Whitewater Kayak Orientation

Whitewater Kayak Orientation on Lake Mendota

Paddling location:

Memorial Union inside the "Boat House"

Requirements:

Nothing! if you need to do a swim test, we can do that at the orientation. A swim test is just a 100M swim and 5mins of treading water

Brief Description:

We'll meet up at the boat house (Hoofer Outing Club Boat House in google maps) and bring you through the basics of WWK. I want to reiterate that you don't even need to have seen a whitewater kayak to suceed at this trip. We're going to bring you through the equipment needed for whitewater, getting fitted to a boat, and then the basics of paddling a whitewater kayak. Regarding paddling, you will learn what a "Wet Exit" is and how to perform one, different strokes and their application, utilization of edges (this will make a lot more sense once we get on moving water), bow rescues, and bracing. 

We have to initially learn these skills on "flat water" but once we get on moving water (your first R1 trip), you'll start to put the pieces together. Speaking of moving water, at the end of your lesson, I will ask for your availability to do an R1 trip (if that's something you're interested in) so that we can get on that ASAP. Absolutely PUMPED to see y'all out there!

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Goals:

Learn the skills outlined in the description, look into planning future R1 trips, look cool.

Costs:

$0...This is why lake lessons are pretty great

Itinerary:

10:00am- meet at boat house and start lesson (brief intros)

10:10am- start checking out gear

10:40am- On-water orientation begins

11:30am- On-water orientation ends, clean boats and hang up gear to dry

11:50am- Recap and brief planning for R1 trip

12:00pm- Peace out!

What to bring:

swim suit, towel

Additional Info:

Please let me know asap if you'll be late. Parking near mem u can be a pain so make sure you give yourself enough time to find parking!

Trip Leader Contact:

beagle@wisc.edu