Canoe Courses

Canoeing Fundamentals is an introduction to paddling a solo canoe, but can also serve as a refresher for canoeists with previous experience. This program provides the building blocks and progression of becoming a successful canoeist with an emphasis on personal preparation, equipment, strokes and maneuvers along with trip planning and decision making. This course is based on Fontana Lake in order to maximize time on the water giving ample focus on the in’s and out’s of successfully handling the boat with grace.

This course includes instruction, gear, lunch, and transportation. In this clinic, you will gain an understanding of and work on the following skills:

• Boat Design, Gear & Proper Fit
• Canoe Carry
• Concepts of Paddling
• Posture, Rocking & Balancing
• Managing a Capsized Canoe and Re-Entry
• Risk Management

Preparing for a multi-day river trip? Looking to become proficient at paddling a touring canoe? Then this is the course for you! Whether solo or tandem, beginner to those with previous experience, we will go over the essentials of paddling a touring canoe.

This course includes instruction, gear, lunch, and transportation. In this clinic, you will gain an understanding of and work on the following skills:

• Effective Paddle Stroke Technique for Paddling a Touring Canoe
• The Ability to Enter and Exit Swift Current Effectively
• River Features & Hydrology
• Rapid Scouting Techniques
• Identify River Features and Use to Navigate Rapid Sets
• Learn to Use Current Differentials
• Maneuvers: Carving, Ferry, Back Ferry, Peel Out, Eddy Turn, C-Turn, S-Turn
• Wind Strategy
• Boat Based Rescue Techniques & Risk Management

Learn how to paddle whitewater in a canoe or improve your techniques in this two-day class. Perfect for beginners or canoeists with some experience that have a desire to build a solid foundation of fundamental skills to achieve finesse in the art of solo whitewater canoeing.

This course includes instruction, gear, lunch, and transportation. In this clinic, you will gain an understanding of and work on the following skills:

• Boat Design & Terminology
• Paddle Strokes: Propulsion, Turning, Bracing
• River Maneuvers: Ferry, Peel Out, Eddy Turn, C-Turn
• River Features & Hydrology
• Rapid Scouting Techniques
• Hand Signals for On Water Communication
• Boat Based Rescue Techniques & Risk Management

Our Level 2 Whitewater Canoeing Clinic is the next step in our solo whitewater canoe progression. We take the fundamental skill set you have been building and begin applying it to accelerated and more dynamic whitewater, increasing the challenge for effective, efficient strokes and faster decision making.

Prior to signing up for a Level 2 Whitewater Canoe Clinic, participants should:

• Be able to identify river features
• Understand paddle strokes and uses: forward stroke, J stroke, sweep stroke, stern and bow draw
• Be able to perform basic maneuvers in Class I-II whitewater: ferry, peel out, eddy turn

Skills You Will Learn and Develop:

• Using river features to navigate more powerful rapids with finesse
• Learn to implement cross bow & compound strokes effectively
• Surfing waves
• Scouting and dissecting Class III rapids
• Risk management and confidence building for paddling more technical and challenging rivers

Canoe courses perfect for single-bladers of all skill levels!

Learn how to paddle whitewater in a canoe or improve your techniques in this 4-day solo course. Professionally trained instructors tailor the experience to fit the needs of the group, offering skill development and practice time on area lakes and rivers.

This course includes instruction, gear, lunch, and transportation. In this clinic, you will gain an understanding of and work on the following skills:

• Boat Design
• Required Gear & Proper Fit
• River Terminology
• Boat Safety
• On-side and Off-side Paddle Strokes
• Moving your Boat Sideways
• Balancing and Edging your Boat
• Safely Exiting a Capsized Boat
• Bracing