Please Note: Minors must be 12 years old or older to enroll in a class. A parent or guardian must register as a student to accompany minors in all classes.  (For further information about minors,  you may contact training director at training@philacanoe.org).

PRE-SEASON PADDLING CLINIC (indoors only)

April 23, 2025  (Wednesday, 6-8 pm)

I LOVE TO BE OUT ON THE WATER -- BUT HOW CAN I GET STARTED?

Instructors: Laura Lipkin and Linda Galyon

Do you love to be out on the water and want to try a paddle-sport but do not where to start? This class offers an overview of information on canoes, kayaks, and stand up paddle boards on flat, moving, and whitewater.

This class does not replace the need for on-water skills instruction but will help decide what paddle-sport(s) you want to focus on and prepare you to get to the water. Our instructors will also help you identify the PCC Training Classes you might want to enroll in to build your paddling skills this summer.

Bring all your paddle-sport questions. This will be an informal and fun evening.                REGISTER HERE

CANOE CLASSES

(Most canoe classes are offered solo or tandem.)

PCC offers a variety of canoes classes from flat and moving water to challenging whitewater. We also offer two hour evening  clinics for paddlers to improve their skills. For further information contact Looie Voorhees at Looielooie1@yahoo.com

Do you know there is a difference between flat water canoes and whitewater canoes? Flat water canoes have seats and the paddler has an option to sit or kneel. You must kneel in a whitewater canoe and sit on a foam saddle for maximum control. That may be hard to imagine but with the correct fit it's actually comfortable. Ask one of our instructors and we will be happy to show you our canoes.

Note: Students must be comfortable in and on the water. As a safety training requirement, you will be supervised by your instructor to capsize your boat and swim in the water wearing a life jacket.

Minors must be 12 years old or older to enroll in a class. A parent or guardian must register as a student to accompany minors in all classes.  (For further information about minors,  you may contact training director at training@philacanoe.org).

CANOE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Note: Please bring a kneeling mat or wear knee pads for all flatwater canoe classes.

CANOE-BASIC INSTRUCTION (Evening Session 5:30-7:30p.m.)

Basic canoe instruction for the beginner on flatwater to prepare you for future classes. This class will focus on entering and exiting the canoe, basic strokes to control the boat, necessary gear. You may paddle solo or tandem. For tandem, both students need to be registered.  

Canoe-Basic Instruction May 14, 2025  (5:30 pm - 7:30 pm) - Wednesday Evening    Registrer Here

INTRODUCTION TO CANOEING -

2 Hour Evening Session (5 p.m. - 8 p.m.)

Location: Schuylkill River

This course will introduce the new student to the sport of canoeing. You will learn how to position yourself in a canoe, balance, strokes and boat control.  The course will cover water reading, safety, how to paddle the canoe in straight line, avoid obstacles and what to do in the event of a capsize.  Be prepared to be wet, bring a change of clothes.

INTRODUCTION TO FLATWATER CANOES and PADDLING TECHNIQUES (New)

The canoe is an ancient, graceful craft that is a pure pleasure to paddle.

Learn to enjoy the serenity of canoeing.

May 17 & 18, 2025 (cancelled, will be rescheduled later in season)

Location: Wissahickon Creek at PCC

Time: Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Sunday 9 am to 3 pm.

No Experience necessary but you must be able to kneel  in a canoe (we will take lots of stretch breaks). Bring a comfortable, non-slip, kneeling mat or wear knee pads. This class is designed to allow students to learn in a relaxed atmosphere. Bring a lunch, snacks, drinking water in plastic, and a change of clothes.

This course will cover a brief history of canoes from early dugouts to today's modern designs. We will discuss how design and styles contribute to performance. We will also discuss how paddle design and construction adds to smooth, effortless strokes.

You will learn how to control the behavior of the canoe.  Learn how "heeling" the canoe can add to enhanced performance.  Some Freestyle Canoeing techniques will be introduced.

