If you wonder if whitewater kayaking is the sport for you, here is your chance.

This lesson will be an introduction to whitewater kayaking. This is not simply being led down the river, this is a lesson focusing on preparing you to safely navigate rivers, and start to organize your own trips.

Summary:
Date: August 2nd (8am-9pm)
Cost: $100 including transportation from Greensboro

Details:
1. To participate in this trip you have to have participated in at least one flatwater lesson with me, or a roll class with me. This can be scheduled for any weekday evening.

2. We will do this lesson on the Natahala River near Bryson City, NC. It is about 3.5 hours away from Greensboro. We can ride together from Kernersville, or meet at the river.

3. Equipment: You need to have your own helmet for this lesson. You can buy a helmet at Get Outdoors, or at the Natahala Outdoor Center when we get to the river. I will provide all other equipment/gear. The NOC has tons of choices in stock. Warm clothes that are not cotton are also important, fleece works well, and/or a wetsuit, dry top, splash jacket, etc. You can get stretchable fleece at an outdoor store, or polyester shirts at Walmart for $14. Stretchable fleece is very nice and warm, but can be expensive.

You can rent a wetsuit at NOC for $15 when we get there if you want. The weather will be warm (about 80), but the river water is cold (40 degrees).

I will provide an ACA Certified Instructor (me) and at least one assistant, kayaks, paddles, lifejackets, float bags, skirts, and probably a few funny pictures!

4. After this trip you will probably know whether you want to do whitewater paddling. The section of river we are doing is about 5 miles. It is mostly class II, with a bigger class III rapid at the end that you can try, or skip if you arent “feeling it”.

5. There will be a max of 6 participants on this trip.

6. Cost: $100

7. Feel free to review my qualifications under “Instruction” at http://www.piedmontlakesnc.com

8. To sign up for this, or to schedule a private lesson for $20 email Edgar at edgar@getoutdoors.us or yespe@aol.com

This is going to be FUN! This trip is a perfect intro, with something for everyone.

Feel free to ask questions.

Edgar Peck
ACA Whitewater Kayak Instructor

Every month Get Outdoors offers a Basic Kayaking class free for anyone buying a kayak.

Over the years there has not been as much interest in canoe classes. I believe that traditionally people who buy canoes have been canoeing for years and already have a good grasp of some of the basic skills necessary to navigate a canoe.

Many canoers have not received formal instruction. I think that learning some basic canoe strokes, or more advanced techniques for those with experience can improve your experience on the water. Over the summer I am offering the chance to take a 2 hour canoe class for FREE.

This class will vary based on the participants experience. Beginners can look forward to tips on how to load the canoe on the car without hurting themselves or their canoe, outfitting the canoe, and basic strokes. We will learn to move the canoe in different directions with a combination of bow draws, sweeps, stern draws, prys, rudders, and forward strokes.

More advanced paddlers can learn more difficult manuevers like the sideslip, boat over boat rescues, backferries, cross bow strokes, and sculling.

People who do not own a canoe can take a lesson for $20.

This class is taught on flat water in Kernersville, NC.

I look forward to seeing you on the water.

Edgar Peck
American Canoe Association Level 4 Instructor
yespe@aol.com