CANOE CLASSES

(All canoe classes are offered solo or tandem.)

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

INTRO WHITEWATER CANOE 4-Day Novice Training

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 two-day weekend will begin on still water and move onto more challenging class. The second weekend will be held on the Lehigh River in the Poconos. Tent camping included for Friday and Saturday nights at Whitewater Challengers. Please note: No RV's.

Whitewater Canoe Novice Training - June 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 2023   REGISTER HERE

CANOE-BASIC INSTRUCTION (Evening Session 5 - 8 p.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. No charge to ACA members, Non-ACA members $10.

Canoe-Basic Instruction May 18 (5 pm - 8 pm) - Thursday Evening    REGISTER HERE

INTRODUCTION TO CANOEING – (Two-Day Class)

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. 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 Canoeing May 20 & 21, 2023   REGISTER HERE

RIVER CANOEING ESSENTIALS - Level 2  (Two-Day Class)

Location: Schuylkill River

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.
You may take Day 1 only.

River Canoeing (Essentials) - Level 2 - June 17 & 18, 2023   REGISTER HERE

RIVER CANOEING - Level 3 (Two-Day Class) 

Location: Schuylkill River - Lehigh River

Prerequisite: Completion of River Canoeing Essentials Level 2 or equivalent skills.

This course will be taught on the Schuylkill River Saturday and Lower Lehigh River on Sunday. 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 victim 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 (Level 3) July 15 & 16, 2023   REGISTER HERE

WHITEWATER CANOEING - Level 4 - Two-Day Class (Date to be announced).

Prerequisite: Completion of River Canoeing Level 3 or equivalent skills.

Location: Schuylkill River - Lehigh River
We will practice strokes, maneuvers, water reading, safety and surfing. The goal of this class is to learn how to use the river to your advantage and become a more graceful and proficient paddler. 
The class will be taught on the Schuylkill River Saturday and the Lehigh River (class 1-2) in Jim Thorpe PA on Sunday. This class is a step up from the Intro to Canoe Class (flat and gentle moving water) and the River Canoeing Class, and a step down from the Whitewater Canoe Class (taught on the class 2-3 section of the Lehigh).

Please dress appropriately. No cotton clothing. Good 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.

.CANOE EVENING CLINICS (6 - 8 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:

Forward, Backward & Cross Forward Strokes - June 21

 REGISTER HERE

This clinic will focus on improving your forward, backward and cross forward stroke. The forward stroke is hardest to learn and is a lifelong learning process. There are two kinds of "J" strokes, "Traditional J" for cruising and "River J" for whitewater. Paddling backward is necessary for slowing down, stopping and back ferry boat control in twisty moving water or whitewater.

You may use either a whitewater or flat water canoe. Tandem students need to bring their partner

Clinic # 2: 

Prys and Draws, Side Slips, Braces with a J-Lean. -  June 28

 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 high and low braces, edging, "J" Leans, a handy skill to learn to keep from capsizing. 

You may use either a whitewater or flat water canoe. Tandem students need to bring a partner. 

Clinic # 3:

Front & Back Ferries, Intro to Eddy Turns - July 12

 REGISTER HERE

Front and Back Ferries - 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). You can ferry facing downstream (back ferry) or facing upstream (front ferry). Back ferries are especially important in canoes because you don't need to turn the boat against the upstream current, 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".

You may use either a whitewater or flat water canoe. Tandem students need to bring a partner.

Clinic # 4: 

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

Class 1-2 Whitewater - July 19 

REGISTER HERE

Prerequisite: Some whitewater experience necessary.

The goal of this class is to learn to good river judgement to navigate moving and whitewater safely and efficiently. This class will be held on the Schuylkill River at Flatrock in class 1-2 whitewater. 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. 

Recommended boats: whitewater solo canoe or any tandem canoe.

 

Clinic # 5: 

Basic Rescue Techniques - July 26

 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.  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.