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

WHITEWATER KAYAKING CLASSES

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

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.

FUNDAMENTALS OF WHITEWATER KAYAKING (2 Hours)

This is an on-the-water class, be prepared to get wet.

This class will introduce you to whitewater kayaking. It is designed for people who are interested in the sport and would like to know how to get started. Bring us your questions and concerns. We will discuss different types and sizes of whitewater kayaks, how to sit properly in one and find the right fit. Equipment that you need and why. How to properly fit a spray skirt and a helmet, life jacket and sizing a paddle.

Personal safety will be covered. Proper clothing, proper footwear, and the invaluable nose clip. General fitness and how to take care of yourself on the river. Drinking water, food, and medication (if needed).

On the water you will learn balance and paddle strokes to control the kayak in gentle moving water, not whitewater.  You will also learn what to do in a capsize, how to perform a “wet exit” and the value of paddling with friends for safety.

WHITEWATER KAYAK ESSENTIALS INTRO

Location: Schuylkill River, Philadelphia Canoe Club

This is an on-the-water class, be prepared to get wet.

No experience necessary. This one-day course is designed for students with little or no formal kayak training. The essentials skills to be covered are:

Types of whitewater kayaks, equipment and outfitting, water safety, basic paddle strokes, boat control techniques, assisted and self-rescue techniques.

Successful completion of this course will allow students to participate in Philadelphia Canoe Club’s (PCC) Wednesday Night Flat Rock Trips on the Schuylkill River.

WHITEWATER KAYAKING NOVICE TRAINING 

May 30th (Friday Evening, 5:30 p.m.)

Weekend 1 - May 31st and June 1st

Weekend 2  - June 7th & 8th, 2025

No experience necessary. This course is held over a period of two weekends. You will be introduced to proper fit and use of equipment, strokes, maneuvers, assisted and self rescue, river reading and safety while building skills to paddle class two whitewater. 

Class begins Friday Evening (May 31) which will include a mandatory orientation,  equipment fitting, class assignments, meeting instructors and logistics for the class. Please wear clothing that may get soiled or wet as you will be sitting in a kayak during the fitting.

The first two-day weekend is held in Philadelphia on the Schuylkill River followed by two days on the Lehigh River in the Poconos. Tent camping at Whitewater Challengers in the Poconos is included for Friday and Saturday nights (June 6 & 7). A dinner will be provided at the campground on Saturday evening, June 7 in the pavillion.

Please note: NO RV's permitted in the campground.

Successful completion of this course will allow students to participate in Philadelphia Canoe Club’s (PCC) Wednesday Night Flat Rock Trips on the Schuylkill River.

Whitewater Kayaking, 4 Day Training Class,  MAY 30, 31, June 1, 7 & 8, 2025   Register Here 

WHITEWATER KAYAKING Not-So-Novice TRAINING

May 30th (Friday Evening, 5:30 p.m.)

Weekend 1 - May 31st and June 1st

Weekend 2  - June 7th & 8th, 2025

This class is part of the Philadelphia Canoe Club (PCC) Whitewater Kayaking Novice Training Class. It is designed as a step-up class for students who have taken novice training or have whitewater skills and experience; and wish to improve.

Prerequisites: 

• You must be comfortable on class II Whitewater (like the Lehigh River) and have taken the PCC Novice Training course or equivalent. 
• You must be able to perform the basic paddling skills taught in a novice course. You should be comfortable underwater while performing wet exits and familiar with "J" leans, hip snaps and braces.

Venue: Schuylkill River, Lehigh River, or appropriate river to be determined by instructor.

Note:  You may take the first weekend only.

Lehigh Weekend: Tent camping only at Whitewater Challengers in the Poconos is included for Friday and Saturday nights (June 6 & 7). A dinner will be provided at the campground on Saturday evening, June 7 in the pavillion.

Course Description:

This course will review the basic kayaking skills taught in the Philadelphia Canoe Club Novice Training Course and will concentrate more on river safety, river reading, improving paddling strokes, eddy turns, peel outs and ferries.

Class begins Friday Evening (May 31) with a mandatory orientation.  IMPORTANT: Bring your kayak and essential gear.  Wear river clothes and be prepared to be in the water. 

Successful completion of this course will allow students to participate in Philadelphia Canoe Club’s (PCC) Wednesday Night Flat Rock Practice on the Schuylkill River and club trips.

Whitewater Kayak Not-So-Novice 2025 Register Here

WHITEWATER KAYAKING INTRODUCTION – 1-Day Class

July 15, 2025 (Tuesday)Register Here

June 22, 2025 Register Here

July 20, 2025  Register Here 

August 17, 2025  Register Here

No experience necessary. This course is designed for students with little or no formal kayak training. Lessons include basic strokes, maneuvers, assisted and self-rescue, river reading and safety. The class will teach students the essentials of whitewater river kayaking. Successful completion of this course will allow students to participate in Philadelphia Canoe Club’s (PCC) Wednesday Night Flat Rock Trips on the Schuylkill River.

WHITEWATER KAYAKING INTRODUCTION (2-Day Class) 

No experience necessary. This two-day course is designed for students with little or no formal kayak training. Lessons include basic strokes, maneuvers, assisted and self-rescue, river reading and safety. The course will teach students the essentials of whitewater kayaking. The two-day format allows for a slower pace and more time to work on skills.

Successful completion of this course will allow students to participate in Philadelphia Canoe Club’s (PCC) Wednesday Night Flat Rock Trips on the Schuylkill River.

WHITEWATER KAYAKING – INTERMEDIATE (2-Day Class) 

Prerequisite: Whitewater kayaking experience necessary.

This class is designed for students who are comfortable on class 2-3 water and have a reliable roll and can self-rescue. You will be encouraged to try more challenging maneuvers.

WHITEWATER KAYAKING – ADVANCED (1-Day Class)

Location: Lower Youghiogheny River, Ohiopyle, PA

This class is designed for the proficient intermediate paddler who is comfortable on the Lehigh River and who is interested in  improving their skills on more challenging class 3 water. Self-rescue skills and a roll is preferred but not required. 

 You will learn creeking moves such as boofs, grinds, and using your hands with rocks while learning techniques for running larger drops and navigating and surfing holes.

Paddlers must bring their own equipment (boat, paddle, PFD, spray skirt, helmet) and transportation.

Please contact Todd Zielinski commodore@philacanoe.org for more information.

WHITEWATER KAYAK RIVER PLAY - INTERMEDIATE (1-Day Class)

Location: Lehigh River

Prerequisite: Whitewater kayaking experience necessary. This class is designed for people who have completed the Novice training 4 day class, either this year or previously, want to step up their skills, learn to play on the river, and are comfortable on and in a whitewater river. Bring your own boat and gear.  A roll is not necessary but helpful, and you should know basic self-rescue. Learn to play the river. Surfing, spinning, catching eddies, looking for fun features, stern squirts, and enjoying the river on a summer day. Class will be held on the Lehigh River and tailored to the students. Bring your equipment and meet your instructors at the White Haven Put-In at 10 a.m.