2025 Training Class Schedule
Ever gone out for a nice day of tandem paddling only to have it result in months of couples’ therapy? Gone up a creek without a paddle? Have a trip scheduled on the Bowron Lakes but you’re afraid that your skills have gotten a little rusty?
Whether you are new to canoeing, are interested in paddling more confidently in rivers or are an experienced whitewater paddler who wants to learn how to “style” your way through rapids, Paddle Trails Canoe Club has great learning opportunities.
We offer a great set of courses for paddlers of almost all interests and abilities. We have excellent member-instructors who will focus on safety, helping you learn, and most importantly making sure you have a great time on the water. Children 12 and older accompanied by an adult are welcome if they are taking the class as a paddler.
Need more info? Contact the club training coordinators at training@paddletrails.org.
If there is demand for additional sessions of the classes below or you have thoughts about other types of classes you like to see, please contact our training coordinators
Trip Coordinator Training - On-line: Wednesday evening - March 5, 7:00pm (and by demand).
Getting out on the water in our boats is the heart and soul of why Paddle Trails Canoe Club exists. Do you want to get your favorite river on the club trip schedule? As a trip coordinator of Paddle Trails Canoe Club, you can be sure you have a chance to paddle those sections with friends in the club.
This 60 - 90 minute training will fill you in on what a trip coordinator does to pull off a successful club trip; everything from adding a trip to the Club Calendar, to handling registrations to managing the on water experience to writing a trip report. There will be several experienced trip coordinators who can help answer all your questions about what it takes to be a successful trip coordinator.
Virtual Training on Zoom. Training was recorded - email training@paddletrails.org for link.
Difficulty: N/A
Cost: No charge
To Register or for more information:
Trip Coordinator Training - On-line - 3/5/2025
Whitewater Playboating for Canoeists: May 10, 2025
Do you feel pretty comfortable paddling Class II and II+ rivers and you are interested in advancing to the next level of fun? We will tailor this class to participants goals and abilities, but the general focus will be to up your skills in a whitewater canoe. Catching waves for surfing can be puzzling and frustrating and so we'll also analyze wave types and scenarios and show you how to approach each type. We'll cover techniques for basic surfing as well as side-surfing and spinning in holes. This class is appropriate for both solo and tandem whitewater canoeists.
Difficulty: Class II+
Cost: $50 per boat (solo or tandem)
Prerequisites:
* Comfortable paddling class II, II+.
* Comfortable catching small eddies.
* Reasonably comfortable with offside strokes.
* Able to swim 25 yards
* Canoe designed for whitewater paddling with full flotation.
* Drysuit, helmet, PFD
Capacity: 6 boats
Contact the club training coordinators at training@paddletrails.org if have questions or you need to borrow equipment.
For More Information or to Register: Whitewater Play Boating
Fine Tuning Your Canoe Stroke for Speed and Efficiency: May 22, 2025
In this workshop, we'll focus on increasing the efficiency and speed of our flatwater strokes, whether for a citizen-class canoe race or a camping trip in the BWCA. Or just to stop exhausting ourselves weaving across Green Lake. The emphasis will be on practicing stroke styles from marathon canoeing: short, vertical, with a crisp entry and minimal stern correction, swapping sides fluidly and in sync with a partner. Depending on interest we can spend time on issues like trimming the boat, paddling in wind, differences between paddling with bent and straight shafts, dealing with mismatched partners, and efficient turns. And we'll keep it fun with some informal contests.
This day is targeted at tandem canoes, and solo canoes that can be paddled sitting in center and swapping stroke side easily - not high-rocker solo whitewater canoes or wide solo canoes meant to be paddled kneeling on one side. If you can find a bent-shaft paddle and Wenonah-style canoe, great!, but not necessary.
Contact the club training coordinators at training@paddletrails.org if have questions or you need to borrow equipment.
FREE!
For More Information or to Register: Fine Tuning Your Canoe Stroke for Speed and Efficiency
Fundamentals of Solo Canoeing Class II Whitewater: June 14 -15
In this two day course, continue to practice whitewater skills while learning how to safely navigate obstacles and maneuver efficiently and effectively through a dynamic environment. You will learn more advanced skills and paddling techniques as well as individual and group strategies for navigating rapids. Students need to have boats that are designed and equipped for whitewater. Wetsuit or drysuit and other whitewater gear required.
Contact the club training coordinators at training@paddletrails.org if have questions or you need to borrow equipment.
Difficulty: Class II (II+)
Cost: $75.00 per boat
Prerequisites:
* Comfortable paddling Class I rivers
* Able to swim 25 yards
* Canoe designed for whitewater paddling with full flotation.
* Drysuit, helmet, PFD
Capacity: 6 boats
Contact the club training coordinators at training@paddletrails.org if have questions or you need to borrow equipment.
