TOPICS INCLUDE: Canoe handling, Packing to stay dry, Wet weather fires, Trip planning, Group organization, and gear. We will provide canoes & equipment for the outdoor sessions.

WHAT WE DO: The course provides the basics in planning and canoe handling from the novice to the experienced paddler enthusiast.  It covers, in detail, how to plan a safe event for your unit on the water – including such adventures as the Northern Tier, Boundary Waters, Lower Grand Canyon as well as local waters such as the American, the Russian or the Sacramento Rivers.

NEVER PADDLED BEFORE?  Fear not, we can get you down the river with confidence based on the skills developed at our outdoor session.  We begin with flatwater basic canoe control.  In the afternoon, we move to coordinated maneuvers between bow and stern paddlers.  Safety and rescue are included in the event of a spill.  We will highlight river reading – the sense of how the river will move downstream giving you clues on where you should – or should not – be with the canoe.   An evening session closes the day with immersion hypothermia, shuttle logistics, and paddling demonstration videos. 

RIVER FUN: On Sunday we relocate from flat water to moving water along the American River.  We begin by experimenting with eddy turns and ferries.  Once we have these under our belt, we move downriver and play along the river catching each feature we can.  Importantly, we practice how to rescue a paddler who has fallen out of their boat.