Whitewater kayaking is Canada's fastest growing recreational sport. It's active, challenging, fun and exciting... all rolled into one! Esprit is offering level 1 (beginner) and 2 (intermediate) courses accredited by both WO (provincial) and the CRCA (national) organizations. Courses run in length from 2-days to 5-days, specialty camps for women, youth and kids as well as advanced rodeo clinics are all being offered this season. All courses include your paddling equipment (kayak, skirt, paddle, lifejacket, helmet and wetsuit), certified kayak instructors, river transportation and video analysis. Courses are based out of "The Pointe" - Esprit's riverside lodge on the banks of the Ottawa River. Ideally located to access the Ottawa, Petawawa and Coulonge Rivers, all courses take advantage of the variety of whitewater available to provide the best paddling experience possible.
Esprit offers Canada's first and only "Learn to Kayak Guarantee". Our efforts to provide you with world class, quality instruction is not only our commitment to you, we guarantee it! At the end of your course if you do not feel 100% confident that you have successfully achieved the skills set out by the course - you can repeat the program at no charge.
For those looking for the adventure of a life time, Esprit is offering winter paddling trips to Mexico. Whether it's your first time sitting in a kayak or your an experienced class V paddler, Esprit offers an itinerary for you!
WHITEWATER KAYAKING COURSES
PROGRAM
2008 COURSE DATES
COST
Classic Kayak Clinic - 2 Day
Courses available every weekend (Saturday/Sunday) from May 1st until September 30th
$250
This 2-Day intro to whitewater kayaking is the perfect weekend getaway for anyone looking for a fun, active and challenging adventure! The 2-day format offers beginner paddlers the opportunity to discover the fundamental strokes and maneuvers of whitewater kayaking starting in a flat water environment and progressing into class I-II moving water.
Beginner Immersion Course - 5 Day
Courses available Monday-Friday from May 1st until September 30th
$625
Featuring fun, expert instruction with a strong emphasis on safety, Esprit's beginner immersion courses are an in depth "submersion" into the fundamentals of whitewater kayaking. The "Immersion" course combines flat water and moving water, giving you the opportunity to develop and fine tune the skills that will bring you success in whitewater. On the river, courses concentrate on developing your ability to read whitewater, practicing and refining your paddling skills as well as designing river running strategies. From the start, Esprit's instructors will work together with you to achieve your personal goals in a fun, challenging environment.
Intermediate Technical Skills Clinic - 3 Day
May 17-19 (High Water Clinic), June 28-30, Aug. 2-4, Aug. 30 - Sept. 1
$375
Going beyond the basic fundamentals of kayaking, utilizing more advanced river running strategies and developing effective techniques for play boating on waves and in holes... from day one, you will be on the river perfecting your paddling technique and bomb proofing your Eskimo roll. Esprit's expert instructors will help you to take your paddling ability to new levels.
Intermediate Week of Rivers - 5 Day
June 16-20 (featuring the Kipawa River), July 21-25 (featuring the Gatineau River) August 18-22 (featuring the Gatineau River)
$625
Perfect your technique while discovering the rivers of Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec. The Intermediate Week of Rivers program focuses on skill development within a river running environment. Multiple rivers equals multiple opportunities to develop advanced river running strategies and to gain confidence as an independent boater. Rivers include (water levels co-operating) both the Middle and Main Channels of the Ottawa, Petawawa,Madawaska, Kipawa, Gatineau and the Rouge.
INSTRUCTOR COURSES
W.O. Level 1 Instructors
May 17-18, May 31 (recert day)
$175
Whitewater Ontario (WO) is the provincial certification body for kayak instructors in Ontario. The Level One instructors course is a 2 day course designed to equip new instructors with the necessary skills to effectively and safely teach flat water to class II moving water. Successful candidates receive their WO Level One instructors card and can certify students as Proficiency Level A WO kayakers.
W.O. Level 2 Instructors
May 24-25
$175
The WO Level Two Instructors course is designed for instructors teaching in a class II-III whitewater environment. This 2 day course emphasizes instructional techniques to minimize the existing risk of teaching in moving water. Successful candidates receive their WO Level Two instructors card and can certify students as Proficiency B & C - WO kayakers. The level One Instructors course is a pre-requisite.
