BWA and Vikings host a great spring paddling clinic

It’s been a damp spring down here in the Appalachian rain forest and all the local streams have been running at healthy levels.  Great conditions for whitewater lovers! They couldn’t have been much better for a first time event last weekend on the Russell Fork River.

Milling around Saturday morning...

200 beginning and experienced whitewater paddlers from all over Kentucky gathered in Elkhorn City for a unique whitewater paddling clinic May 13-15. The state’s two largest kayak/canoe clubs, the Bluegrass Wildwater Association and the Viking Canoe Club, sponsored their first shared clinic. It was also the first of BWA’s annual spring clinics to be held in Kentucky.

Over seventy students, from first timers to Class II/III intermediates, took part in a two day program overseen by ACA certified swiftwater rescue and paddling instructors. Nearly 100 volunteers made sure there was plenty of personal instruction, easy shuttles, and good food and entertainment at the Carson Island/Pine Mountain Trailhead base location.

Students spent 3-5 hours each day in their boats, learning basic skills and paddling river sections based on their abilities. Intermediate paddlers honed basic skills and tackled more advanced whitewater techniques, such as eddy hopping, peeling out in rushing water, and ledge boofing in select Class III rapids. Many students worked on rolling techniques…and some got first ever “combat” rolls (rolling in moving water). And there were a few who got a little swimming practice in.

It's all good!

I had the pleasure of helping out with the intermediate group with local paddling buddies Gerald Delong and Mark Blair. We first took them upstream to the upper Russell Fork, stopping at features to work on specific skills as we paddled downstream.  It’s great to see someone’s confidence grow before your eyes as they pick up the more subtle techniques you need to run more difficult whitewater. We got to see that from each one of our students.

There was nothing but smiles all weekend from the group. Early reviews point to a return next year, so keep your eyes and ears open.  You couldn’t find a better place or a better way to learn to kayak with great people.  For more information about clinics or either club:

Bluegrass Wildwater Association

Viking Canoe Club

Lots of Clinic pictures!

BWA students and instructors

Beginner's class at the put-in

Smiling Kyle

A kid's class all-star!

Steve Ruth

Eastern