Introduction to Flatwater Canoes & Paddling Technique - May 17 & 18, 2025   Register Here

INTRODUCTION TO FLAT & MOVING WATER CANOEING – (Two-Day Class)

June 14 & 15, 2025

Location: Schuylkill River/NJ Pine Barrens (gentle moving water).

No experience necessary. 

This course is designed for the beginner. We will meet at Philadelphia Canoe Club Saturday morning. Saturday's class will be held on the Schuylkill River by the clubhouse. Students will learn about paddle and canoe styles, basic strokes, maneuvers such as eddy turns and ferries, self and assisted rescue and safety. Bring your lunch, water to drink, snacks and a change of clothes. Sunday's class will be held on the Wading River in the NJ Pine Barrens. You will be introduced to river features and water reading in this unique environment of pristine beauty and clean water flowing from an underground aquifer. You will learn how to maneuver your boat using strokes, ferries and eddies. Instruction is offered solo or tandem. (Note: Tandem students must attend class with their partner who must also be a student). 

Introduction to Flat & Moving Water Canoeing June 14 & 15, 2025  Register Here

RIVER CANOEING - Beginner Moving Water - Two-Day Class (Level 2)

Location: To Be Announced (class 0-1+).

No experience necessary.

This course will cover equipment, safety, rescue, and boat control on moving water. You will learn maneuvers such as ferries and eddy turns on moving water. Please dress appropriately. No cotton clothing. Secure footwear required, no sandals, flip flops or crocs. Make sure your shoes will stay on in turbulent water. Registrants will receive more information closer to the date of class from the instructors.

River Canoeing Beginner - Level 2

RIVER CANOEING - Beginner Whitewater - Two-Day Class (Level 3) 

July 5 & 6, 2025

Location: Schuylkill River - Lehigh River (class 1-2 whitewater).

This course is will be taught on the Schuylkill River Saturday and Lower Lehigh River on Sunday. Students will be using whitewater canoes. The class is designed to build and improve skills on class 1-2 whitewater. Students will practice eddy turns, peel outs, and ferries. Rescue will include capsizing, re-entry, boat and paddler rescue. You will practice water reading, scouting, avoiding hazards and river running.

Please dress appropriately. No cotton clothing. Secure footwear required, no sandals, flip flops or crocs. Make sure your shoes will stay on in turbulent water. Registrants will receive more information closer to the date of class from the instructors.

River Canoeing - Beginner Whitewater (Level 3)   Register Here

 WHITEWATER CANOE NOVICE TRAINING 

May 30, 31, June 1, 7 & 8, 2025

No experience necessary:

This course is held over a period of two weekends. You may choose solo or tandem canoe. You will be introduced to proper fit and use of equipment, strokes, maneuvers, assisted and self rescue, river features, water reading, and safety while building skills to paddle class two whitewater.

The first weekend will begin on still water and move into beginning rapids. The second weekend will be held on the Lehigh River in the Poconos. Tent camping only is included for Friday and Saturday nights at Whitewater Challengers Friday and Saturday nights (June 6 & 7). Dinner will be provided Saturday evening, June 7 in the pavilion.  Please: No RV's.

Evening Session, May 30, is a mandatory orientation which includes meeting your instructors, logistics for the class and equipment fitting. If you plan to use your own boat for the class please bring it Friday Evening.

Whitewater Canoe Novice Training - May 30 (Evening Session)  May 31, June 1, 7, 8, 2025   Register Here

CANOE  EVENING SKILL-BUILDING CLINICS (5:30 - 7:30 p.m.)

These clinics will focus on improving strokes and maneuvers. You may use either a whitewater or flat water. Tandem students need to bring a partner who is also registered for the class. You may bring your own canoe. Some canoeing experience necessary. Take one, take all. Improve your skills, have fun!

Clinic # 1: - June 25, 2025 (2-Hours)

Forward, Backward & Cross Forward Strokes Register Here

This clinic will focus on improving your forward, backward and cross forward stroke. There are three kinds of "J" strokes: "Traditional J" is preferred for cruising, "River J" for whitewater control, and "Reverse J" for paddling in reverse and to control backward momentum from the bow. 

