Pool Instruction:

The foundation of our program is based in our beginner pool sessions held once a week. The class is taught following the guidelines of the American Canoe Association and World Kayak Federation. The sessions follow a logical progression that starts with simple techniques and progresses into more complex skills. Topics include; introduction to kayak equipment, wet exits, fundamentals of basic strokes, bracing, eskimo rescue/t-rescue, and the fundamentals of the kayak roll. Two sessions are held each Sunday night in the LC Campus Indoor Pool from 6pm to 7pm and from 7pm to 8pm. Registration for Pool Sessions is done weekly over the club email list-serve of LCPC. To be included on the LCPC list serve email Turin Hill at paddle@lclark.edu.

 

River Instruction:

Once club participants have attended 3 pool sessions and/or have demonstrated proficiency in the neccessary skills, the next step is to hit the river. We offer several different river courses to suit different skill levels and desires. All river courses are taught by professional ACA certified whitewater kayak instructors. Course locations dependent on river levels.

Beginner River Course

This class is perfect for those who have never been on the river, or those who want to refresh basic skills. Topics include; hydrology, peelouts/eddy turns, ferries, reading water, and river safety. Courses are held on local class I to II rivers. Common locations are the Sandy river and Clackamas Park.

Beginning Intermediate Course

This class is for those who have completed the Beginner River Course or have prior paddling experience. Topics include; advanced hydrology, rolling in the river, and introduction playboating moves such as surfing and stern squirts. Courses are held on local class II to III rivers such as the Lower Clackamas, Wilson, and White Salmon.

Playboating Clinics

These clinics are for paddlers wanting to develop their playboating skills. We teach wave surfing, hole surfing, squirts, cartwheels, and introduce new aerial moves made possible with new boat designs. River locations for clinics are diverse and dependent on river levels.

Courses are free to participants and all kayak equipment is provided by the Lewis and Clark Paddling Club with the generous support of the Associated Students of Lewis and Clark College (ASLC). To signup for a course, first join the club by sending an email to "paddle@lclark.edu" and mention which courses interest you.