Kayak Lessons


New

Introduction to Recreational Kayaking course Sunday June 13th. See ad here.

Pool Basics

The Northwest Voyageurs Canoe & Kayak Club is offering two sessions of a basic introductory pool courses this winter for members interested in starting to learn how to kayak (either whitewater or sea/recreational). This course is aimed at providing a solid introduction for either form of kayaking.

Although no prior paddling experience is required, it is necessary that all participants know how to swim.

Each course is composed of five sessions with each session consisting of a half hour of instruction on dry land followed by 1.5 hours in the pool. The pool time is dedicated to learning and practicing strokes

The dry land portion covers other aspects of the sport including:

Equipment

Kayaks, paddles, and spray skirts are provided for free during the course, although you may bring your own boat and equipment if you wish.

You are only required to bring a swimsuit; however, nose plugs are recommended. Some people also find swim goggles useful at first but these are optional as well.

Times

In the past, the course has been held over five Sunday evenings in Jan/Feb/Mar timeframe.

Location

Confederation Pool (11204 43 Avenue NW, Edmonton)

Registration

The 2010 spring introductory courses are now finished; further courses may be offered in 2010 in an outdoor setting. The club anticipates indoor kayak courses will be offered again in early 2011 at Confederation Pool.

Contact seakayak@nwvoyageurs.com to express your interest in sea/recreational training.
or
wwkayak@nwvoyageurs.com to discuss whitewater paddling.


There are limited places available for this course so please register early.

Further Whitewater Kayak Lessons

Roll Clinic


Dates: Sunday 6:45 PM, Apr 18 and 25, 2010
Where: Confederation Pool (11204 43 Avenue NW, Edmonton)
Details: Learn how to roll a kayak in a safe warm clean water environment. Whether paddling sea or whitewater kayaks, a solid roll is an esentail technique which enhances the safety and enjoyment of the sport. These two sessions will cover the basic skills and drills to develop a roll. Goggles and noseplugs are highly recomended as participants will be underwater frequently.

Costs: $40 and club membership

Moving Water Introduction on the North Saskatchewan


Dates: TBD
Where: In Edmonton
Details: This 1/2 day session covers two esential skills for river paddling - the eddy turn and the ferry. .
Cost: TBA
Email
wwkayak@nwvoyageurs.com   to express your interest.

Moving Water I - The Pembina Weekend


Dates: TBD
Where: Pembina River Provincial Campground at Entwistle
Details: This awesome weekend is designed as the perfect follow-up to the whitewater pool basics. Saturday is a learning session on easy grade I river. Students learn to adjust to current and learn eddy turns and ferries. On Sunday there is an optional downriver paddle ending at the campground. Camp out and enjoy outdoor living and a campfire.

Cost: TBA
Email wwkayak@nwvoyageurs.com   to express your interest.

Rundle Park Paddling Centre

In the summer, we have weekly access to the Rundle Park Paddling Centre. For those unfamiliar with RPPC, it’s an outdoor facility with a boat house full of canoes and kayaks, and a big clean paddling pond. It is available FREE OF CHARGE to members of participating clubs, such as us. We get to use the place every Wednesday night from 7:00 to 9:00. Experienced club members are usually on hand every week, to provide instruction to those who need it. Non-members can also show up for one free visit, but must join the club if they wish to continue coming. If you’re interested, just show up and grab one of the supplied boats, or bring your own. To get there, simply head for the buildings in Rundle Park, then look for the sign.


Updated Dec 2010

All clinics and courses are run by our volunteer instructors for the benefit of club members, to give you the skills to enjoy our great program of day and weekend trips. We strongly encourage you to take the appropriate course to upgrade or fine tune your skills but you still need the experience on the river at your skill level for building confidence. If you are not sure of your skill level, discuss it with the course coordinator before signing up.