Hardshell Basics — Moving Water Immersion — Roll Class
Hardshell Basics:
This class provides an introduction to the basics of paddling a hard-shell whitewater kayak. This lesson is one of the best classes you can take early on in your paddling career. We will go over all details that are often overlooked by self-taught paddlers. These skills can make the difference between being a lifelong paddler vs. getting an injury / bad habits early on in your paddling.
Our ACA certified instructors use traditional teaching methods, as well as skill building games to encourage beginners and intermediates to excel in a fun and safe environment. Our courses take place right outside our shop on the Willamette River, or in a freshwater lake known as the Clackamas Cove in close proximity to our flat water slalom gates. Gain valuable kayaking experience to apply to our Moving Water Immersion Course that takes the next step towards whitewater kayaking!
Skills Covered:
- Kayak Nomenclature and other terminology
- How to safely enter/exit/empty/carry a kayak in and out of water
- Basic stroke techniques (how not to flip over)
- Basic safety principles
- Essential boat control concepts
Moving Water Immersion
Take the next step and paddle an individual kayak into the moving waters of the Lower Clackamas River. We provide inflatable kayaks, paddles, and lifejackets, or if you’re a graduate from our Hardshell Basics course, we encourage you to put your skills to the test in a hardshell kayak.
Perfect for those transitioning from flat water and recreational paddling to whitewater!
Skills Covered:
- River running stroke techniques
- River Reading skills
- Peel-outs and Eddy-turns
- River running boat control skills
- Crossing the river, and using the current to your advantage
Kayak Rolling Classes:
Ready to become a true white water paddler? A solid roll is one of the most important skills a hardshell kayaker can develop. This course provides intimate instruction from our professional teaching staff who are dedicated to get you rolling quickly! We teach you the important components of an effective hip snap, and then our specialized bow rolling progression. Once you have mastered the t-rescue, we teach the C-C, Sweep, Back deck and Hand Roll. This course is open to paddlers of all skill levels and is taught in our dry dock rolling pool right at our shop. We have the perfect diagnostic rolling pool right in Oregon City, so reserve your spot today! In the winter time, check our Facebook page for a current indoor pool rolling schedule.
All of our trips have a 72-hour cancellation and rescheduling policy for a full refund or to reschedule without a fee. Rescheduling within the 72-hour window is subject to a $15 reschedule fee. Day-of cancellations or no-shows are non-refundable.
Hardshell Basics
Duration: 1.5 Hours
Call for Availability
$60 per person
Moving Water Immersion
Duration: 1.5 Hours
Call for Availability
$60 per person
Kayak Rolling Class
Duration: 1.5 Hours
Call for Availability