Monday, January 27, 2014

Dates Set for Canoe and Kayak Schools

DES MOINES —Naturalists, youth group leaders and others who bring people out on the water in canoes or kayaks that want to learn how to teach others about paddling efficiently and safely are encouraged to attend one of the Iowa DNR’s paddling schools scheduled May through September.
Each two-day course will cover skills, hazard and river feature identification, teaching to different learning styles, and risk management. The focus will be one-third classroom and two-thirds on-water in both lake and river environments, solo and tandem. Paddling schools are set up for either canoeing or kayaking instruction. Make sure you sign up for your preferred instruction.
All courses will be taught at Briggs Woods, along the Boone River in Hamilton County. Each paddling school is limited to 10 students with two American Canoe Association certified canoe instructors. Instructors are Glenn Harmon, Todd Robertson, John Wenck and Nate Hoogeveen. Students have the options to camp, rent a cabin, or stay in Webster City at a motel while participating in the two-day school. Overnight accommodations are not included in the class fee.
Registration is required and the fee is $25. This is not considered a novice course; students should have previous paddling experience.
The schedule for DNR’s paddling school is:
·         May 6, Flat-Water Essentials (lake only) Special One Day Class
·         May 20-21, Canoe School
·         June 25-26, Canoe School
·         Aug. 20-21, Kayak School
·         Sept. 17-18 Canoe School

For a registration form or to get more information, go to www.iowadnr.gov and type “2014 paddling schools” in the Site Search window; or contact Todd Robertson, DNR River Programs, 515-979-9538 or email him at todd.robertson@dnr.iowa.gov. The DNR’s Paddling Schools fill up fast, so get your registration in quickly.


Media Contact:  Todd Robertson, DNR River Programs, 515-979-9538, todd.robertson@dnr.iowa.gov

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