2024 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 13 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.
Cost is no charge
Click here for more information on the Club Calendar (Wed 2/21)
Click here for more information on the Club Calendar (Wed 3/13)
Introduction to Canoeing Quietwater: June 1 and June 30
Learn the basics of how to canoe lakes in this one day class designed for total beginners. Both tandem and solo canoes are welcome, and can be supplied for folks without a boat. No previous experience necessary.
Register Here:
Introduction to Canoeing Quietwater - 6/1/2024
Introduction to Canoeing Quietwater - 6/30/2024
Contact the club training coordinators at training@paddletrails.org if have questions or you need to borrow equipment.
Difficulty: Beginner
Cost is $50.00 per boat (solo or tandem)
Introduction to Paddling Saltwater: June 2 and June 29
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.
Register Here:
Introduction to Paddling Saltwater - 6/2/2024
Introduction to Paddling Tidewater - 6/29/2024
Contact the club training coordinators at training@paddletrails.org if have questions or you need to borrow equipment.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cost is $50.00 per boat (solo or tandem)
Introduction to Canoeing Rivers: June 8 - 9
In this two day 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 reccomended, as the water is still chilly in June. 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. Learn More and Register Here!
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 is $75.00 per boat (solo or tandem)
Fundamentals of Canoeing Class II Whitewater: June 15-16
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. Learn More and Register Here!
Contact the club training coordinators at training@paddletrails.org if have questions or you need to borrow equipment.
Difficulty: Class II - II+
Cost is $75.00 per boat (solo or tandem)
Introduction to Photography and Birding by Canoe/Kayak: July 13
This one day class will cover the basics of photography from a boat, including composition, settings, protecting your equipment from the elements, and a discussion of post-production techniques. You'll need a camera (and a boat), but whether it's a professional camera with a 500mm lens or a camera phone, we'll have some fun capturing wildlife from the water.
Location TBD, but it's likely to be Union Bay, in Lake Washington, just north of the Montlake Cut.
Register Here:
Introduction to Photography and Birding by Canoe/Kayak - 7/13/2024
Contact the club training coordinators at training@paddletrails.org if have questions or you need to borrow equipment.
Difficulty: Beginner.
Cost is $50.00 per student
River Safety Skills Building & Practice:
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. Learn More and Register Here!
Cost is no charge
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.