KAYAK, RAFT AND CANOE: INSTRUCTIONAL PADDLING CLINICS

Are you a beginner paddler looking to learn the basics in white water kayaking or rafting or an intermediate boater wanting to hone your techniques? Bill Dvorak’s Kayak, Raft and Canoe Instructional Paddling Clinics has a variety of programs to fit your needs. Our paddling clinics vary from a half-day introductory lake session covering  basic kayaking, rafting or canoeing techniques to a 12-day paddling intensive with our recommendation being a 3-7 day clinic to get the most value from your time on the water. All of our white water rafting trips also include the instructional option as an add on.

We will teach you the strokes and strategies you’ll need to learn how to guide yourself or others through the rapids. This is a unique and exhilarating way of learning a completely new way of experiencing the water if you are a committed paddler, regardless of age or previous level of boating.

Thousands of paddlers have come to Dvorak’s learning basic white water rafting and kayaking skills, taking on progressively greater challenges and achieving their own personal goals through our professional, personalized instruction. Our instructors have hundreds of hours of teaching and have run thousands of miles on our rivers and know what and how to communicate with those learning rafting, kayaking and canoeing. You can also choose the craft of your choice be that kayak, raft or canoe or all three! Our instructors are happy to share with you their knowledge about the most efficient techniques and important judgment calls you need to know to be a safe and proficient boater.

WHAT IS TAUGHT IN OUR PADDLING CLINICS

Our custom designed curriculum is designed to give you an in-depth understanding of river running, the reparation environment, the need to understand and protect it and river rescue techniques. Skillbuilding in opening lines of communication, enhancing self-image, improving group interaction and emphasizing self-reliance skills are also key areas of learning.

You learn from us how to captain either paddle rafts and oar powered rafts or how to kayak or canoe white water. You can chose to specialize in one or two modes of river travel or experiment with all of them.

The basic instructional areas within our clinics include:

  • Equipment selection
  • Maintenance and repair of equipment
  • Reading river flows, lines
  • Scouting and running rapids
  • Rescue and evacuation techniques
  • Minimum impact camping

Specific white water skills you will be taught include

  • Basic strokes
  • Ferrying
  • Eddy turns
  • River hydrology
  • River etiquette
  • Wet and dry exits (kayaking)
  • Eskimo roll (kayaking)
  • Surfing and play boating (kayaking)

Private instruction can be arranged to help you fine-tune your skills and erase old bad habits!  Full white water guide service available with advance reservations.. 

PREPARING TO GO

You do not have to be a super athlete, but you need to get used to sustained physical activity.  Parts of the course are strenuous; you will enjoy it more if you arrive in good condition.  See your doctor and dentist for a physical examination. We discourage any use of tobacco during our clinics. Endurance, flexibility, and strength are areas of concentration to make your experience fun and a lifelong sport to enjoy.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Dvorak’s provides the following.

  • Kayaks, canoes, inflatable kayaks
  • Personal gear (wet suits, booties, helmets, life jacket/pfd)
  • Rain jacket with pants (PVC)
  • Eating/cooking utensils, Dvorak cup.
  • Waterproof dry bags/containers for personal gear
  • Additional cost for camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, pad)
  • We offer a full gear package or partial if you bring some of your own items.

Multi day courses includes all meals (lunch day 1 through lunch last day)

Class Levels: Beginner/Intermediate class II-III, Intermediate/Advanced class III-V.

INSTRUCTIONAL SEMINARS
(Kayak - Canoe - Raft - Inflatable Kayaks)
 B - Beginner, I - Intermediate, A - Advanced
River & Canyon Length Book Now
 Private Instruction (1 x 1)
 		  1 day
* Arkansas River (Colorado)
Canyons vary (B,I,A)
Clinics DO NOT include accommodations.
MEALS: LUNCH ONLY.
Options: Camping, motel, bed and breakfast, etc.		 1/2 day am
1/2 day pm
1 day
2 days
3 days
4 days
5 days
*# Colorado River (Colorado)
# Little Gore Canyons (B,I)		 2 days
3 days
*# Colorado River (Colorado)
Kayak Instruction
# Glenwood Canyon (B,I)		 1 day
*# Dolores River
(Colorado) Ponderosa/Slickrock (I,A) as well as
Hanging Flume and Gateway Canyon (B,I,A) and
Castle Valley, Colo. River (B,I)		 3 days
5 days
8 days
10 days
*# Green River (Utah)
Desolation & Gray Canyons (B,I)
$1174 Your Equipment to $1274 Dvorak Equipment
 		 6 days
# Gunnison River (Colorado)
Gunnison Gorge (I,A)
($135 Airfare Not included in price of trip)
 		 1 day
2 days
*# Rio Chama (New Mexico)
Chama Canyons (B,I) 		2 days
3 days
*# Rio Grande The Lower Canyons
Colorado/Santa Elana Canyons (B,I)
(Texas/Mexico Border). Warm water; Spring Break dates.
Excellent beginner river!
 		 7 days
4 days
# Salmon River (Idaho)
Middle Fork (I,A)  “Idaho River Journeys”		 6 days

 

 

Printable Schedule and Pricing

Check out our Swiftwater Rescue Courses which can even take your skills, safety and judgment one step farther.