Thacher's kayaking program, offered fall and spring, gives students the chance to learn and expand upon the basics of kayaking. Students practice fundamental boat skills in kayaks each afternoon and travel to the ocean each Wednesday to put their skills to work.

During the fall kayaking season, students acquire basic boat skills and learn how to ocean surf.  Once they have mastered fundamental boat skills, paddlers focus on learning playboating maneuvers: paddlers can extend their skills as far as possible during the season.  Playboating fundamentals begin with flatwater moves (squirts, cartwheels, blunts, and stalls), then become more dynamic on the river and ocean.  Each Wednesday, the paddlers head for the ocean where they explore the surf breaks of the Gold Coast from Ventura Point to Pitas Point. 

The spring season brings with it opportunities for trips to the Kaweah and Kern Rivers.  The Kern, which provides Class II to Class IV rapid opportunities, is ideal for many levels of kayakers.  While students may begin paddling in the spring, the focus of the season shifts slightly to encompass safety and navigation of rivers.  Experienced paddlers take on a safety boating role, serving as assistants on the river and contributing to the safety of the entire group.  The spring season can culminate in a kayaking Extra Day Trip; recently, the team completed wilderness kayaking trips on the Rogue River in Oregon and the Salt River in Arizona.  Throughout each season, individual coaching is available, accommodating all levels of ability.