River Kayaking
 

Paddle Canada River Kayak Courses

• PC Basic River Kayak Skills Course
  

  Paddle Canada
  Basic River Kayak Skills
  2-Day Course

  Price: $240 per person
  plus tax

  Basic River Kayaking Skills
  Course Details

  This course is designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of kayaking first on flat water and then applying these skills to in moving water It is suitable for people with little or no previous kayaking experience, who are confident in water and willing to get wet. The course has theory components that will cover understanding and reading the river in addition to kayak maneuvering skills. All skills are initially taught on flatwater (non-moving), including rescue techniques. Many of these skills are the building blocks for rolling your kayak, which takes considerable practice to master. We will spend a little time introducing this skill prior to moving onto class 1 moving water on Day 2 of the moving water course but recommend that you take one of our rolling courses or clinics to further develop this skill.
  
  Day 1 Flat Water Skills
  This day covers all the components of the Paddle Canada Flat water Skills for river kayaking and can be taken as a stand- alone course (8 hrs) We will take time to complete all paperwork, understand boat design and kayak outfitting, preparing for cold water and appropriate protection clothing and communication signals. Our on - water session will begin with wet exits and Bow – rescues, along with other rescue skills, to provide you with confidence in the water and kayak. This sets you up to develop confidence and enhance your learning of skills and on moving water (day 2). You will learn about balance and posture for paddling, the basic strokes required including: Sweep, forward, backward paddling, edging, low and high braces, draws, rudder strokes – stern draw and stern pry and forward ferry. We will also learn the rudiments of rolling, river trip planning and river hydrology and hazards to avoid.
  
  Day 2 Moving water skills
  This day when taken in addition to Day 1 (Flat Water Skills) covers the Paddle Canada Beginner River Kayak Skills Today, we will begin by setting up transportation at out take out location, review river safety, and spend some time transferring the flat water skills learnt on day one for river running, before beginning our journey down an easy flowing section of the river, where we will continue to practice and use all these skills. These include: Ferrying, eddying in and out and an introduction to surfing small waves and leaning to swim and perform rescues in slow moving water.
  
  This course is scheduled for:

  December 5-6, 2020
  January 9-10, 2021
  February 6-7, 2021
  March 6-7, 2021
  March 20-21, 2021
  April 3-4, 2021 (private group-VCKC)
  April 17-18, 2021
  May 8-9, 2021
  June 5-6, 2021

  Not seeing the dates you want, please call to schedule custom dates.

  Equipment All personal equipment must be in good order and kayaks must have 2 stern flotation bags. (All equipment required for this course can be supplied by us.)
  
  You will need: River kayak with flotation bags
  Spray skirt
  Helmet (approved for river kayaking)
  Paddle
  Wetsuit or drysuit (A drysuit may be rented for an additional $25 per day charge and is highly recommended during the Fall and Winter programs).
  Booties
  Throw Bag
  You will also need to bring: snacks, lunch and water.
  
  Waivers will need to be signed prior to starting course and pertinent Medical information will need to be disclosed to course leaders.

• PC Intermediate River Kayak Skills Course
  

  Intermediate River Kayak Skills
  2 Day Course

  Price: $250 per person
  plus tax

  Intermediate River Skills
  Course Details

  This intermediate river kayaker course introduces those with some previous beginner river kayaking skills to paddling in class 2 river sections. This means slightly faster moving water and straight forward rapids with wide, clear channels that are obvious without scouting, occasional manoeuvring may be required but rocks and medium-sized waves are missed easily by trained paddlers, swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed.
  
  To enhance learning and safety we use 2 instructors, or an instructor and trained instructor on our intermediate courses and runs. Skills such as ferrying, eddying in and out using different techniques, s turns, jet ferries and wave surfing will be covered, together with understanding hydraulics and trip planning.
  
  The full course is 2 days (16 hours). Moving water kayakers who have prior experience or have taken this course before are welcome to join 1 or both days of this course provided there is space.
  
  Day 1: Once all paperwork, outfitting and safety briefings have been completed we will review wet exits, T rescues and rolls. Those without a roll will need to demonstrate a T – rescue or wet exit. Skills review and practice on class 1 will occur before we continue onto the class 2 section of the river. We will cover ferrying, eddying in and out using power sweeps and forward strokes, s turns, and
  
  Day 2: This day will introduce more skills, such as stern and bow draws and using them to eddy in and out, jet ferries, and surfing standing waves. Choosing lines on the river and paddler etiquette with time to practice these skills in class 2 moving water.
  Scheduled:

  Dec 12 - 13, 2020
  Jan 23 – 24, 2020
  Feb 27 – 28, 2020
  Mar 20 – 21, 2020

  Equipment All personal equipment must be in good order and kayaks must have 2 stern flotation bags. (All equipment required for this course can be supplied by us.)
  
  You will need: River kayak with flotation bags
  Spray skirt
  Helmet (approved for river kayaking)
  Paddle
  Wetsuit or drysuit (A drysuit may be rented for an additional $25 per day charge and is highly recommended during the Fall and Winter programs).
  Booties
  Throw Bag
  You will also need to bring: snacks, lunch and water.
  
  Waivers will need to be signed prior to starting course and pertinent Medical information will need to be disclosed to course leaders.