DemoFest 2010 Clinic Offerings
The schedule of mini clinics is below. For descriptions click on the title of any clinic. Mini clinics are booked on a first come-first served basis. Space is limited. All mini clinics are subject to change. Please check in at morning registration.
Introduction to Whitewater Kayaking:
Part One
Prerequisite
– none
Learn how
to choose whitewater specific equipment.
Examine the design elements that make a good introductory whitewater
kayak and how to do basic cockpit outfitting.
Start with basic self rescue skills including the wet-exit and swimming
with equipment. Then begin to get a feel
for some golden keys to how whitewater boats maneuver.
Introduction to Whitewater Kayaking:
Part Two
Prerequisite
– none
Learn some
basic river awareness and how to control your kayak in this new
environment. You will gain comfort in
crossing gentle currents. We will cover
basic maneuvers with names such as eddy turns and peel-outs and learn about
river features such as eddies, eddy lines and downstream V’s.
Where Do You Play? -- Dryway
Prerequisite
– class III experience and a solid roll
Advanced
Paddlers show off your favorite new boat and what features you like to play
on. You’ll also see what spots others
use plus a few of our own favorites.
Unlock you’re boats full potential for a fun filled run down the Dryway
section of the Deerfield.
Ducklings – Self Sufficiency
Prerequisite
– class II experience
Hey
Ducklings it’s time to fly! When you
begin paddling your always under the wing of a guide. We’ll give you some new feathers to help you
fly on your own. Self sufficiency
recognizes the need to be able to do some simple rescues on the fly, and we’ll
show you some of our tricks for helping capsized paddlers and their equipment
get back to shore quickly. We’ll also
discuss some next steps for planning your next adventure.
Balanced Paddler and Edge Control
Prerequisite
– class I experience
Are
you jittery or unstable in your boat?
Learn to use the three key attributes of a well-balanced paddler: good
posture, body mechanics and edge control.
This clinic will also address proper boat fit which is critical for fine
edge control. In the water our talented
instructors will provide you with drills to improve your balance and comfort.
Why Long Boats Are Back
Prerequisite
– class I experience
Try one of
the latest river running or creek boat designs and test out some new moves that
you might not have been comfortable trying in a smaller boat. We will also discuss the benefits of the
planning hulls over the older displacement hulls. Guess what? ...Attainments are back, and they’re
cool.
Smooth Paddling Using Draws
Prerequisite
– class II experience
Does your
paddling need some S.A.L.T. to make it better? We’ll help you smoothly Speed over eddylines, Angle more efficiently, Look in the direction of your turns and
maintain proper Tilt for better
balance. We’ll also make your turns
smoother by incorporating some really cool draw
stroke techniques. A few different
styles of these draws will allow you to glide effortlessly through current
differentials regardless of what size turn you need.
Stroke Timing and Efficiency – Fun
Slalom
Prerequisite
– class II experience
Do
you feel like you’re fighting to get anywhere on the river? Better stroke timing and technique will give
you that extra finesse you need to improve all your river maneuvers as well as
make your paddling look great! A fun
slalom course will be set with fun obstacles, so that you may put your timing
to the test. We will be racing for style & time with a
high fun factor.
Fundamentals of Freestyle
Prerequisite – class II experience
Start freestyle paddling with some fun and basic maneuvers that go beyond just eddy turns, peelouts, and ferries. Learn what new boats will enhance your fun. Focus will be on front surfing, side surfing, and spinning off rocks.
Conquer Freestyle Tricks
Prerequisite
– class II experience and a roll
Fine tune
the utmost degree of boat control by building on the fundamentals and conquer
the vertical world of freestyle tricks.
This is a great time to hop into a small sleek rodeo kayak design and
explore new river dimensions. We’ll look
at subtle changes in edge control and learn how to power moves through the use
of torso rotation. Through the use of pivot turns we’ll learn enders, stern-squirts, rock splats,
and cartwheels.
Kayak Camping with Crossover Kayaks
Prerequisite
– class I-II experience
Check out
these new crossover designs if you’ve ever thought about going camping from a
kayak. Learn tips and tricks for what to
bring and how to pack for a multi-day excursion. Paddle with different designs and experiment
with how a loaded boat maneuvers differently in the rapids.
First Timers on the Dryway
Prerequisite
– class III experience and a solid roll
Come join
some of our paddling elite for a comfortable trip down the Dryway. This is a great mini course for anyone
qualified and unfamiliar with this Upper
Deerfield River
gem. Time will be made for explanations
of rapids and scouting if necessary.
