This development program starts out with a skills Tandem River Canoe Skills Development Program Entrance Evaluation planned at Hermitage Pond on May 3rd. You must register for that session and pass to be accepted into this program.
This series is meant to take a paddler who has taken an Intro to Moving Water skills course and help them practice and improve the skills and confidence to become better river paddlers.
A series of progressively more challenging rivers have been selected to allow participants opportunities to experience and practice in different river features, while instructors debrief and provide feedback for development. The series ends at the Ceyana education week where participants would join the larger tripping group for sessions 5 and 6.
You may register with a partner or as an individual. We will do our best to match you up with a partner. Both partners in a tandem group must register. It is highly advised to attend ALL sessions in this series.
The planned sessions are as follows:
Session 1: May 10– NSR -Edmonton (2 to 3 hrs)
Session 2: May 24– Pembina River (Day Trip)
- ***Note Wild Hay Session is Dependent on river water levels ***
Session 3: May 31– Wild Hay (Day Trip from Base Camp )
Session 4: June 1– Wild Hay (Day Trip from Base Camp )
- ***Note If no Wild Hay Session then skills development session will be at Twin Lakes, If there is water you can still participate in the Twin Lakes Ed Week Trips for more practice ***
Session 5: June 7– Blue Bridge to Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site (Day Trip from Base Camp at Crimson Lake Provincial Park)
Session 6: June 8– Horburg to Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site (Day Trip from Base Camp at Crimson Lake Provincial Park)
The student to teacher ratio is 4 tandem boats to 1 instructor. Safety is emphasized throughout the series.
Prerequisites: Intro to Moving Water canoe skills course and reasonable swimming skills.
Needed gear: canoe, paddle, lifejacket, helmet, dry bag, throw bag, bailer/sponge, and nice to haves: wet/dry suit, rain gear, neoprene booties. kneepads
All equipment will/can be supplied, but participants are encouraged to bring/use their own. Rain gear should be brought... only thunder storms chase us off the water.
Camping:
Session 3 and 4 at the Wild Hay - requires you to book your own campsite
Either Gregg Lake - William A. Switzer Provincial Park | Alberta Parks
or Kinky Lake campground - We have the group campsite booked. Let Donna McKean know if you want to register.
** Please check with Donna (donnaluke@shaw.ca) before booking **
Session 5 and 6 at the Crimson Lake Provincial Park requires you to book into the club education week group campsite : use this link to book https://ceyanacanoeclub.wildapricot.org/event-6039365
Transportation: all participants should be prepared to haul their own or a club boat to the specific location. You can discuss car pooling with fellow course participants or contact the course instructor if you need assistance with a club boat.
Cancellation: If river flows are not good for planned rivers, alternative rivers will be found and dates may be adjusted.
Planned Instructor : Donna McKean
For further info contact donnaluke@shaw.ca
