One of our club members forwarded this info onto me (thanks Deb!)
and it looks like a great fit for our club. I spoke with Norm and
they currently have room for 4 more kayakers and 3 more canoes, so
if you are interested, sign up soon.

Cheers,
Chris


The Vermont Paddlers Club, a local paddle sports club with a
whitewater focus, holds a novice whitewater clinic every year. I
participated in the clinic last year to learn the skills required to
paddle a tandem canoe through class II whitewater, and it was a
wonderful experience. I left the clinic not only with this ability,
but with a new sport that I absolutely love (not to mention a *need*
to obtain a solo whitewater open canoe).

The following is the details of the clinic from the VPC:
http://www.vtpaddlers.net/paddle/training/index.php

The VPC Annual Novice Clinic is set for June 3 & 4 this year. Come
learn to paddle with us! This event is your opportunity to learn to
paddle solo open canoes, tandem open canoes, decked solo canoes, and
kayaks in up to Class II whitewater.

Saturday will be spent learning basic strokes and safety techniques
on the Waterbury Reservoir, including wet exits, followed by a
practice session at a local Class II rapid. Sunday will consist of
coaching on multiple runs of a local Class II river. Specific runs
will be dictated by water levels, but all will be easy drives from
the Waterbury Reservoir. Most participants graduate the event with
skills to competently paddle Class II whitewater.

No experience or gear is necessary to participate, though all
paddlers will be required to wear helmets and PFD's. VPC members
generously donate their equipment to participants to outfit everyone
with boats, paddles, PFD's, Helmets, Spray Skirts, and appropriate
clothing. Paddler's who own their own equipment are encouraged to
bring it, and those seriously pursuing the sport are encouraged to
obtain at least a helmet and PFD.

Lunch will be provided each day. Participants traveling from further
away are encouraged to find local accommodations. Overnight stays
with VPC member families can be pre-arranged, if interested. We
particularly endorse camping at the Little River State Forest, right
on the shores of the Waterbury Reservoir.

Cost of the clinic is $75 and includes equipment, instruction, lunch
for both days and 1 year VPC membership.

For more information, or to register for the event, contact VPC
Safety and Education Director: Norm Staunton at telenorm@...
or (802) 272-4565. Participants are encouraged to enroll in
the "Class II" Clinic on June 17 and 18 to further develop their
skills.