Introductory and Intermediate
Whitewater Canoe

Prerequisite:

Flatwater/Moving Water Class or equivalent experience and permission from instructor.

What You Learn

The Introductory Class is designed for people who have good basic boat control and experience running moving water and are interested in learning whitewater paddling. Day 1 will be on an easy stretch of river and will focus on improving the effectiveness of your strokes and practicing more advanced eddy turns, peel outs and ferries in swifter current. We'll introduce bracing and other recovery techniques. The location for day 2 depends on your skills and sense of adventure, but may be a class 2 stretch of the North Santiam or Clackamas where you can practice your skills and ability to read water features and maneuver in various class 1-2 rapids. Please contact the clinic organizer to determine if you have the required skills to take this course.

The Intermediate Class is for those who have successfully completed the Introductory Whitewater Class or who have years of previous whitewater canoe experience. The goal is to provide the skills needed to make you comfortable paddling class 3 whitewater. This course will focus on more advanced techniques such as high and low braces, using holes and small eddies to maneuver around obstacles, as well as surfing or playing in more complex rapids. This will also prepare you to take on stronger or higher volume rivers. Advanced turning techniques will allow for quicker turns to work through very tight rocky rapids. Please contact the clinic organizer to determine if you have the required skills to take this course.

Classes will be divided into solo and tandem groups. The river will be selected based on the water levels and the experience base of the students. The difficulty level is likely to be class 2-3 for day 2 of the class.

Cost

  • Two days of instruction per class for just $50 per person. LCCC membership ($20 per family) and ACA membership (minimally $5 Event Membership per class) are also required.
  • Registration, all completed forms, signed waivers, and a check must be received at least 7 days in advance of each class to ensure enrollment. There is a $10 late registration fee for registration after that time if space is still available.
Note: You also have an option to join the ACA for a reduced price when you pay course fees.

Equipment

  • Students are expected to have all the essentials. This includes canoe, personal floatation device (PFD), paddle, and appropriate clothing. See the Student Information Sheet for more details, including places to rent canoes.
  • The LCCC will subsidize canoe rentals for students during the class and on subsequent club trips. Solo students or tandem teams can qualify for a $20 subsidy per class day for up to 5 days. The club has a limited amount of funds for these subsidies and it's first-come, first-served.
  • The LCCC also has some canoes available for loan during classes through generous members. Please inquire during sign up.

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