Intro to White Water Kayaking – Learning the Basics on Flatwater

OVERVIEW

Have you ever wanted to try white water kayaking? Whether you’re an adrenaline junky looking for another extreme sport to quench your thirst, or like leisurely cruising down rivers with the sun on your shoulders, white water kayaking is the next outdoor recreational activity you should try! This class is designed to teach you the basics of white water kayaking: information about white water (ww) kayaks, how to paddle and maneuver a ww kayak, wet exiting, T-rescues, and recovery techniques. You will also have the opportunity to learn the Eskimo roll. This trip goes out “rain or shine”. It will only be canceled by a thunder storm.

I’ll need drivers for this since I will be meeting you at Walnut Creek. You will meet at Echols, and hopefully a couple folks with vehicles will sign up, I may have to replace someone on the trip list with someone on the waitlist if I need driver. Driver: you can find directions posted with the adventure (follow the ‘Walnut Creek Park’ link). Please turn right into the lower parking lot (the first one you come to). If you end up at a beach area, you’ve gone too far.

If you wish to put your new skills to the test on a river, I’ll be leading some this spring, summer, and fall (weather/water level permitting). In order to be qualified to go on a river trip you must first take this intro class. Please contact me with any questions – dclark@virginia.edu or
(434) 962-9737.

The Club provides: boats, skirts, paddles, pfds (personal flotation devices), helmets, noseplugs, wetsuits, Instruction

You should bring: swimwear, towel, change of clothes, water, snacks, sunscreen