KAYAKING PROGRAMS FOR WOMEN
Discover the thrill of whitewater kayaking in the company of women! Taught for women... by women, Esprit's 2-Day and 5-Day Women's whitewater kayaking programs are the perfect blend of technical skill development with experiential learning, self-confidence building and inner strength development. Esprit's top female instructors will take you beyond the basics by focusing on essential flat water strokes and maneuvers, mastering the ever-essential kayak roll and building confidence in running class I-II whitewater. Developing effective river running strategies by recognizing and understanding river features is an important element in your success on whitewater which will be emphasized throughout your program. Group safety and essential river rescue techniques are also a key component in all Esprit kayaking programs.
Join one of Esprit's Women kayaking programs this summer and challenge yourself to an incredible journey of self-discovery in the encouraging environment of other women!
PROGRAM
2008 COURSE DATES
COST
Women's Kayak Week - 5 Day Beginner
June 23-27, August 4-8
$625
A kayak week specially designed for women, this 5 day beginner level course emphasizes the core development of whitewater kayaking skills in a relaxed, supportive environment. Following the format of Esprit's "Beginner Immersion" course, the "Women's Kayak Week" is taught by Esprit's dynamic, WO and CRCA certified female instructors.
Women's Classic Kayak Clinic - 2 Day
June 7-8, July 12-13, August 16-17
$250
This 2-Day intro to whitewater kayaking is the perfect weekend getaway for women looking for a fun, active and challenging adventure! The 2-day format offers women the opportunity to discover the fundamental strokes and maneuvers of whitewater kayaking starting in a flat water environment and progressing into class I-II moving water.
Youth Kayak Week
Esprit's Kayak Week is the perfect summer escape for youth. Taught by our highly energetic, enthusiastic and creative instructors, this 5-day kayaking adventure will challenge you to develop the fundamental skills of whitewater kayaking in a fun and supportive environment. The kayak week begins on flat water with the important strokes and techniques needed for success in moving water. Skills are acquired through active participation in games and activities which promote technique development and maintain a high level of enthusiasm. Moving from flat water to the whitewater environment, you will be taught essential river safety skills which will be a valuable asset to you for the rest of your paddling life! Learn effective river running strategies and develop a keen understanding of moving water... all the while having an awesome time challenging class I-II rapids. Evenings are spent enjoying paddling videos, working on perfecting your kayak roll, learning about environmental stewardship through the "Leave No Trace" outdoor ethics program... and lounging around the campfire! A "reasonable" curfew is in place to insure everyone is paddling at full strength each day and camping accommodation is provided in Esprit's platform tents (shared basis with a fellow participant). Suitable for ages 12-16.
2008 Dates: July 7-11 and August 25-29
Cost: $800 (Includes all meals, camping accommodation, equipment and instruction)
OUTFITTING SERVICES (Note: Equipment Rental is Included in all Instructional Courses)
Kayaking Rental - $30/day includes: Kayak only Equipment Package - $20/day includes: skirt, lifejacket, helmet, paddle Shuttles (free for kayakers, space permitting) on Esprit's river trips.
ACCOMODATION
Camping - $10/night Hostel - $25/night
MEALS
Breakfast - $8 Lunch - $12 Dinner - $25
MEXICO KAYAKING PROGRAMS
MEXICO WEEK OF RIVERS
For whitewater rafting/kayaking enthusiasts, the Mexico Week of Rivers program offers an action packed exploration of Mexico’s finest rivers. Situated on the banks of the Antigua River, the small rural village of Jalcomulco, Veracruz, is our gateway to over 100km of continuous whitewater. The spectacular Barranca-Grande and Pescados sections of this river offer remote, steep and technical whitewater, imposing canyon walls and lush tropical greenery. Our final river is the Actopan. Test your vertical limits by launching yourself over this river’s 7 m waterfall! Challenging, active, fun and adventurous… the Mexico Week of Rivers makes for an awesome winter "whitewater" escape. For a detailed trip itinerary visit theMexico Week of Rivers page under Esprit's Adventure Travel section.
*Kayakers should be of intermediate skill level with a confident whitewater roll. All programs are raft supported. Paddlers have the option of switching into the raft at any point in the trip.