Girls Only, Because We Rule! (Sorry
Guys, Girls Only)
Prerequisite
– class I-II experience
This course
puts the fun back in kayaking. Meet up
with other female paddlers in the Deerfield
area and discuss anything you want, about kayaking that is, with a fun and
supportive group.
“Paddle Like a Girl with Grace and Finesse”
– For Women and Men
Prerequisite
– class I-II experience
Women, come
join forces to paddle and discuss boat designs that fit particularly well,
techniques that highlight our unique abilities and the state of the art of
women’s paddling. Rock on, Girlfriend! Men, we will break you down and force you to
paddle with the same precision as your female co-paddlers. For you this course is all about fineness and
not strength. Learn to paddle smarter
not harder. Rock on, Dude!
Open Paddling with Team Z, Pro Paddlers,
and You – Fife Brook
Prerequisite
– class I-II experience
Do you just
want to get out there and paddle with the best in the business? Here’s your opportunity to get to know pro
paddlers and get feedback on your own paddling.
This is also a great chance to paddle and get expert advice on a variety
of boats. Plus, have some time to meet
and socialize with other area paddlers.
Teens this is a great chance to meet your role models.
Open Paddling with Team Z, Pro Paddlers,
and You – Dryway
Prerequisite
– class III experience and a solid roll
Advanced
paddlers, do you just want to get out there and paddle with the best in the
business? Here’s your opportunity to get
to know pro paddlers and get feedback on your own paddling. This is also a great chance to paddle and get
expert advice on a variety of boats.
Plus, have some time to meet and socialize with other area
paddlers. Advanced teens this is a great
chance to meet your role models.
Open Canoeing for Whitewater
Kayakers
Prerequisite
– none
You know
what they’re saying, “half the paddle, twice the paddler”. Whitewater kayakers, join us in an open canoe
and have fun transferring and testing your skills with half a paddle. Already paddle a canoe, then try out some of
the latest designs and we’ll provide instruction to refine your paddling
technique. Learning to canoe is a great
way to explore the river in a fun and challenging craft. If you can roll, we challenge you to try it
in an open canoe to see if it is really as bombproof as you think.
Kid’s Clinic – Beginner
Prerequisite
– min age of 10
This
flatwater program will give kids 10 – 14 a chance to get in a whitewater boat
and learn the basics of paddling while having loads of fun too. This is a great opportunity to figure out
which boats fit your favorite paddling kid.
Parent/Child River Run
Prerequisite
– both parents & kids should have class I – II experience
Meet other
families that love to paddle together.
We will paddle a short class I-II section together. This is not a lesson but a time to network
with other paddling families and try out new boats.
New To Rolling
Prerequisite
– none
Learn about
how to do the most asked about trick in kayaking, a roll. Rolling is one of the skills that makes
whitewater kayaking/canoeing so unique.
This short course will show you the basic progression to help get you
started. Dress warm because you’ll be
spending a lot of time hanging out upside down and thinking underwater.
Improve Your Roll
Prerequisite
– basic rolling instruction
If you’re
just about there, this is a great course to help you learn some tricks that
might just get your roll the rest of the way.
If you are there we’ll help clean up any weakness with your roll so
it’ll be ready for the river.
Combat Rolling
Prerequisite
– Combat rollers should be able to complete a roll in flatwater
If
you have a roll that needs fine tuning in current, our skilled instructors can
help troubleshoot the problem. We’ll
practice a variety of different rolling situations, from friendly to down right
annoying.
River Rescue Q+A
Prerequisite
– none
This is
your opportunity to learn river rescue skills and get answers you’ve always
wanted. Bring your questions and we’ll
provide some possible solutions. Some
answers may involve acting out a situation with the whole group, so be prepared
to have fun and get wet.
Zoar Gap with a Plan
Prerequisite
– class II experience
The Zoar
Gap is a great test piece of class III whitewater. We’ll examine different options for both the
paddler that is looking to step up to the Gap and the paddler that is getting
ready to go beyond the Gap. Watch and
try different lines multiple times to really master the Gap and push your
comfort level in harder whitewater
If you would like to demo a new kayak or canoe and get some free instruction from some of the best paddlers in the country, mark your calendar for Demofest - June 25-27, 2010.
Best White Water Rafting Trips in the Americas