All Paddling Schools are not created equally. Our staff are highly experienced, adult, ACA Certified Instructors whose primary responsibility is to educate our students in a supportive environment. We offer programs for all ages in whitewater, touring, and recreational paddling using the best equipment available. Customized programs are encouraged for privite groups ensuring you get exactly the focus you need and want. Many of our entry level programs are taught through your local recreation or community education departments offering unmatched convinience! If you live or work in East or Central Massachusetts, or the Upper Valley Region of Vermont/New Hampshire please contact us to find programs near you! There is simply no better place to advance your skills or be introduced to the life long sport of paddling.
For Youth specific Paddling Instruction Programs please see our "Youth Programs" page.
Instructor Courses
SRO sponsors and offers several ACA Instructor level courses each season.
Adaptive Paddling Workshop: Adaptive Paddling Workshop:The American Canoe Association (ACA) and Still River Outfitters (SRO) are actively committed to equal access to paddlesport and to the full integration of paddlers who have disabilities. Paddlers who have disabilities may need unique paddling information about adaptive equipment and resources.
Windsor VT August 14 – 17, 2008 $300 aliciaw@stillriveroutfitters.com
Whitewater Kayak (L-IV) IDW/ICE: This Instructor Development Workshop and Exam will prepare, and then certify, participants to conduct ACA Instruction in Flatwater through Class II whitewater. Participants may not pass this level of certification and may qualify asa an instructor at a lower level.
Windsor VT August 2008 dates TBD, 2008 $TBD david@stillriveroutfitters.com
Kayak Instruction
QuickStart Your Kayak: QuickStart is a brief, three-hour introduction to paddling a kayak. Students are presented with basic information on dressing to paddle safely, potential hazards and simple rescues. A minimal paddle skill set is presented and practiced, allowing students to safely and comfortably maneuver on still water. While designed as a stand-alone, introductory course, QuickStart students often progress to the Introduction to Kayak course to acquire greater paddling skill through significantly more guided, on-water practice time.
Northampton MA – Hampshire Regional YMCA Pool April 13, 2008 5:00 – 7:00 $35 aliciaw@stillriveroutfitters.com
Windsor VT May 3, 2008 9:00 – 12:00 $60 info@stillriveroutfitters.com
Windsor VT May 3, 2008 1:00 – 4:00 $60 info@stillriveroutfitters.com
Windsor VT June 7, 2008 9:00 – 12:00 $60 info@stillriveroutfitters.com
Windsor VT June 7, 2008 1:00 – 4:00 $60 info@stillriveroutfitters.com
Windsor VT July 11, 2008 2:00 – 5:00 $60 info@stillriveroutfitters.com
Windsor VT August 8, 2008 2:00 – 5:00 $60 info@stillriveroutfitters.com
Introduction to Kayaking: (Level I) Introduction to Kayaking is a six-hour course focusing on skills needed for any type of kayak including but not limited to sit on tops, recreational, folding and inflatable. Presentations include dressing to paddle safely and potential paddling hazards. Simple rescues are demonstrated by the instructor combined with the paddling skills practiced by students to maneuver safely and comfortably on still water. Designed as a stand-alone course, students desiring more intensive skills would proceed to Level 2 or 3 courses to continue the learning and refinement process, as one progesses forward, the track to follows depends on interest and kayak type.
This program runs through sponsoring recreation and community education departments. Please contact us to find the class near you! info@stillriveroutfitters.com
Mommy/Daddy and Me Kayaking: This class was designed by SRO owner Karen Cudmore to keep adults with a new family active in the outdoors. Basic Kayak skills from "Quickstart Your Kayak" are blended with our proven strategies of dealing with you toddler in the boat with you so that your paddling together is a fun and rewarding experience.
This program run through sponsoring recreation and community education departments. Please contact us to find the class near you! info@stillriveroutfitters.com
Forward Stroke Clinics: The forward stoke is the stroke we use the most and practice the least. Ditch those bad habits and learn how to paddle more efficiently to reduce fatique on long paddles and add power to those "must make" moves. This 2-hour class will cover the touring and wing paddle technique utilizing on the water practice blended with video review of your progress.
If you want to learn an efficient and effective forward stroke learn from a racer! That’s just what we have. Mark Wendolowski designed this course and is an SRO Instructor, Team SRO Member and the 2007 NECKRA Downriver Champion.
