Advanced Strokes and Technical Skills
Learn the skills that will take your kayaking to an intermediate/advanced level in our Advanced Strokes and Technical Skills 1 Day Clinic on the Deerfield River in Massachusetts.
DURATION
AGE
LEVEL
INCLUSIONS
Overview
Progress your Kayaking Skills in the Advanced Strokes and Technical Skills 1 Day Clinic
Learn the skills that will take your kayaking to an intermediate level on our Advanced Strokes and Technical Skills 1 Day Clinic on the Deerfield River. Find out how to break class III whitewater down into smaller, less intimidating sections and practice planning and executing moves more consistently as you paddle the rapids of Zoar Gap. This clinic focuses on improving your precision kayaking and is appropriate for class II kayakers. Participants need to be able to cross challenging eddy lines confidently and should have started practicing the kayak roll.
We will begin the day with a review of strokes and dial in fundamental techniques. Based on the knowledge of the participants, instructors may focus on a variety of strokes to help those in attendance improve their paddling. We create self-sufficient paddlers by practicing the use of river signals, scouting techniques and assisted rescue techniques to help fellow paddling friends after a swim. We focus on challenging moves in class II whitewater that will be used to help push into the class III realm.
Who Should Take the Clinic
This clinic focuses on improving your precision kayaking and is appropriate for an advanced beginner (Class II) and intermediate kayakers. To take this clinic, participants must be able to perform eddy turns, peel outs and ferries in Class II water, roll (50%) on Class II water, and perform self-rescues. Additionally, participants need to be able to cross challenging eddy lines confidently.
What Should I wear?
While some of the flatwater areas we use are quite warm in June, July, and August, the Deerfield River is always cool, regardless of the time of year or air temperature. When packing your paddling clothes, please plan accordingly, especially if you are coming early or late in the season (April, May, September, and October). Our clinics will run rain or shine.
Wear items such as:
- Synthetic long underwear, garments made of polypropylene, Capilene, or some polyester/spandex blend
- Fleece or wool socks
- Bathing suit
- Fleece or wool jacket/sweater (early/late season or if you tend to chill easily)
Other items to bring:
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Retaining strap for glasses
- Nose plugs
- Towel
- Required medications
- Extra money for snacks or T-shirts
What we provide
- boat
- wetsuit
- paddle jacket
- booties
- life jacket
- helmet
- paddle
- sprayskirt
If you own your own equipment, we suggest you use it in the clinic to get used to its quirks.
We provide a catered picnic-style lunch on all our full day clinics.
The following statement is required by state law: “Before placing your order, please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.”
We do not use nuts in our food, but can not guarantee that the ingredients in our meals do not contain nuts or other food allergens. If you have food allergies or other special dietary needs, we strongly suggest you bring your own bag lunch in non-glass containers and we will pack it with the other lunches on your trip. Please inform our office at 413-339-4010 or