Novice Whitewater Kayak

This clinic is designed for paddlers who have some experience in moving water and want to build confidence and consistency on Class I–II rivers before stepping up to more difficult runs. The focus of this course is on reinforcing fundamental skills and helping them transfer from Class I into Class II conditions.

Location: Tuckaseegee Gorge

Class Size: 10 Students

You May Be Ready for a Novice Clinic if You:

• Have paddled Class I–II rivers
• Are comfortable on flatwater and in gentle current
• Know basic forward and turning strokes
• Are beginning to catch eddies and change direction in current
• Want to feel more in control before moving up to Class III

What You’ll Work On

Novice clinics focus on strengthening core whitewater skills and building comfort in moving water.

Instruction commonly includes:

• Refining fundamental paddle strokes
• Boat control and balance in current
• Entering and exiting eddies in Class I–II conditions
• Understanding how current moves the boat
• Building stability in small wave trains

The emphasis is on practice, repetition, and feedback, allowing skills to become more consistent.

What to Expect

Clinic formats vary based on the river and the group. Some clinics begin on flatwater or slow-moving water to reinforce fundamentals before transitioning to the river.

Most on-river time is spent on Class I–II sections, with occasional exposure to easier Class II+ features as appropriate.

Typical Rivers

Novice clinics are often held on rivers such as:

• Lower Green River
• Middle Haw River
• Tuckaseegee Gorge
• Other similar Class I–II runs

Participants Leave Better Prepared to:

• Paddle Class I–II rivers with greater confidence and control
• Use basic strokes and maneuvers more intentionally in current
• Maintain awareness of the river and group while moving downstream
• Build skills and confidence needed to progress to Intermediate I