For More Information or to Register: Introduction to Solo Canoeing Class II Whitewater
Fundamentals of Tandem Canoeing Class II Whitewater: June 21 - 22
In this two-day course, continue to practice whitewater skills while learning how to safely navigate obstacles and maneuver efficiently and effectively through a dynamic environment. You will learn more advanced skills and paddling techniques as well as individual and group strategies for navigating rapids. Students need to have boats that are designed and equipped for whitewater. Wetsuit or drysuit and other whitewater gear required.
Contact the club training coordinators at training@paddletrails.org if have questions or you need to borrow equipment.
Difficulty: Class II (II+)
Cost: $75.00 per boat
Prerequisites:
* Comfortable paddling Class I rivers
* Able to swim 25 yards
* Canoe designed for whitewater paddling with full flotation.
* Drysuit, helmet, PFD
Capacity: 6 boats
Contact the club training coordinators at training@paddletrails.org if have questions or you need to borrow equipment.
For More Information or to Register: Introduction to Tandem Canoeing Class II Whitewater
Canoeing Lakes: June 28
Want to learn the Canadian Stroke? You don’t have to be Canadian to learn and practice this important stroke. The Introduction to Canoeing Lakes on June 28 has been expanded with the addition of two teachers, Ned and Erich Volkstorf. With hundreds of miles of expedition canoeing between them, Ned and Erich will touch on canoeing techniques they use to make long distance canoeing on lakes and rivers efficient and easy.
Beyond the Canadian stroke, they’ll cover things like running prys and the lesser known, Omering.
These strokes and techniques aren’t exclusively for flatwater and can be used on whitewater as well.
Class will be held dependent on number of sign ups and will be held at a local lake near Puget Sound
.
Contact the club training coordinators at training@paddletrails.org if have questions or you need to borrow equipment.
For More Information or to Register: Introduction to Canoeing Lakes
Introduction to Canoeing Class I Rivers: July 12 - 13
In this two day canoeing course, come learn about how moving water affects your boat. This is pre-whitewater, so we are covering some of the basics: entering and exiting current, paddle strokes, and being an active group member. Students must have PFDs, helmets and canoes suitable for river use. A wetsuit or drysuit is recommended, as water temperatures are still chilly. Students should be available for both Saturday and Sunday sessions to be able to get value out of the class. Canoes must be suitable for easy rivers and have flotation.
The Saturday class will be from 9:00 - 5:00 and Sunday will be from 10:00 - 4:00.
Contact the club training coordinators at training@paddletrails.org if have questions or you need to borrow equipment.
Difficulty: Class I (II)
Cost: $75.00 per boat
Prerequisites:
* Comfortable paddling and maneuvering a canoe on lakes
* Able to swim 25 yards
* Canoe designed for whitewater paddling with some flotation.
* Suggested Wetsuit or Drysuit, helmet, PFD
Capacity: 8 boats
Contact the club training coordinators at training@paddletrails.org if have questions or you need to borrow equipment.
For More Information or to Register: Introduction to Canoeing Class I Rivers
Swiftwater Rescue Course, ACA Level 4: July 19 & 20
This course teaches recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques, and simple rescues of paddlers in distress. Emphasis is placed on personal and group 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 covered. This course is aimed at whitewater private boaters interested in learning fundamental river rescue skills. In addition to a common SW L4 Curriculum, this unique course includes kayak and canoe specific rescue techniques and tricks! Paddlers need to be comfortable navigating class 2+ rapids. Skills are often scaffolded to allow a new rescuer to focus on fundamentals and an advanced rescuer to push themselves.
Difficulty: Class II (II+)
Cost: $75.00 for PTCC members.
Prerequisites:
* Comfortable navigating class II/II+ rapids
* Able to swim 25 yards
Required Equipment:
* Canoe, kayak, packraft, or IK with floatation and outfitting suitable for class II+ rivers
* Type 3 PFD designed for whitewater use
* Whitewater helmet
* Drysuit or wetsuit with good protective footwear
* Throw rope
* Whistle
Capacity: 12 paddlers
Contact the club training coordinators at training@paddletrails.org if have questions or you need to borrow equipment. We may also be providing a basic "pin kit" for a nominal cost, which would include carabiners, nylon webbing, and rope to make Prusiks. Contact us if you'd be interested in a kit.
For More Information or to Register: Swiftwater Rescue Course
Introduction to Paddling Class I Rivers: July 26
In this one day canoeing course, come learn about how moving water affects your boat. This is pre-whitewater, so we are covering some of the basics: entering and exiting current, paddle strokes, and being an active group member. Students must have PFDs, helmets and canoes suitable for river use. A wetsuit or drysuit is recommended, as water temperatures are still chilly. Students should be available for both Saturday and Sunday sessions to be able to get value out of the class. Canoes must be suitable for easy rivers and have flotation.
