Carolina Canoe Club 2008 Paddling Clinics

The annual Carolina Canoe Club Whitewater Instruction Clinics are coming soon. All clinics are two days long and are designed to enhance the paddling enjoyment, skills, and safety of both kayakers and open boaters. All clinics are taught by volunteer instructors who are certified by the American Canoe Association (ACA). The cost of the clinics is a very reasonable $60.00 per person.

In order to participate you must be a member of the Carolina Canoe Club. You must also be at least 16 years of age and provide your own equipment and transportation. Due to a lack of available instructors for these types of craft, no inflatable, sit-on-tops, touring, recreational, or similar crafts are allowed in these clinics. If you have a question about your boat’s suitability for these clinics please contact Ruth Albright (see contact information below).

If you are not yet a member of the club and want to take a clinic you may send in both the clinic registration form and club membership application at the same time, but separate checks are necessary. Make all checks payable to the Carolina Canoe Club and indicate the intent (clinic or membership) in the memo section of the check(s).

Class size is limited and will be assigned on a first come-first served basis. Please send your registration to the appropriate contact person listed below. There are separate contacts, addresses, and registration deadlines for each of the clinics. You will be provided with additional clinic information, waiver forms, and logistical details after the registration deadline has passed.

• Beginner Clinics - June 14 and 15, 2008.
  These clinics are aimed at people who are serious about getting into the sport of whitewater paddling but have little or no experience. They will be held in the Triangle area. The exact location will be decided by the individual instructors and will depend on the paddling background of the group and the local water conditions. Students must have their own equipment to take part.

  For more information about the Beginner Clinics, please see the contact information below. The registration deadline for the Beginner clinics is May 23, 2008.

• Novice and Intermediate Clinics - May 17 and 18, 2008.
  These clinics will be held in the Bryson City area. They will focus on basic paddling skills and river running techniques. The instructors will determine the clinic setting/river based on the skills and desires of the students for each class. Use the skill level definitions found in the registration form instructions to rate yourself accurately and honestly. (Hint - paddling around a lake makes you a Beginning paddler, not a Novice). We will camp at Turkey Creek campground in Almond, NC. The Club has reserved camping space so you do not need to make individual reservations unless you are bringing a trailered camper or an RV. You are responsible for your camping fees ($8 per person, $3 per vehicle). You can check for camping information and directions at www.turkey-creek.com. Students must provide their own boats and all paddling equipment.

  For more information about the Novice and Intermediate Clinics, please use the contact information below. The registration deadline for the Novice and Intermediate Clinics is April 25, 2008.

• Advanced Clinics - May, June and August 2008 (dates vary by class; see registration form).

  With an abundance of caution and to assure that the club is holding its clinics in a manner consistent with Forest Service Regulations, CCC is postponing the August "Advanced Fundamentals" and "Personal First Descent" Kayak Clinics due to several questions that have come up with regards to Forest Service regulations. If you have any questions, please contact Ruth Albright (education.chair@carolinacanoeclub.org).

  The advanced clinics are designed to focus on specific skills. We have had some great boaters teach these classes in the past. Rivers paddled in these clinics are dependent on water levels and are at the discretion of the instructor. These clinics fill up quickly so register early. Registration is limited to one class per person unless additional space is available.

  Advanced students must complete both sides of the registration form. Because of the more challenging nature of the rivers used for these clinics, you must provide a combination of information that details your skill level. The instructors will review this information and contact you with any questions.

  Topics:
  Introduction to Playboating: Want to learn to operate your kayak in three dimensions? This clinic will work on the fundamentals to perform playboating moves: flat spins, bow and stern initiations, and linking ends. You must have a reliable river roll and come prepared to be upside down and wet.
  Creeking: Want to learn how to run drops and slot moves? This clinic will work on techniques for creeking such as boofs and landing drops and understanding small/steep river dynamics. You must have a reliable river roll.
  Advanced Single Blade: Do you canoe yet aren’t quite comfortable executing moves in heavier current? This clinic will be based on the Ocoee and will work on canoe fundamentals in heavier, pushier water.
  Advanced Kayak Fundamentals: Have you completed the CCC N/I clinics and yet don’t feel ready for advanced paddling? This clinic will be based on the Ocoee and will work on kayak fundamentals. You must have paddled the Ocoee several times and have a reliable river roll. This is NOT a first timers trip on the Ocoee.
  Personal First Descent: This clinic will be on a river with Class III or IV rapids, preferably one that you have not yet paddled. The clinic will work on developing river reading skills and decision points to improve your ability to paddle new water comfortably.

  For more information about the Advanced Clinics, please see the contact information below. The registration deadline for the Advanced clinics varies with the clinic, note the deadline below the clinic information.

Cancellation Policy - If you cancel on or before the registration deadline, we will refund your money - after the deadline, consider it a donation to the club.

Registration - Registration forms are available in the March/April issue of the Paddler. You can also access them online at www.carolinacanoeclub.org/2008ClinicRegForm.pdf. Please mail the completed forms, along with payment, to the appropriate address listed below.

If you use the online form, you should be able to type the data in most of the fields BEFORE you print the form. Just display the form, press the tab key to go to the first field and type the data. Use the tab key to move from field to field. After you print the filled-in form, complete the remaining fields manually. Typing the data will make it easier for the clinic coordinators to read the information.

You need a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to access the registration form. 

Contacts:

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