Intro to kayaking (Beginners)

This 8 week course is suitable for beginners aged 8-14 who want to learn to kayak. We start on flatwater and progress to whitewater kayaking and slalom racing, with a fun community slalom race at the end of the program. Paddling slalom gates is a great way to improve paddling skills in a safe environment and it’s lots of fun.

Schedule group B
Friday September 6/13/20/27th at Cultus Lake
Saturday October 5 & 19th 11.30am-12.30pm at Cedarwal Farms slalom gates
Saturday October 12th River Skills 11am-1pm
Saturday October 26th Mamquam Race Day Festival - a fun community slalom event on the Mamquam River (Squamish). Registration for this event is included in the course fee (transport to-from the event is NOT included)

All equipment provided (kayak, paddle, helmet, PFD, sprayskirt)

Safety is our #1 priority - there will be a maximum student: instructor ratio of 5:1 on the river. All river paddles are weather and water-level dependent.

Club membership required: $20. Course fee $150. Please arrive 5-10 minutes early and ready to paddle.

PARKING at Cultus:
We are able to park 3 cars for free for 2 hours right in front of the boathouse on the gravel. The parking lot around the boat house is for-fee and regularly patrolled. There is free parking around the strip mall on the opposite side of the street ("Plaza Parking" see https://www.cultuslake.bc.ca/parking/)

WHAT TO WEAR:
YOU WILL GET WET!! Please check the forecast & dress for the weather. NO COTTON!! There are change rooms & washrooms at Cultus Lake but not at Cedarwal Farms

Bathing suit or swim shorts
Towel
Shoes that can get wet and stay on your feet (no flipflops or crocs)
Extra dry clothes
** If you have a wetsuit, or neoprene clothing, this will be perfect for the river or for cold weather days!*

For a sunny & warm day:
A synthetic long sleeve or light windproof layer in case you get cold when wet
If you need to wear sunglasses they should have a tether or strap.

For a wet/ cold day:
Thin thermal base layer
+/- fleece if very cold
Rain jacket/ windproof layer (we do have some splash tops at the Boathouse at Cultus)
Wool socks will stay warm when wet