Intermediate Boater Clinic – Whitewater

Have you mastered class 2? Are you looking for the skills to explore class 3? You’re in the right place! The Intermediate Boater Clinic is for boaters who feel very comfortable making challenging moves in class 2 rapids and are interested in developing class 3 river running/creeking skills. With the help of one of our expert coaches you’ll learn advanced boat control and river reading tactics designed for confidently and efficiently crushing harder rapids. We will also take a deeper dive into the world of whitewater safety and rescue to prepare you for more consequential rivers. Our two day clinic will involve class 2 practice on day one followed by a class 3 run on day two. The one day clinic will be focused on building skills in the appropriate location for the group, which may be class 2, 3, or a combo of both. Content covered in this course can include everything covered in the Beginner Boater Clinic, plus additional topics like; Cross-Stream S-Turns, Mid-Stream S-Turns, Boof Strokes, Surfing, Using the River, Boat Scouting, and Rescue Scenarios. 

The exact location of this course is dependent on water levels and group needs. Some of the rivers in contention include; The Snoqualmie River (Powerhouse Section, and the Upper, Middle, and Lower sections of the Middle Fork), The Cedar River Slalom Course, The Skykomish River (Railroad Section and Boulder Drop Section), Green (Headworks Section), the South Fork Snoqualmie River (Twin Falls State Park), The Skagit River (Goodell Creek Campground), the N. Fork Nooksack (Glacier), and the Sauk River (2 sections upstream of Darrington). The final decision is made a few days before the start and is based on a variety of changing factors.

We can offer rental options for some of your equipment needs, with the exception of whitewater kayaks, whitewater paddles, floatation bags, and throw bags. You can rent these items from Kayak Academy in Issaquah, WA if needed.

We can rent you the following: Booties, Drysuit, Spray Skirt, PFD, and Helmet. We do have a very small fleet, in very limited sizes, of whitewater kayaks and paddles that we can offer IF sizing is appropriate. Appropriate sizing isn’t a luxury in whitewater, it’s a requirement!