Water Classification

The skill levels suggested are a guide to help you decide the grade of river to paddle. For additional information, click here.

Moving Water Classification

Current Class	Description	Skills Suggested
I	Passages clear except for minor obstructions. Small, regular rapids. Easily navigated passages.	See Beginner to Comfortable Beginner Skills section of the NWV Trip Rating Tool Conditions and Method
II	Most passages clear, though may be narrow. Fairly frequent rapids. Regular, medium-sized waves, low ledges, sweepers and logjams may be present.	See Comfortable Beginner to Comfortable Intermediate Skills section of the NWV Trip Rating Tool Conditions and Method
III	Rapids numerous. Waves high, powerful, irregular, exposed rocks and strong eddies. Must be scouted prior to running.	See Advanced in the Paddler Skill Levels
IV	Long stretches of difficult rapids. Waves high, powerful and irregular; dangerous exposed rocks, boiling eddies; ledges, passages difficult to scout.	Powerful and precise maneuvering required. Preferably run with a previously experienced leader. (Experts only) The NWV does not offer trips in Class IV.
V	Very difficult. Considerable risk.	(Teams of experts only)
VI	Extraordinarily difficult. Portage mandatory.

Flat Moving Water Classification

Water Class	Description	Skills Suggested
0	Non-challenging protected waters with limited wind effect, little or no current, easy landings, and ready access to land-based assistance. Wind and sea state is calm to rippled (<16km/h or 8 knots).	See Beginner Skills section of the NWV Trip Rating Tool Conditions and Method
1	Non-challenging waters with mild wind effect (0-22 km/h or 0–11 knots), little or no current (0-1 km/h or 0-0.5 knots), uninterrupted easy landing options, and ready access to land-based assistance. Sea state is calm to smooth (0.1 to 0.5m wavelets).	See Beginner to Comfortable Beginner Skills in the NWV Trip Rating Tool Conditions and Method
2	Moderately exposed coastline with frequent easy-landing opportunities and short crossings. Moderate potential wind effects (24-40 km/h or 12–19 knots), surf of less than 1 meter and a combined sea state of slight (0.5 to 1.25m), gentle to moderate non-turbulent currents (< 6 km/h or < 3 knots), and light surf beaches. Short delays in access to land-based assistance should be expected.	See Intermediate to Comfortable Intermediate Skills in the NWV Trip Rating Tool Conditions and Method
3	Exposed water, with more committed crossings and any combination of the following: moderate to strong currents with turbulence (≥ 6 km/h or ≥ 3 knots), moderate to strong wind effects (24-40 km/h or 12–19 knots), ocean swells and a combined sea state near 1 meter with occasional moderate sea state (1.25 to 2.5m). Difficult but frequent landing opportunities, surf- beaches with surf up to 1 metre. Delays in access to land-based assistance can expected.	See Comfortable Intermediate Skills in the NWV Trip Rating Tool Conditions and Method
4	Rugged and exposed coast with long and committed crossings and any combination of the following: strong turbulent currents (≥ 6 km/h or ≥ 3 knots), strong wind effects (near 40 km/h or 20 knots), large swells with a combined sea state 1 metre or more with a slight (0.5 to 1.25m) to moderate (1.25 to 2.5m) sea state, exposed surf beaches (≥ 1 metre), infrequent and sometimes difficult landings which present significant challenges for individual safety and group management. Significant delays in access to land-based assistance can be expected.	Requires Advanced skills. The NWV does not offer trips in Class 4

Notes

- Moving Water based on the International River Classification System. These guidelines offer a general classification for rivers but the system is not exact.

-Flat Water based on Paddle Canada Sea Kayak program

- Many Alberta rivers are very cold, hypothermia is a very real and constant danger. Overestimating skill levels and underestimating grade can lead to potentially risky situations.

- A beginner is not a paddler who has stepped into a boat for the first time, but one with knowledge of the basic paddling strokes. Skills shown are those preferred for a certain grade of river. If you would like to try a higher graded trip, discuss it with the leader beforehand.

- In tandem paddling, the team must be able to maneuver the boat as required, but both paddlers do not necessarily have to be equally skilled. However, both paddlers should posses the minimum skill level, as a boat is only as capable as its least experienced crew member. No amount of skill can be transferred in an emergency.

- River grades are given for normal flow conditions. Very high or very low water levels may markedly affect the difficulty, in either direction, so marginal skills may be inadequate under certain conditions.

- For wilderness canoe/camping or extended trips, all paddlers should be thoroughly competent in the skills required for that grade of river. The group should also have related camping, first aid and survival skills.