2010 Classes & Clinics!

Introduction to Canoeing

is not offered by PTCC.  

One local source for Novice canoeing classes is Seattle Parks & Recreation through the Green Lake Small Craft Center on the south end of Green Lake.  The class covers basic canoe strokes, gear selection, safety issues.  PTCC member Michael McLean still teaches when his schedule allows.  Children need to be at least 10 years old and accompanied by an adult.  All equipment is provided.  Classes need to have at  least 3 people registered before the start date or the class is cancelled.  to see the Spring Class Schedule: go to http://www.scn.org/rec/sckc/classes.htm                

Moving Water – 101  Registration for Intro to Moving Water Due July 4                                                               
This class is oriented towards canoeists that want to learn how to venture out on our beautiful rivers safely and confidently.  It is designed for solo or tandem canoeists that have already developed basic lake paddling skills.  Free for PTCC Club members
Introduction to Moving Water Class Sat / Sun July 24th 25th

Moving Water 101 Sign up Form 2010

Whitewater 101 – Introduction to Whitewater Canoeing                     WW 101 Class are Wed evening April 21 and Saturday April 24
This class is oriented towards solo and tandem canoeists who are interested in becoming better at paddling easy rapids (class II) safely.  You will learn the basics of reading water and basic whitewater paddling techniques.  The first session, Wednesday evening, will be on a lake and Saturday will be spent on a river.

You should already have some experience paddling your canoe in current and be comfortable doing so.  Your canoe must be designed to handle easy whitewater and needs to be outfitted with bow and stern flotation.   Most of your paddling will be from the kneeling position so you must have kneepads.  You must wear an acceptable helmet while on the river.  Wetsuits and thigh straps are recommended.

To register, contact Michael McLean at 206-323-2476 or memc51@hotmail.com.  A registration form is included in this newsletter and is also on the PTCC website.  Course fees:  $30 solo or $50 Tandem.  All class participants must be current PTCC members.  Non-members can take the course after joining PTCC.  

101 Sign up form 2010

Free Clinics to Replace WW 201
Whitewater 201 – Introduction to Whitewater Playboating was a course taught in past years as a follow-up to Whitewater 101 to teach paddlers to play more aggressively in rapids, not just paddle through them.  Dave Mainer developed the idea that PTCC should try replacing the Whitewater 201 class this year with a series of one day or evening lake clinics and will instruct.  In Dave’s words:

Here's how it will work.  Rather than the club organizing a class and charging a fee, you will be responsible for organizing whatever clinics you want.  As a clinic "coordinator":

·         You decide what one or two specific paddling skills you want to work on.

o        This must be a specific whitewater skill such as bracing, forward stroke, eddy turns, peel outs, surfing, river reading etc. 

o        They must be specific - "Paddling whitewater better", "paddling solo", "paddling a C-1" are NOT skill improvements I will accept but you may certainly organize a clinic to work on specific skills in those boat types.

·         You get at least two other paddlers who want training in the same skills.

o        3 boat minimum - 5 max (you may decide if mixing of solo and tandem is ok)

o        Each participant must be a PTCC member 

o        Each participant must be at a similar skill level and have appropriate equipment

·         You call me and we schedule a mutually agreeable date.  I'm not making any guarantees that I will be available or there will be appropriate river conditions available for when you want to have the clinic but I will try to accommodate you the best I can. 

·         I reserve the right not to teach the clinic you request based on my own availability and knowledge. For instance, if you ask me to teach a clinic on loading canoes for arctic river touring, I will refer you to someone who can.

Contact Dave if you want to coordinate a clinic.

Take a Beginner Whitewater Canoeing     FREE

Grab a friend and join us for Take a Beginner Whitewater Paddling  July 17th

Take a beginner 2005 photos

Take a Beginner 2006 photos

Take a Beginner 2007 photos

Time to bring some friends out and introduce them to the wonderful sport of whitewater canoeing. Last year I had to cancel this trip because I didn’t have any beginners sign up. I had support but no beginners. This is an outreach event rather than a training event.  The goal of this trip is to get some new people hooked on whitewater paddling by matching them up with experienced whitewater paddlers for an exciting float down the Class II+ stretch of the Upper Skykomish.  We need lots of support from experienced paddlers on this trip both as tandem partners and safety support.  If you have gear to loan that would also be a big help. This trip will require lots of preplanning for matching partners so call early!  Pat Maxwell 206 784-8966. Guests must be adventurous, in moderate to good physical condition and have moderate to strong swimming ability.  If there isn't enough water in the Upper Skykomish we will most likely do the High Bridge to Sultan section.

River Rescue Clinic        FREE   

  Sorry this clinic will not be offered this year.

Date              Saturday                           July 
(pinned boats, z-drags...) separate from safety clinic 
 More information details will be posted later this summer! 

Safety Clinic (every canoeist should take this Clinic)  FREE

Last Modified 03/17/2010
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