INSTRUCTION
FROM KIDS TO
KIDS AT HEART
ALL AGES AND SKILL LEVELS WELCOME
No matter your level of experience, we have paddling lessons you’ll enjoy. As always, we’re first and foremost focused on safety and making sure you have a great and memorable experience. We’re extremely familiar with our local waters and eager to share them with others!
All instructors are certified by the American Canoe Association (ACA), in addition to CPR and first aid, which means we teach the most current paddling techniques that translate through paddle sports education centers nationwide and we have your safety top of mind.
PADDLE LIKE A GIRL
($50/session, $40/ own SUP board)
Sisters * Daughters * Mothers * Girlfriends - Come unwind with us from the week & start your weekend right. Join us for stand-up paddleboarding in a safe environment with a certified instructor + snacks:
1-Friday, June 20, 5:30-7:30 PM (Solstice Singing Bowls)
2-Saturday, July 19, 1-3P
(If these dates don't work, get your fave ladies together & contact us to schedule a private paddle.)
WHITEWATER SUP
($175/full day)
Take stand-up paddleboarding to the next level! This clinic will teach you the skills necessary to run whitewater on your SUP board, acquaint you with river running equipment, explore river dynamics & get you surfing! All gear provided. If you have your own gear, please bring it! Join us on the river:
Saturday, July 12 9AM-5PM.
INTRO TO WHITEWATER KAYAKING
($175)
This 5-hour course is designed to introduce beginner kayakers to the basics of whitewater kayaking. We start at our shop, then progress to Newton Lake to introduce basic paddling skills. If conditions warrant, we conclude the lesson at the river studying river dynamics. Our instructors are certified by the American Canoe Association and follow the ACA curriculum.
KAYAK BASICS
($90/session)
Interested in kayaking but don't know where to begin? This 3-hour clinic covers the basics of flatwater kayaking for the eager first-timers. Learn about the equipment and how to safely use it to ensure you'll have a great day on the water. All transportation and gear is provided.
RAFTING 101
($325/2-day session)
Are you looking to better understand the ins and outs of whitewater rafting? In this course, instructors will go over all aspects of rafting you'll need to feel confident on the river. This course is designed for new recreational rafters.
Topics Covered:
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including gear selection
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setup and rigging
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rowing and paddling
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guiding paddle and oar rafts
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river dynamicsan
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basic river safety and recovery techniques.
1-July 25-26, (Friday 10-5P, Saturday 10A-3P)
2-DAY WHITEWATER
PROGRESSION CLINIC
($325/session)
This course consists of two, 5-hour sessions over three days, and is designed to give beginner kayakers a jump start into whitewater kayaking.
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Day 1 starts with gear selection and an introduction to equipment, basic flat water paddling skills at the lake, along with learning the wet exit, bow rescue, bracing, and edging. After lunch, we'll focus on river dynamics, eddy turns, peel-ins and outs, and ferrying. We will run our first rapid that day as well!
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Day 2 begins with a review and then a full trip down a Class II section of the river, putting all our new skills to work.
Prerequisites: Basic swimming ability and enthusiasm!
What to Bring: Water bottle, eyeglass retainer, sunscreen, and a change of clothing.
All transportation, gear, and equipment provided.
SWIFTWATER RESCUE SKILLS
($325)
Develop your knowledge of river saftey and build your skills and confidence. This 2-day course follows the ACA (American Canoe Association) Level-4 curriculum and is designed around recreational river runners and is boater-specific. We spend time learning skills on dry land as well applying them on the river. Our Instructors are ACA certified and follow the ACA curriculum.
1- May 8-9, 9A-5P
2-June 6-7, 9A-5P
Topics covered:
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Swimming
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Knots and hitches
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Throw rope techniques
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Wading
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Pins and wraps
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Entrapments
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Strainers
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Z-drags
Prerequisites: Basic swimming ability and enthusiasm!
What to Bring: Type V or Type III PFD, helmet, cold water clothing such as wetsuit or drysuit, closed-toe footwear, any rescue equipment you already have (throw rope, carabiners prussiks, etc.), your own craft (kayak, raft, SUP board, packraft)
All Transportation provided.
ACA Level 3/4 Whitewater Packraft Instructor Course
($650, $300-recert)
Want to become an ACA Certified Packraft Instructor? This course is focused on the latest technical knowledge, terminology, teaching skills, personal paddling skills, and safety awareness in a swiftwater teaching environment.
This course helps you work on personal and interpersonal development and pushes you to build skills and knowledge through peer feedback, video analysis, and lectures. We combine practical on-water demonstrations and presentations with real-world scenarios that will equip you to deal with teaching this multifaceted sport as a professional. This course sets the industry standard for instruction in paddle sports.
The ACA instructor certification process is broken up into two core components: the Instructor Development Workshop (IDW), and Instructor Certification Exam (ICE). The IDW presents students with the skills and knowledge that are required to become an instructor. The ICE is an opportunity for each candidate to demonstrate his/her proficiency in the presentation (logical progression) and demonstration (proper modeling) of the skills, and knowledge necessary for certification.
Dates:
June 24-27 (Tuesday-Friday)
we will hike in to a couple sections of river.
ACA Packraft Instructor Update/Upgrade:
This course is for those who are already certified as an ACA Packraft Instructor, but need to complete an update course to maintain their certification or are looking to upgrade their certification.
Dates: Any two days of the full course
Information: www.gunnisonkayakprogram.com