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Kayaking Immersion Course - 5 Days
Featuring fun, expert instruction with a strong emphasis on safety, Esprit's beginner immersion courses are an in depth "submersion" into the fundamentals of whitewater kayaking.
The "Immersion" course combines flat water and moving water, giving you the opportunity to develop and fine tune the skills that will bring you success in whitewater. On the river, courses concentrate on developing your ability to read whitewater, practicing and refining your paddling skills as well as designing river running strategies. From the start, Esprit's instructors will work together with you to achieve your personal goals in a fun, challenging environment (flatwater to class III whitewater).
Courses are based at the "Pointe", Esprit's riverside lodge on the banks of the Ottawa River. The Pointe is ideally located close to great learning spots for beginners on the Ottawa and Coulonge Rivers.
All Esprit courses follow the proficiency guidelines set forth by Whitewater Ontario. The Immersion Course focuses on the skills set for the Proficiency Level A & B.
For more information on these skill levels,
please
download the Immersion Skills Progression pdf document.
Availability & Costs |
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|---|---|---|
| 2009 Dates | Costs |
|
| June 8-12 | $625.00 | |
| July 6-10 | $625.00 | |
| August 3-7 | $625.00 | |
| * additional dates may be available upon request for groups of 4 or more | ||
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Immersion Course Itinerary
The Immersion beginner kayak course is designed to introduce the fundamental strokes and maneuvers essential to your success paddling in class I-II whitewater.
| Day 1 | 8:30 am | Meet your guides and fellow paddlers |
| 9:00 am | Boat and gear outfitting | |
| 10:00 am | Flat water instruction, basic strokes and techniques | |
| 12:00 - 1:00 pm | Lunch break | |
| 1:00 pm | Introduction to moving water (location will depend on water levels) | |
| 4:00 pm | Take out | |
| Day 2-5 | 8:30 am | Depart for river |
| 9:00 am | Warm up, review strokes and techniques | |
| 10:00 am | As confidence increases, students will challenge different rapids, continually working on new skills. Instruction and feedback throughout the day combined with short rolling sessions. | |
| 12:00 pm | Lunch break | |
| 12:30 - 4:00 pm | Continuation of paddling | |
| 4:00 pm | Take out | |
| Note: Trip timing may vary depending on water levels. | ||
What's included in your course
All courses include your paddling equipment (kayak, skirt, paddle, lifejacket, helmet and wetsuit), certified kayak instructors, and river transportation. Meals and accommodations are not included in the course cost.
Optional Add-ons
| Accommodation: | |
| Camping (bring your own tent) Cabin Tent Rental Hostel |
$10.00/night $10.00/night $25.00/night |
| Meals: | |
| Breakfast Lunch Ultimate BBQ |
$8.00 $12.00 $25.00 |
What you should bring for your course
Swimsuit, quick dry shorts, warm fleece/wool sweater, polypropylene/synthetic long sleeve shirt & tights/leggings (ie. long underwear), water sandals/shoes/socks for use in water (preferably nothing too bulky so that you can wear them inside your kayak), personal paddling gear you may already have, noseplugs (highly recommended for new kayakers!), sunscreen, bug repellent, towel, bag to carry wet gear to and from river. If you are camping you will also need to bring a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad and flashlight.
Testimonials
Don't just take our word for the fact that Esprit provides excellent kayaking instruction! Here is what others who have experienced an Immersion Course with Esprit have to say:
"The course was great! A fantastic week spent with a patient, enthusiastic and competent instructor."
Jonathon, Toronto
"Absolutely wonderful! Loved the staff, the atmosphere and the water!"
Carole, Waterloo