Diversify Whitewater Beginner Kayak Clinic - ACA

Upcoming Events

07.08.23 – 07.08.23

Diversify Whitewater Beginner Kayak Clinic

Zoar Outdoor Adventure Resort, Main Street, Charlemont, MA, USA

Diversify Whitewater Beginner Kayak Clinic: Saturday, July 8, 2023

Application OPEN until Monday, June 19, 2023 at 12:00pm ET. Apply here today.

Join us for a Diversify Whitewater Beginner Kayak Clinic on the Deerfield River in Charlemont, MA on Saturday, July 8 from 9:00am – 4:30pm ET. Participants will learn the basics of water safety and whitewater kayak paddling techniques then enjoy a day paddling down the Deerfield River. No experience or equipment is necessary to participate. We will meet at Zoar Outdoor in Charlemont, MA at 9am. After introducing you to the sport of kayaking and to your equipment, we get our first taste of paddling on flatwater in a pond or reservoir. We start by teaching you to efficiently and effectively exit the kayak when upside down. Then we move on to learning basic strokes, including sweep strokes, forward strokes, and stability while paddling on edge. Once everyone is comfortable in their boats, we head to moving water where we introduce river maneuvers such as the eddy turn, peel out, and ferry. The day progresses into your first taste of whitewater rapids, often paddling in class I-II whitewater.

A picnic lunch will be provided for participants during the clinic. The mission of Diversify Whitewater (DW) is to promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in paddlesports by removing the barriers that exist for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), and Allies in kayaking, canoeing, rafting, and stand up paddling by holding free community paddling events. All eligible participants will receive a full scholarship for the course of the clinic (a $215.00 value)!

Participants age 16 and up are welcome. You must complete an application to be eligible for one of the 12 fully funded participant spots for the Diversify Whitewater Beginner Kayak Clinic kayaking clinic. Applications open on Monday, May 8, 2023 at 12:00pm ET and close Monday, June 19, 2023 at 12:00pm ET. We will announce the 12 selected participants no later than Thursday, June 22. If you are a scholarship recipient registered for this event and cannot make your commitment, please call Zoar Outdoor (413-339-4010) as soon as possible so that we may open your spot to folks on the waitlist.

More Information

Contact Information
paddlesports@zoaroutdoor.com