This introductory course is based on well-established ACA (American Canoe Association) standards and is designed for people who have little or no whitewater or kayaking experience. You will learn about kayaks, essential gear, basic paddle strokes & techniques, and river safety.
It begins in the safe environment of an indoor pool during two, two-hour sessions where a kayak, paddle and spray skirt will be provided. You’ll be taught the basic elements & skills of whitewater kayaking before you get on moving water.
CW Course Syllabi
*Note: This course will introduce you to the precursors to rolling but it’s not the focus of this course. Colorado Whitewater offers other classes that focus specifically on rolling. Those classes would be appropriate for students who have completed the Beginner Course or have previous kayaking and whitewater experience.
Students who attend both pool lessons are invited to attend two additional free events specifically for beginner students from these classes:
- Moving Water Day: Your first day on moving water! Tentatively scheduled for Saturday May 4th at River Run Park in Englewood, CO. Weather and water level dependent.
- Beginner Plus Cruise: Come experience a natural class II river. One of the prettiest floats in Colorado and very beginner friendly. Tentatively scheduled for mid-late August near Deckers, CO.
For those future events, you will need to register separately online and have your own equipment including Helmet, PFD, Paddle, Skirt, Boat, warm layers.
You are also invited to attend free Thursday night meetups with the club starting in April and you'll receive a discount on Training Camp, our biggest event of the year! (ACA membership required for both). You will need to register separately for those events.
What to bring:
Swimsuit/shorts, non-cotton shirt, towel, dry clothes for after class. Cold natured people may want a neoprene shirt/jacket for warmth.
Medications you need to keep with you. Snacks.
Prerequisites: None
Cost: $225 course fee. Includes two 2-hour pool sessions, the flat-water/moving water weekend and rental equipment (boat, spray skirt, and paddle) for the pool sessions.
Early Bird pricing of $195 for Group A
Class Times & Dates: This is a series of two indoor pool classes.
- March 17th, 2024 4pm-6pm
- March 24th, 2024 4pm-6pm
Please aim to arrive 15 minutes early to change clothes and be ready to go on the pool deck at the start time.
Please direct any questions to our Instruction Coordinator
Waiver: Please sign the waiver before your class at https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/e/VL9HqYCiiNtziGrbzyowR5/
Refunds: We will not be offering refunds for our pool instruction classes. We may be able to accommodate transferring your registration to another class. Please contact the Instruction Coordinator with questions.