Athol MA June 26, 2008 6:00 – 8:00pm $65 info@stillriveroutfitters.com
Littleton MA July 10, 2008 6:00 – 8:00pm $65 info@stillriveroutfitters.com
Windsor VT August 15, 2008 2:00 – 4:00pm $65 info@stillriveroutfitters.com
TBD August 21, 2008 6:00 – 8:00pm $65 info@stillriveroutfitters.com
Touring/Coastal Kayak
Introduction to Kayak (Level I) is a prerequisit for the programs below.
Essentials of Kayak Touring (Level II) is an eight-hour course focused on helping the student learn to travel safely and efficiently by kayak of the types designated as sit on top, folding, inflatable and "recreational." There is more emphasis on practicing a simple rescue sequence, understanding the very basics of tides and currents, use of a compass (safety bearing), rules for paddling in channels with and without boat traffic, use of VHF radio and weather radio and other emergency equipment. The graduates should stay within swimming distance of shore in areas with no conditions such as wind, waves, or current.
Coastal Kayak Basic Strokes & Rescues (Level III) is an eight-hour course focused on helping the student learn to travel safely and efficiently by kayak of the type designated as a sea kayak with bulkheads or flotation. There is more emphasis on self-rescue and assisted-rescue techniques and the stability strokes are introduced. Also, Rules of the Navigable Road, tides and currents, wind and waves, emergency equipment, use of VHF radios and weather radios, understanding charts and basic use of a compass are covered in more depth. Graduates should be capable of paddling up to half mile off shore with mild conditions such as light and variable winds, up to one foot of wind chop, and current speeds up to 1 knot.
River Kayak
Introduction to Kayak (Level I) is a prerequisit for the programs below.
Essentials of River Kayaking: (Level 2 ) is designed to give the student the necessary tools needed to travel down a moving river (up to Class I) from point A to point B. They will be presented with information on river hazards and features, strokes and basic skills such as catching a large eddy, doing a gentle ferry, Great for camps, groups or individuals that want to do day trips down easy moving water rivers up to Class I. Designed as a stand-alone course, students desiring more intensive skills would proceed to the ACA Whitewater Kayaking course, depending on interest and hull type.
Basic River Kayaking: (Level 3) is designed to build on the tools needed to travel down a moving river (up to Class I) presented in teh Essentials course, including more emphasis on safety & rescue in class I rivers. Designed as a stand-alone course, students desiring more intensive skills would proceed to the ACA Whitewater Kayaking course, depending on interest and hull type.
Whitewater Kayaking: (Level 4) The ACA Whitewater Kayak Course is a two-day (16 hour) program emphasizing safety, enjoyment and skill acquisition for entry-level through intermediate individuals in public, private and commercial settings. Instruction takes place on flatwater and rivers up to Class II whitewater. Designed as a stand-alone course, students desiring more intensive skills development would proceed to Advanced Whitewater Kayak, depending on interest and ability.
Advanced Whiteweater Kayaking: (Level 5) is designed to refine and extend the judgment and technique of intermediate paddlers on class III to IV whitewater. This course is not to be taught on water of greater difficulty than class IV. Participants will be introduced to advanced techniques including boat control, playboating and river running as appropriate to the site. This course will use on-the-water scenarios to assess risk, evaluate rapid features and complexities, develop strategies, and nurture good judgment. Course will emphasize use of proactive, aggressive rescue skills stressing self reliance. This course should only be taken by those with a reliable river roll and self rescue skills. Completion of a whitewater course and proficiency and experience in executing all strokes, maneuvers and techniques needed for paddling on class III whitewater and a reliable roll and the ability to aggressively self rescue are required prerequisites. Additional participation in a Swiftwater rescue course is strongly recommended.
Kayak Rolling
Kayak Rolling is course that is designed to by used with river and sea kayak hard shell, closed-deck designs. Students will learn the fundamental components of the roll and improve their bracing skills.
Sudbury MA Atkinson Pool Monday March 17, 2008 6:00 – 9:00pm Rolling Class $75 info@stillriveroutfitters.com
Sudbury MA Atkinson Pool Monday March 17, 2008 6:00 – 9:00pm Rolling Practice $10
Sudbury MA Atkinson Pool Monday April 14, 2008 6:00 – 9:00pm Rolling Class $75 info@stillriveroutfitters.com
Sudbury MA Atkinson Pool Monday April 14, 2008 6:00 – 9:00pm Rolling Practice $10
Windsor Vermont June 27, 2008 2:00 – 5:00pm info@stillriveroutfitters.com
Windsor Vermont July 25, 2008 2:00 – 5:00pm info@stillriveroutfitters.com
Windsor Vermont August 22, 2008 2:00 – 5:00pm info@stillriveroutfitters.com
Canoe Instruction
QuickStart Your Canoe is a brief, three-hour introduction to paddling a canoe. Students are presented with basic information on boat control, paddling apparel, potential hazards and simple rescues. An entry level of paddling skills is presented and practiced, allowing students to safely and effectively maneuver on flat-water. While designed as stand-alone courses, the interested paddler can progress to more advanced levels of instruction, progressing to the Introduction or Essential levels of courses. These subsequent courses offer greater paddling skill development through additional guided, on-water practice time.
