How We Teach Paddling

Every camper at Avid4 Adventure receives a passport outlining the skills we’ll teach at camp. Given that campers have varying levels of expertise with our sports, instructors group campers according to ability to provide them the right level of challenge. Below is a list of skills we take campers through when kayaking. By attending multiple weeks and summers, campers can master skills from Eddies to River Rats!

• Level 1: Eddies
  • I can safely enter a kayak that is on water with 3 points of contact.
  • I can paddle a kayak with alternating sweep strokes.
  • I can turn my kayak to the left and right using sweep strokes.
  • I can use my paddle to stop my kayak safely.
  • I understand the risks associated with kayaking.
  • I practice Leave No Trace while kayaking.
  • I can paddle my kayak toward a destination in a straight line.
• Level 2: Ferriers
  • I can paddle my boat forward and backward with true forward/backward strokes.
  • I can use a draw stroke to move my boat to the side.
  • I can “edge” my kayak and paddle without capsizing.
  • I know how to do a T-rescue on flat water.
  • I can do a wet exit when my kayak flips over.
  • I have practiced throwing and receiving a throw rope.
• Level 3: Play Boaters (whitewater camps only)
  • I have learned about reading water and can point out holes, waves, eddies and pillows.
  • I can paddle a kayak in moving water.
  • I swam a stretch of rapids with my toes and nose up. I can steer my kayak around obstacles in moving water.
  • I can catch an eddy in moving water.
  • I have learned about river dynamics such as constriction, restriction and elevation change.
• Level 4: River Rats (whitewater camps only)
  • I have learned about reading water and can point out holes, waves, eddies and pillows.
  • I can paddle a kayak in moving water.
  • I swam a stretch of rapids with my toes and nose up.
  • I can steer my kayak around obstacles in moving water.
  • I can catch an eddy in moving water.
  • I have learned about river dynamics such as constriction, restriction and elevation change.

Every camper at Avid4 Adventure receives a passport outlining the skills we’ll teach at camp. Given that campers have varying levels of expertise with our sports, instructors group campers according to ability to provide them the right level of challenge. Below is a list of skills we take campers through canoeing at our multi-sport camps.

• Level 1:
  • I can safely enter a canoe that is on water
  • I know how to hold a canoe paddle
  • I have been taught how to put on a Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
  • I can paddle a canoe forward
  • I can paddle a canoe backward
  • I have been a team member in my canoe
  • I know what to do if I fall out of my canoe
  • I can paddle my canoe to form a raft with other canoes
  • I can stand in my rafted boat and sing a song
• Level 2:
  • I can put on a PFD securely.
  • I can turn my canoe to the left and right using sweep strokes.
  • I can paddle my canoe around a figure 8 course.
  • I can flip my canoe and do a “wet exit.”
  • I can stop my canoe in a safe and appropriate manner.
  • I can pull my canoe to the side without turning using the draw stroke.
  • I can communicate effectively with my partners to paddle in a straight line.
  • I can change boats while rafted up.
  • I can identify Leave no trace concepts in a canoeing environment.
• Level 3:
  • I have learned and can demonstrate warm up stretches specific to canoeing.
  • I can do a T-rescue on flat water.
  • I understand the risks and potential hazards associated with canoeing.
  • I can effectively use a J-stroke to steer a canoe.
  • I can effectively move my boat to the side by using a draw stroke.
  • I can demonstrate proper canoe paddling technique on my knees.
  • I can paddle my boat while standing on the gunwales.

Every camper at Avid4 Adventure receives a passport outlining the skills we’ll teach at camp. Given that campers have varying levels of expertise with our sports, instructors group campers according to ability to provide them the right level of challenge. Below is a list of skills we take campers through when stand up paddleboarding. By attending multiple weeks and summers, campers can master skills from Eddies to River Rats!

• Level 1: Board Walkers
  • I know the proper way to hold a SUP paddle.
  • I can paddle a SUP with alternating sweep strokes.
  • I know what to do if I fall off my board.
  • I can re-board my SUP if I fall off in flat water.
  • I can paddle my board while kneeling or sitting on flat water.
  • I can stand on my board and paddle on flatwater.
  • I can launch my board in the water on my own.
• Level 2: SUP Racers
  • I can paddle my board with a true forward stroke on flat water.
  • I can stand in paddle stance while moving on flat water.
  • I can use bow and stern draws to move my board.
  • I can paddle standing in different places on my SUP.
  • I have practiced throwing and receiving a throw rope.
  • I can stand in surf stance while moving on flat water.
• Level 3: River Readers (whitewater camps only)
  • I can point out holes, waves, eddies and pillows.
  • I can paddle a SUP in moving water while kneeling.
  • I swam a stretch of rapids with my toes and nose up.
  • I can catch an eddy in moving water.
  • I have learned about river dynamics such as constriction, restriction, and elevation change.
  • I can avoid falling in moving water with a brace stroke.
• Level 4: River Surfers (whitewater camps only)
  • I can stand up and paddle my board on moving water.
  • I can maintain my balance when going over drops on my board.
  • I have tried surfing my SUP in a hole on moving water.
  • I can ferry my board in moving water.
  • I learned about basic moving water rescue.
  • I can surf my board with no paddle strokes.

