Renaissance Adventure Guides

Denver, United States

5

Closed now

9 reviews

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 303-988-2943
Website:
www.raguides.com
Address:
730 E Center Ave, Denver, CO, 80227
Southwest, Washington Park West
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.3 miS Downing St & E Exposition Ave
0.3 miS Downing St & E Virginia Ave
0.4 miE Alameda Ave & Emerson St
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Bussiness info

Good for Kids
Yes

Today

Today 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (Denver) 11:54 PM Thursday, June 19, 2025

Business hours

Monday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Tuesday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Thursday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Kayaking and snowsports are our two main instructional activities here in Colorado. Our other specialties are custom kayaking, trekking, rafting and multi-​sport adventures in Costa Rica. Make sure you check us out first when planning your next adventure — let us help you find yourself outdoors!

History

Established in 1999.

Renaissance Adventure Guides was originally started by brothers Max and Mike Young as a way for people to experience some of the best adventures they knew. In 2003 they added a kayaking school to the mix. Lyle Phetteplace became a partner and kayak program manager with the company in 2006, bringing along with him his kayaking passion and a wealth of experience as an instructor. in 2007 as we purchased the instructional arm of the Boulder Outdoor Center and added snowshoeing, avalanche courses and telemark skiing to our offerings. The company experienced a renaissance of its own in 2008 as Mike left the company and Lyle and Max became more focused than ever on improving the business. Later that year we became an accredited AIARE avalanche course provider. Currently we are in process of updating our international program and focusing on becoming the top kayaking instructional program in Colorado.

Meet the Business Owner

Lyle Phetteplace H.

Business Owner

Lyle grew up in the mountains of Colorado. Although he had a home, you would not find him there. His passions always took him to the surrounding mountains. Lyle grew up hiking, biking, camping, skiing, tubing and anything else that included the great outdoors. Lyle has been kayaking since 1995 and started instructing in 1996. He has been a certified instructor since 1999 and has made teaching the sport to others his passion. In his free time, Lyle enjoys all outdoor activities with his wife and four children. Lyle also has the «unofficial» world speed record for snow kayaking.

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9 reviews of Renaissance Adventure Guides