No programs scheduled at this time. Please call for details.
Introduction to Canoeing (Level I) is a six-hour course focusing on the basic canoe skills for the solo and/or tandem canoeist. Students are presented with basic information on boat control, paddling apparel, potential hazards and simple rescues. An entry level of paddling skills is presented and practiced, allowing students to safely and effectively maneuver on flat-water. If a paddler decides to move above the Introductory level, the successive courses are divided into two categories: Touring Canoe & River Canoe.
This program runs through sponsoring recreation and community education departments. Please contact us to find the class near you! info@stillriveroutfitters.com
Essentials of Canoeing: (Level 2) – A one day course* that adds to the knowledge and skills of Level 1 and includes strokes for going backwards, side slips, tight turns, braces, and heeling. There is more emphasis on stroke and paddle mechanics than in the previous courses. Besides corrective forward strokes, traveling backwards under control, there are more in depth rescues, how to travel safely, winds and waves management. The participant is assuming a significant commitment to the sport. Taught on flat water to gentle moving rivers, with mild currents. Venue is such as that flat water rescues and skills could be used.
Moving Water Canoeing: (Level 3) – A one day course, for the participant who has taken the Level 2 – Essentials to Canoeing Course, and wants to apply those skills to moving water (up to and including Class I). Participants may paddle a recreational canoe or WW canoe in the sitting or kneeling position. The focus is on learning about river features and hazards, how to handle capsizes on the river, more advanced rescues, how to do eddy turns and ferries, how to scout, keys to good judgment, clothing and much more.
Whitewater Canoeing: (Level 4) – A one day course, for the paddler who has taken the Level 3 – Moving Water Canoe Course and wishes to apply those skills to white water rivers up to and including Class II. Participants learn to do tighter eddy turns, stronger ferries and go into more depth on river reading and skills, rescues, in a whitewater environment. The participants will more than likely be paddling WW canoes with thigh straps and the focus will be on "play" or "working" the river versus just going from point A to point B. There is a heavy focus safety and rescue and well as doing much more technical and tighter turns and greater precision of maneuvers and strokes.
Safety and Rescue
Safety, Rescue, & Re-entry for Recreational and Touring Kayaks: This course was designed to fill in the gaps between no rescue training and training geared towards sea kayaks. In this programs we will work through several self and assisted rescues suitable for recreational, transitional touring, and touring kayaks. We will work with each student to find the best ways for them to execute a rescue.
Sudbury MA Atkinson Pool Monday March 31, 2008 6:00 – 9:00pm $110 info@stillriveroutfitters.com
Flatwater Kayak Safety and Rescue: (Level 2) introduces essential flatwater safety practices and rescue techniques that can be performed with a minimum of equipment, in the first few minutes of an emergency.
Essentials of River Safety and Rescue: (Level 3) teaches recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques, and simple rescues of paddlers in distress. Emphasis is placed both on personal safety and on simple, commonly used skills. Fundamental techniques for dealing with hazards that carry greater risks for both victim and rescuer, such as entrapments, and pins, also are taught. This course is aimed primarily at new boaters, or boaters who do not anticipate paddling in whitewater.
Windsor VT May 17, 2008 9:00 – 4:00 $100 info@stillriveroutfitters.com
Swiftwater Rescue: (Level 4) teaches recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques, and rescue techniques for paddlers in distress. Emphasis is placed both on personal safety and on simple, commonly used skills. Techniques for dealing with hazards that carry greater risks for both victim and rescuer, such as strainers, rescue vest applications, entrapments, and pins, also are practiced. Scenarios will provide an opportunity for participants to practice their skills both individually and within a team/group context.
Windsor VT May 17 & 18 9:00 – 4:00 $180 info@stillriveroutfitters.com
Custom Clinics
Sometimes you just want something specific to your needs and the skills you want to learn. We’re happy to accomodate you! Just give us a call and we’ll discuss and design the right program for you.
$75/hour Minimum 2 hours and a Maximum of 3 students