Kayaking

We use recreational kayaks for our kayaking. In Colorado, campers practice flat water kayaking using the Old Town Heron 9 Kayak, which is perfect for beginning kayakers due to its stability and easy maneuverability.  In California, campers use the Ocean Kayak Frenzy, which similarly has a reputation and design for stability and easy maneuverability.

Whitewater Kayaking

We currently only offer whitewater kayaking at select locations in Colorado.  Campers participating in our single sport kayaking camp in Colorado will use Jackson whitewater kayaks.  We have a variety to fit kids’ sizes and abilities. The Fun 1 and Fun 1.5 are the most commonly used of our whitewater kayaks.  We also use the Side Kick.

Kayak Paddles

All of our kayaking paddles are kid-size.  The shaft is narrower and therefore easier for kids to grip.

Stand Up Paddleboards

We use Stand on Liquid inflatable and rigid paddleboards which include the Stand on Liquid Sunset Thermo Rigid board (used in Colorado only), the Stand on Liquid Good Vibes Air 11’ package, and the Stand on Liquid Good Vibes Air 9’6” package. The 9’6″ Air package is manufactured specifically for Avid4 Adventure camps to allow for better maneuverability for younger kids, ages 7-10. It is smaller and narrower than the 11’ board.

Stand Up Paddleboard Paddles

Stand up paddleboard paddles are vertically adjustable to fit a wide variety of heights.

Helmets

Anytime we are on whitewater, whether in single sport kayaking camps or single sport stand up paddleboarding camps, kids use kayak helmets. 

Personal Flotation Devices

We use the Extrasport pfd by Johnson Outdoors.  Kids under 50 lbs. will use a Type II pfd which has a two-piece collar behind the head designed to turn a person face up in the water and also has flotation in the chest.  Kids over 50 lbs. use the Type III Universal Sport pfd which zips in front and has adjustable side buckles.

Paddling camps offered vary by location, so please check your camp’s location for paddle sports offered.

Explorer, Skills, and Adventure – Our Multi-Sport camps for entering K – 7th graders where campers practice a different adventure sport every day.  These camps offer at least one day of paddling during the session with many of them offering two.   

Stand Up Paddleboarding – Our Stand Up Paddleboarding Camp for entering 2nd – 7th grade gets campers out on both flat-water and whitewater, experiencing the joy of paddling with scenic perspective while building core strength.

Kayaking – Kids entering 2nd – 7th grade enjoy both flat water and whitewater kayaking where they learn proper use of equipment, strokes and rescues, and reading rivers among other skills.

Advanced Kayaking – Campers from 4th – 7th grade are grouped by grade and experience level to learn intermediate kayaking skills, focusing primarily on moving water.

Please visit the website page for your camp to learn more about the the bodies of water we’ll travel to.

While no outdoor adventure is totally risk-free, we work hard to minimize risk. Every activity starts with an environmental briefing. Here, campers assess their natural surroundings and the potential risks involved. With the guidance of their instructors, they determine ways the group can stay safe. As a result, kids learn how to approach new challenges with intelligence and confidence.

We take a challenge by choice approach to watersports where campers are taught to engage in new challenges and set goals that they feel comfortable with. We meet campers where they’re at and provide opportunities for skill development and personal growth.

What if my camper can’t swim?

Paddling is a great sport for kids to get comfortable on the water without swimming.  Swimming is not a requirement of our paddling programs, with the exception of our Kayaking Single Sport Camp where we require that all participants are competent swimmers.  On any paddling day, campers wear PFDs even while on land within 20 ft. of the water.  Should campers fall into the water while doing one of our paddle sports, PFDs are designed to keep their heads above water. Our instructors are also trained on how to help campers back into their SUP, kayak, or canoe.  The specific PFDs we use can be found in the gear section of this page.   

Read more on our approach to safety