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Boulder, CO
I have taken two kayaking lessons from Renaissance. The guides are kind and patient. They also will push you a little bit beyond your comfort zone, which I think is especially important when it comes to water sports. Yet they are also highly professional and very concerned with clients’ safety. All the guides seem to be having a great time. They are humorous and full of life.
Place rating: 5
Colorado Springs, CO
We just too the day long kayak lesson on the pond at Chatfield Resevoir. It was a blast! Our guides, Marcus and Daniel, were great. They learned everyone’s names and were really patient.
Be warned, the first thing we did in the day was get in the water and you’ll spend a lot of the day rolling over in the kayak and learning how to save yourself and other people. But don’t let this scare you away. I hate getting my head wet and am awful at holding breath under water but I still had fun and felt more confident in the kayak by the end of the lesson.
Place rating: 5
Englewood, CO
I took the intro to kayaking lesson last weekend using a Groupon deal. I had kayaked once before and was eager to learn the proper way to do everything.
Our instructor, Eben, did an excellent job at covering all the basics from safety gear, adjusting our kayaks, wet exit, before we started paddling. Once we actually started moving, Eben did a great job at showing us the different paddle strokes and giving us tips on how to improve and not spin as much, etc. He even took the time to spend some one-​on-​one time for those of us who wanted/​needed more practice on certain concepts.
I learned so much from just this one class and walked away feeling more comfortable to go out and kayak on my own.
Highly recommended, especially if it’s your first time kayaking.
Place rating: 5
Denver, CO
Great first experience on a river kayak. The guides were helpful and patient. Will definitely go back for another lesson.
Place rating: 5
Pleasant Prairie, WI
This was my second class with Renaissance. Once again, your staff was as professional as they were thorough, and interested in our success. This time Eric, Kayleen and Megan were awesome, and made the class a lot of fun for me! I couldn’t speak any higher of those three!
Place rating: 5
Denver, CO
Just did an all day intro course with Renaissance on a Groupon deal. I have some experience on flatwater kayaking, but want to start learning whitewater. With the excellent deal, this seemed like as good a time as any.
First (and far most importantly), there was never a moment when i didn’t feel safe. Considering the lesson started with me in a flipped over kayak, fighting just about every self-​preservation instinct in my mind, I think that says a lot. When you’re talking about an activity that has potential to be dangerous, everything else is secondary to safety. And Renaissance does excellent in that regard.
So we’re safe. That’s good. But what about the rest of it? The two instructors (for the 5 person class) were both relatively new teachers, but both had lots of experience kayaking. My class was with John and (please forgive me if I misspell this) Cailene. Both were enthusiastic and knowledgeable. At one point Cailene noticed I was struggling with something and spent time one on one with me practicing the technique (something I saw her do with other students as the day went on). Bottom line, the class was fun, informative and safe. You can’t ask for anything more. I am most definitely looking forward to my next lesson.
Place rating: 5
Cambridge, MA
I spent a few days kayaking with these guys. They were all awesome, super fun and encouraging and tons of energy. Always keeping it safe but taking fun to the maximum. I learned some great techniques and they were always right there when I botched anything up, like getting flipped in a hole. The water and scenery was amazing and I really hope I’ll get a chance to go out with Renaissance Adventure Guides again this summer. Thanks guys! Buenas lineas!
Place rating: 5
Denver, CO
Best kayak and swiftwater training in Denver, Colorado. I had the pleasure of taking a swiftwater kayaking class through Renaissance Adventure Guides, I learned more than I expected, had more fun than I expected, and came away feeling great supported and knowledgeable. I had such a great time and was so impressed with the instructor that I asked for a job and have been teaching for them since my class.
Place rating: 5
Denver, CO
Find extreme adventure in Colorado through kayaking. It’s an adrenaline rush! I signed up to take a beginning kayaking class a few months ago with Renaissance Adventure Guides. I love the water, the rush of flipping my little boat over with my own strength, and the control I have with only a paddle. The fearlessness I now possess is exhilarating. I started kayaking indoors, at a pool, during the winter months. Now I’m ready for Colorado’s open waters!
Take a pool coarse with Max, Lyle or any of their energetic staff from Renaissance Adventure at one of these locations:
* Englewood Recreation Center — February through May, every Thursday, from 7 – 9 PM.
* Carmody Recreation Center in Lakewood — January through May, Wednesday’s, from 6 to 8 PM.
* Golden Community Center –Year round, Tuesday’s, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.
* Centennial Recreation Center in Longmont –February through May, every Saturday, from 4 to 6 PM.
You’ll need to take at least three beginner sessions. Here’s what you’ll learn, and trust me you’ll love every minute of it!
1. How to sit in and be fitted for your boat, wear the kayak skirt, the wet exit (getting out of your boat safely when you flip,) basic paddling, and the hip snap (how to keep your boat from flipping when waters get moving.)
2. Skilled paddling, beginner rolling (When you flip the boat you want to be able to flip yourself upright again. Trust me it’s not as difficult as it sounds.) body positioning, and t– rescue (which is helping another kayaker roll their boat up when they get flipped.)
3. Master rolling, rolling with and without your paddle, and best gear to wear.
You will need to practice what you have learned, as with any new skill. Come to the pool and practice at any of the above times. Call ahead to let them know you’re coming and they’ll have a kayak waiting for you, and experienced kayakers standing by for safety. All you need to bring is a swim suit and towel.
After you learn these basics in the pool, with an instructor right along side you, you will be able to brave the great outdoors. You can take one day, two day, and four day trips on the open water. Shorter trips are given on the South Platte River right here in town, and longer excursions are given in Glenwood Springs on the Colorado River. Call Lyle or Max at Adventure Guides to sign you up for the experience of a life time. Here’s the main number 303−988−2943, or go to
to check out the web site. You’ll find their prices are the best in Colorado.