Rec Kayak Clinic # 4: Preparing to Kayak in Faster Water

Clinic # 4 - July  31, 2025

Preparing to Kayak in Faster Water

Jere Downs – Lead Instructor

This clinic will help the recreational kayak paddler begin to develop good river judgement about navigating faster moving water safely and effectively.  The clinic will include discussion of how checking water levels, flow speeds, and tides is vital in assessing risks of paddling moving water. Participants will also begin to learn about reading moving water for hazards and challenges and making thoughtful decisions about waters you can safely navigate and which you should portage around. If water conditions on the river permit, there may be some practice of paddling techniques used in faster water: eddy turns, peel outs, and bracing.

Participants must be in good physical condition and good swimmers. This also means you are able to carry a 60-pound boat with the assistance of another paddler for 100 yards on rocky terrain. Participants must also be able to kneel and enter a boat unassisted at a dock and on the riverbank. Knowledge of how to “wet exit” or swim to shore upon capsizing will be covered in the course.

Cost: ($20 ACA-Members)  ($30 Non-ACA Members)

For further information, please contact Looie Voorhees at looielooie1@yahoo.com.