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.
July 20, 2024 Register Here
August 24, 2024 Register Here
WHITEWATER KAYAKING NOVICE TRAINING – 4-Day Training Class
June 6 (Evening Session), 7 & 8, 15 & 16, 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. 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 included for Friday and Saturday nights. Please note: NO RV's.
Friday Evening Session (June 6) mandatory orientation will include equipment and 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.
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, June 6, 7 & 8, 15 & 16, 2025 Register Here
WHITEWATER KAYAKING Not-So-Novice TRAINING - 4-Day Training Class
May 31, June 1&2, 8&9, 2024
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 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.
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.
This course will be held over a period of two weekends beginning with an orientation and boat fitting on Friday evening May 31, at 5:30 p.m. followed by two days of on-the-water training. The second weekend will be held on the Lehigh River in the Poconos which includes camping at Whitewater Challengers Friday and Saturday nights.
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 Kayak Not-So-Novice Training - May 31, June 1&2, 8&9, 2024 Register Here
WHITEWATER KAYAKING INTRODUCTION – 1-Day Class
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 - (1-Day): July 14, 2024 Register Here
Whitewater Kayaking - (1-Day): July 21, 2024 Register Here
Whitewater Kayaking - (1-Day): August 18, 2024 Register Here
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.
July 27 & 28, 2024 Register Here
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.
June 22, 2024 Register Here