You may use either a whitewater or flat water canoe. Tandem students must provide their own partner who is a registered student in the course.

Clinic # 2: July 2, 2025 (2-Hours)

Prys and Draws, Side Slips, Heeling & Braces  Register Here

Prys and draws are essential for good boat control and necessary for paddling straight, turning and side slipping. You will learn where to place you paddle and when to use these strokes for maximum control. We will also learn heeling, and  high and low braces (a handy skill to learn to keep from capsizing). 

You may use either a whitewater or flat water canoe. Tandem students must provide their own partner who is a registered student in the course.

Clinic # 3: July 9, 2025 (2-Hours)

Front & Back Ferries, Intro to Eddy Turns   Register Here  

(Includes paddling backward using a reverse "J" stroke).

Ferrying is used to easily and quickly move from one side of the river to the other while avoiding obstacles (rocks, trees, other boaters or from being swept downstream). You can ferry facing downstream (back ferry) or facing upstream (front ferry). Back ferries are especially important in canoes because of their size. It's not necessary to turn the boat against the upstream current risking a capsize, just angle the boat a bit and paddle backward to avoid a problem.  Knowing a good back stroke is essential for back ferries. We will practice paddling backward using a reverse "J".

Eddies are calm areas formed by an obstruction in the moving water such as a rock or some other solid object. They are helpful places to rest, scout or decide how to maneuver around an problem spot downstream. We will examine "eddie lines" and how to successfully turn into one. We will also learn to "peel out" which is how an eddy is exited.

You may use either a whitewater or flat water canoe. Tandem students must provide their own partner who is a registered student in the course.

Clinic # 4: July 16, 2025 (2-Hours)

Eddy Turns, Peel Outs, Water Reading, Scouting, Portaging  Register Here 

Note: Class will begin at 5 p.m. Please arrive early for boat loading.

Prerequisite: Prior experience in whitewater canoes required. 

Class will be conducted in whitewater canoes (Solo or Tandem) on the Schuylkill River at Flatrock rapids (class 1-2 whitewater). 

The goal of this class is to learn to good river judgement and to navigate whitewater safely and efficiently.  You will practice improving your ferries, peel outs, water reading, scouting and portaging. Most rivers have flat sections and whitewater sections. You will learn when to stop, scout and safely navigate or portage a section you do not wish to run.

You may use either a whitewater or flat water canoe. Tandem students must provide their own partner who is a registered student in the course. 

Please let us know if you can transport a canoe. It is 3 miles to Flat Rock, we will paddle back to the club at the end of the class.

Clinic # 5:  July 23, 2025 (2-Hours)

Basic Rescue Techniques    Register Here 

(Capsizing, Boat Rescue & Re-Entry, Throw Bags)

Class will be held on the Schuylkill River at the club.  The clinic will cover basic rescue techniques that every canoeist should know for personal and group safety. You will learn how to rescue a capsized canoe and assist paddlers with their re-entry into the boat using the heel hook and other methods. You may choose a flatwater or whitewater canoe.

You will also learn to use throw bags.(Bring your throw bag if you have one). 

Be prepared to get wet, you will be in the water. Protect your feet, especially your toes, wear secure footwear. Closed water shoes or sneakers a must, no sandals, flip flops or crocs.

Clinic # 6: May 21, 2025  (2-Hours)   

Try a Whitewater Canoe   Register Here

(No prior experience necessary). 

(Conducted next to PCC on the Wissahickon Creek).

Note: Kneeling required to fit into the canoe.

Interested in whitewater canoes? Never sat in one? This class provides an opportunity to learn about whitewater canoes  and experience how they feel on the water. We will fit you into one and show you basic strokes. The class will cover parts of the boat and the type of equipment used in whitewater. You will learn why they are different from flat water canoes.