KAYAKING

7-Day Whitewater Kayak School

Trip Details

Day 1: Orientation and Introductions
The first day of all classes, Sunday, begins the same for any level. Breakfas is served between 8-9 AM. We gather in the livingroom and everyone introduces themselves and tells the staff what they want achieve during the week; what experience they have; and what their needs are in general. We then pass out needed equipment; meet at the pond and evaluate paddeling techniques and determine skill levels. We go over saftey issues; hand signals; lingo that all will understand. Depending on the skill level some groups will go directly to the river; others will stay on the pond for the day to learn the basics of kayaking.

Day 2: Kayaking
Every morning begins with a theory session, 'chalk talk', in the livingroom. We will discuss different aspects of kayaking skills and how to grasp them. We may use video; props; stories; and books to demonstate the concept. Most everyone is on the river on day 2. Advanced/intermediate groups will be on a few different runs close to the lodge. The Cal-Salmon offeres class 2-5 river levels, so there is something for everyone. Some will head for Oak Bottom, our local play hole. Others will begin their river week on runs that will promote skill acquisition. We take each student on an individual basis and work with them on what they need to learn and what they would lilke to learn. We evaluate and disect everyone's paddling and provide information to help the student's performance improve while feeling safe and confident in the river. The group is sub-grouped into 2-3 people with one instructor, so lots of individual attention is available. Video taping on this day may happen as well. We will discuss the video at morning meetings. This is a great learning tool.

Day 3: More Kayaking
After morning meeting, everyone gears up and hits the river. There will typically be 4 different groups heading for different runs. By day 3, the instructors know what each student needs to practice and the river becomes the classroom. Bad habbits begin to disolve while the proper technique takes over. Paddling becomes easier, because a professional instructor is right beside you helping you and pointing things out to you. Beginning students are starting to 'put together' the information they have been taught so far. There's a lot to learn, but the light is beginning to show at the end of the river. This is sometimes a big learning curve day. By the end of day 3, everyone is tired and needs a regrouping day and a rest. It's important to pace yourselves so the energy level lasts thought out the week. Don't over do it, or the end of the week won't be fun. Having 7 days at a kayak school provides you the luxury of taking your time to learn and not be rushed. We will pace you so you don't get too tired to learn and practice new skills.

Day 4: Wednesday: A Day of Rest
Sometimes our 'rest day' becomes our 'un-rest day' since we offer so many things to do. We encourage everyone to do a non-kayaking activity. Rest your muscles and let all the information you have received sink in. A typical rest day begins with a llittle later breakfast if you want; a little shopping in the 'botique'; a liesurely morning. Around 10:30 most everyone heads to the pond to practice their rolls; off side rolls or hand rolls, what ever you need to work on. Some pass on the pond session. Lunch is served at the lodge this day. We serve an incredible buffet lunch that is eaten outside in the sun where everyone visits and relaxes with each other. There are options in the afternoon depending on how active or inactive you wish to be. We offer: Power lounging in the hammack; mountain biking mountain bikes provided); a wilderness hike; swimming in a variety of crystal clear swimming holes; or diving with a snorkel and mask to view the salmon coming up river. Just remember there are 3 more days of kayaking, so a good book at the beach isn't a bad idea either. For those of you who just don't listen, you are welcome to do a river day with the instructors. When our play hole, Oak Bottom, is in, we often go down there for a mini-rodeo.

Day 5: Back on the River
After your 'rest day' everyone is ready to put their skills to the test. The last 3 days are often 'break-through' days for a lot of students. The rhythm of kayaking sets in. It begins to flow. Some groups may be rearranged and switched around, depending on the river runs of the day. Each paddler should feel comfortable on the river by now. The runs are notched up a bit depending on each person's progression. The instructors know where each student belongs, and what they can do, and what they need to practice. The group has really bonded by this time, and everyone is encouraging and supportive to each other. After a day on the river, back to the lodge for a sauna, hot tub, cold beer and new, good friends- fellow kayakers.

Day 6: Kayaking/Overnight Trip
Classes in April, May & June will do a regular river day. Classes in July, August & September get ready for their overnight, raft supported river trip. Everyone on this trip will pack a dry bag with their sleeping kit and enough clothes for overnight. We put in up river on the Klamath, and kayak to Rock Creek, a pristine sandy beach. By the time you get here, the raft guide is there setting up for dinner and the evening. The late afternoon is spent skipping rocks, swimming, walking up Rock Creek trying to spy some Salmon going up. If you're lucky, you might spot a bear on the other side of the river looking for dinner. A delicious dinner is served and river stories are abundant.

Day 7: Kayaking and Good-Byes
For the classes on the overnight, this day is thier 'graduation' day. You will be going through some class 3 rapids, and hopefully rolling up in the rapids. For other groups we do a regular river run. We're out of the water by mid-day. After lunch, we get the airport group down to the coast for their flights by 4PM. Everyone else ususally has their car near by, and they leave from the river. A roster is passed out for those who want to contact each other again. Good-byes are said, and future plans made on the spot. Many groups come back to Otter Bar together again, year after year.