whitewater kayaking. Each school year, our teachers, coaches, and students travel to four of the world’s top whitewater destinations, learning during the day and kayaking after class.
The Kayak Academy is grounded in academic progression, mentorship, teamwork, and life experience. We are first and foremost an academic institution, brought together by a common passion for whitewater. Our experienced faculty, who double as coaches and mentors, are among the strongest athletes in the sport of kayaking and bring a demonstrated passion for learning and progression to the classroom and the river.
Our athletic program develops well-rounded kayakers. Training combines daily kayaking sessions with strength, cardio, and flexibility work designed to promote progression and prevent injury. Students arrive at the Kayak Academy at a range of skill levels and leave prepared for the next chapter of life, on and off the river.
The Kayak Academy is one of five programs within World Class Academy, a 501(c)(3) private high school founded in 2001. Our academies (Kayak, Kiteboarding, Climbing, Surfing, and Mountain Biking) share a belief that the best education happens when learning and passion go hand in hand.
Destinations & Schedule
2027-2028 Destinations
Eastern Canada

Eastern Canada
Aug. 22nd - Oct. 2nd
Q1
August 22nd
Students arrive in Ottawa, Canada (YOW)
August 23rd - October 1st
Quarter One in Eastern Canada
October 2nd
Depart from Ottawa, Canada (YOW)
October 3rd - 23rd
Fall Break
Zambia

Patagonia

Northern Chile

Northern Chile
Apr. 2nd - May. 14th
Q4
April 2nd
Students arrive in Temuco, Chile (ZCO)
April 3rd - May 12th
Quarter Four in Northern Chile
May 14th
Students depart from Temuco, Chile (ZCO)

2027-2028 Schedule
Semester 1
Quarter 1: August 22rd- October 2nd
August 22nd
Students arrive in Ottawa, Canada (YOW)
August 23rd -25th
Student Orientation and Start of Classes
August 23rd - October 1st
The big, warm waters of the Ottawa River are the launching point for our academic year. Students then transition into Quebec and experience big water on the Mistasibbi, classic Quebec creeking in the Fjord du Saguenay, and finish on the waterfalls of the Rouge River. The diversity of Quebec water sets students up for success in the year to follow!
October 2nd
Students depart from Ottawa, Canada (YOW)
October 3rd - 23rd
Fall Break
Quarter 2: October 24th - December 11th
October 24th
Students and faculty arrive in Livingstone, Zambia
October 25th - December 10th
Q2 Zambia: Staying in Livingstone, Zambia for seven unforgettable weeks, students immerse themselves in the world-class big water of the Zambezi River. Dropping into the majestic Batoka Gorge directly below Victoria Falls, the team will spend the quarter mastering big water wave trains, honing playboating skills, and paddling every section down to the deep wilderness stretches. Between academic sessions at camp and multi-day river expeditions, students experience the vibrant culture of Zambia while navigating one of the planet’s best whitewater playgrounds.
December 6th - December 10th
Finals Week
December 11th
Students depart from Livingstone, Zambia
December 12th - January 23rd
Winter Break
Semester 2
Quarter 3: January 23rd - March 11th
January 23rd
Students arrive in Puerto Montt, Chile
January 24th
Student Orientation and start of Spring Semester
January 24th - March 11th
Q3 Chile: The quarter kicks off on the Río Puelo, a vast, turquoise big-water paradise that the kayak world is only just beginning to discover. After charging down its wilderness stretches, the team travels south to set up camp directly on the banks of the mighty Río Futaleufú at Cara del Indio. There the team is immersed in the local culture with students lapping classic big-water features like Mundaca and tackling legendary, granite-walled sections like Inferno Canyon.
March 12th
Students depart from Puerto Montt, Chile
March 13th - April 3rd
Spring Break
Quarter 4: April 3rd - May 14th
April 3rd
Students arrive in Temuco, Chile (ZCO)
April 4th - May 14th
Q4 Chile: Students arrive in Pucón as Autumn sets in, bringing the ideal rainfall to charge up the iconic local creeks and classic rivers. Settling into the rhythm of the Palguin and Trancura valleys, the team will spend weeks lapping volcanic runs and mastering technical lines before venturing south to Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve and the town of Choshuenco. Nestled beneath snowcapped peaks, students will paddle on the pristine waters of the Río Fuy, tackling its basalt waterfall drops and continuous, boof-filled canyons before returning to Pucón to cap off the quarter for finals week.
May 9th - 13th
Finals Week
May 13th
Parent Appreciation Dinner
May 14th
Graduation Ceremony in Pucon, Chile
May 15th
Students depart from Temuco, Chile (ZCO)
Ready to start your adventure?
Kayak Faculty
Coaching & Equipment
Training
At World Class Academy, students are expected to enter the program with strong foundational skills, a whitewater role and a passion for kayaking. WCA will take you to locations throughout the world in search of the best rivers and the training program is designed to promote safety, skill acquisition, and athleticism while following this passion for whitewater kayaking.
Student-athletes kayak almost every day and participate in cross-training morning workouts on all weekdays before the class day begins. These workouts focus on strength and core training, cardio workouts, and stretching. They last between 30 and 60 minutes and go toward fulfilling P.E. requirements.
As a school that’s focused on athletics, we strive to create well-rounded athletes, both on and off the water. We aspire to create kayakers who are skilled in all disciplines of kayaking from freestyle to river running, creeking and waterfalls. The World Class Academy athletic program helps students meet their athletic aspirations and we understand that students’ individual athletic goals vary from some of our athletes working towards competing at a professional level, while others choose to challenge themselves to progress without adding the pressure of competition.
- While kayaking, the team will often divide into groups and venture to different sections of river in order for individuals to develop their skills in smaller groups and on varied types of whitewater. Coaches provide real-time feedback, working with individual athletes on technique as they progress toward their individual kayaking goals.
- On-water sessions focus on learning new skills with technique-building drills (progression sessions) or enjoying a section of river for the love (expression session).
- Mock races and competitions are held periodically to gain competitive experience.
- On weekends, longer river sections are the usual activity as they require more time on the water and longer shuttles.
- Safety skills focused days are held
Equipment
Students should arrive at World Class Academy with everything they need for school, daily life, and kayaking. A commitment to staying organized and taking care of personal and group gear and equipment is essential.
A detailed packing list is shared as a part of each term’s pre-course packet.
Group gear such as safety equipment (Garmin InReach, first-aid supplies, breakdown paddles, etc.) and academic supplies are also carried from location to location. Students learn to stay organized so that we can work as an efficient team.

Coaching
The unique model of World Class Academy allows our student athletes to form a distinct bond with their coaches, who are also their teachers and mentors. The Head Coach leads the athletic program, outlining the athletic arc for the year on and off the water, in each world-class destination. Students are supported by all coaching faculty in setting and pursuing their individualized kayaking goals within this athletic program.
Each week, students meet with the Head Coach to go over their goal logs and discuss their progression. The Head Coach guides students towards accomplishing their long term goals, helping them adjust the approach throughout the quarter and semester. Meetings are one on one and tailored to the needs of each student, helping them become the best kayakers they can be.
On the water, each coach supports students in the daily pursuit of their goals within the athletic plan. This comes in the form of technical feedback, guidance, questions, supporting daily athletic assignments, and role modeling.



