The Saturday class will be from 9:00 - 5:00 and Sunday will be from 10:00 - 4:00.
Difficulty: Class I (II)
Cost: $50.00 per boat
Prerequisites:
* Comfortable paddling and maneuvering a canoe on lakes
* Able to swim 25 yards
* Watercraft designed for easy river paddling with some flotation.
* Suggested Wetsuit or Drysuit, helmet, PFD
Capacity: 8 boats
Contact the club training coordinators at training@paddletrails.org if have questions or you need to borrow equipment.
For More Information or to Register: Introduction to Class I Rivers
River Safety Skills Building & Practice: August 9
This hands-on class will cover the fundamentals of River Safety and Rescue. It will include topics such as wet exiting your boat, how to swim a rapid, use of throw ropes, swimmer and boat rescues, wading in current and techniques for unpinning boats.
The class will be held on very easy section of river.
Difficulty: All welcome
Cost: No Charge
Prerequisites:
* Comfortable paddling and maneuvering a canoe on lakes
* Able to swim 25 yards
* Watercraft designed for easy river paddling with some flotation.
* Wetsuit or Drysuit, helmet, PFD
Capacity: No limit
Contact the club training coordinators at training@paddletrails.org if have questions or you need to borrow equipment.
For More Information or to Register: River Safety and Rescue Practice
Introduction to Paddling Tidewater: September 28 (rescheduled)
This one day class is for confident quiet water or lake paddlers who are looking to make the jump to paddling near shore on the Puget Sound. The possibility of wind, waves, current, and cold water all exist, so you should dress appropriately and be prepared for dynamic conditions. An online presentation prior to the day of the class will also be included, to learn about tides, currents, and reading charts.
Solo and Tandem canoes and kayaks are welcome. If you need help with gear, reach out and the club can help get things together for you.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cost: $75.00 per boat
Prerequisites:
* Comfortable maneuvering and paddling lakes
* Canoes must have partial flotation.
* PFD
* Clothing and personal items appropriate for spending the day on the water
Capacity: 6 boats
Contact the club training coordinators at training@paddletrails.org if have questions or you need to borrow equipment.
For More Information or to Register: Introduction to Paddling Tidewater
Fundamentals of Canoeing Class II Whitewater (Solo and Tandem): November 8 - 9
In this two day course, continue to practice whitewater skills while learning how to safely navigate obstacles and maneuver efficiently and effectively through a dynamic environment. You will learn more advanced skills and dynamic paddling techniques as well as individual and group strategies for navigating rapids. Students need to have boats that are designed and equipped for whitewater. Wetsuit or drysuit and other whitewater gear required.
Contact the club training coordinators at training@paddletrails.org if have questions or you need to borrow equipment.
Difficulty: Class II (II+)
Cost: $75.00 per boat
Prerequisites:
* Comfortable paddling Class I rivers
* Able to swim 25 yards
* Canoe designed for whitewater paddling with full flotation.
* Drysuit, helmet, PFD
Capacity: 6 boats
Contact the club training coordinators at training@paddletrails.org if have questions or you need to borrow equipment.
For More Information or to Register: Introduction to Canoeing Class II Whitewater (Solo and Tandem)
The Following Classes are not currently scheduled but could be held based on demand:
Introduction to Photography and Birding by Canoe / Kayak
Difficulty: Beginner.
Cost is $50.00 per student
Contact the club training coordinators at training@paddletrails.org if have questions or you need to borrow equipment.
Train the Trainer Workshop:
Do you ever go canoeing with friends, family or other people who you wish were better paddlers or maybe they wish that for themselves? Have you tried yelling at them to “Paddle harder!!!!!” and it didn’t seem to help? Well, we’ve just added a fantastic new training opportunity for members this Fall. The “Train the Trainer” course, as it sounds, will focus on giving students the skills and confidence to help teach others how to canoe on moving water. There is no cost for taking this class – it is free to members! You can take this class as a solo canoeist or as a tandem team although most students who you might help teach take the moving water classes as a tandem team.
The course will cover a basic curriculum of strokes and techniques and provide different approaches and ideas for how to teach them. The benefits of taking the class will be:
- You will gain skills in effectively instructing others how to canoe
- You will help Paddle Trails by filling a need for more instructors
- You will undoubtedly become a better canoeist yourself
The course will be one evening virtual session followed by two live sessions a week apart. The dates are Wednesday, November 6th in the evening and then Saturday, November 9th and Saturday November 16th.
The prerequisites for taking the class are:
- you must be familiar with the basic canoeing strokes
- you are able to perform basic maneuvers on moving water such as ferries, eddy turns and peel outs.
- You must have basic skills for river reading and river safety.
- Drysuit, PFD, a canoe with basic flotation.
Contact the club training coordinators with questions about any other possible classes at training@paddletrails.org.