Canoe Courses
Learn how to paddle whitewater in a canoe or improve your techniques in these 2 or 4-day courses.
Overview
This course is for single-bladers of all skill levels!
NOC’s Paddling School has been teaching canoe instruction since the beginning. For paddlers new to the sport or looking to brush up on the basics, we offer single and multi-day courses on area lakes and rivers. For experienced paddlers, we offer a Level 2 Canoe Course as well as private instruction to improve upon current skill sets and techniques, learn to maneuver in more powerful rapids, risk management, and more! See which course is right for you!
2-Day Tandem & Solo Class I-II River Touring
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
2-Day Level 1 Whitewater Canoe
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
2-Day Level 2 Whitewater Canoe
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
4-Day Whitewater Canoe
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 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
Dates
2-Day Level 1 Whitewater Canoe Dates
| Dates | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 25-26, 2023 | Bryson City, NC | |
| Oct 14-15, 2023 | Bryson City, NC |
2-Day Level 2 Whitewater Canoe Dates
| Dates | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 28-29, 2023 | Bryson City, NC |
Location
Instructors at This Location
Before You Visit
- All necessary specialty whitewater equipment
- Lunch & In-Course Transportation
- Access to NOC’s extensive fleet of instruction boats for in-clinic use
- NOC’s highly trained, ACA certified instruction
NOC Provides the primary gear needed for each course including boats, paddles, PFD’s, helmets, spray skirts, semi-dry tops, wetsuit bottoms, and booties. Exclusive discounts are available for course participants at the Outfitter’s Store.
Necessary Items (for All Courses)
- Shorts/swimwear
- Water shoes or old sneakers
- Synthetic T-shirts
- Sunscreen/lip balm
- Towel and change of clothes each day
- Reusable water bottle
- Clothing and personal items
- Rain gear
- Synthetic long underwear
- Light fleece hoodie/pullover
Optional Items
- Nose clips
- Sunglasses
- Eyeglass strap
- Hat or visor
- Earplugs (if sensitive to water)
Participants must be at least 16 years old. All minors (17 and under) require the presence of participating adult for this program.
Lunch is included in the course fee. Additional meals, snacks, and beverages can be purchased at NOC’s two onsite restaurants or the General Store.
Discounts available at NOC lodging and restaurants.
