ADK Novice/Intermediate Whitewater Kayak Instruction

Intermediate/Novice whitewater instruction for kayakers will be offered on June 13 thru 14 by the Albany-Schenectady chapter of ADK. This two-day clinic is designed for boaters who have had some previous experience but still need more work to perfect the basic strokes and maneuvers. Students should have paddled class 1 or 2 whitewater five or more times and be able to perform eddy turns, peelouts, and ferries on class 1 water. They should be able to paddle in a straight line, identify river features including eddies, waves, and holes, and self-rescue in class 1 and 2 water. Kayakers should have or be working on a roll and must be comfortable with wet exits.

We will start on flat water to refine paddling techniques as well as rolls. On the river we will work on performing crisp reliable eddy turns, peel-outs, angle control on ferries, and gaining overall experience. Instruction will start at 8:00 a.m. at a location to be determined later (most likely Fife Brook section of the Deerfield River in western MA.) and be over each day by late afternoon. Students must provide their own equipment including the boat.

Cost for the two days of instruction is $40. For more information contact instructor Sally Dewes, the coordinator. Last day to sign-up is Saturday June 6.

Link to ADK posting: Novice/Intermediate Whitewater Kayak Instruction, Saturday, June 13 – Sunday, June 14, 2026 – Chapter Outings – Albany-Schenectady Chapter ADK