Open Boat Paddling Clinic with Coach Kaz Returning!
June 21 - 22, 2008

Registration Form (pdf)

This summer will once again feature an open boat clinic for youths and adults. John Kazimierczyk will lead a team of experienced coaches who will work with the participants. Racing and recreational paddling technical questions will be covered during the camp. The camp is open to beginner to intermediate paddlers.

This summer John Kazimierczyk (nicknamed “Kaz”) returns to Wausau Whitewater to provide training and instruction in a two-day Open Canoe Training Clinics. Other paddlers have called him one of the world’s best Open Canoe paddlers. He’s been racing since 1980, in multiple disciplines of paddle sports. In July, he will compete in Wausau with other Open Canoe athletes in the ACA Open Canoe Nationals and North American Championships.

In addition to slalom style paddling, Kaz competes in Downriver Racing and Marathon Canoe Racing. Throughout his career, he has collected about 650 medals from those competitions and 80 of those medals have come from Nationals.

"I have no paddling secrets, unless of course you are racing against me. Actually I’m willing to share whatever I know with whoever wants to learn it. I don’t know if I would call myself an instructor per say, maybe more of a guide. I’m sure it’s been said before, but the most important thing for any paddler to master is a total command of the forward stroke. All whitewater boats turn, the trick is making them go straight. That’s where your power will come from. Flatwater workouts will help this and total devotion to the sport. What you put in, you’ll get out. As near as I can tell, there are not any age restrictions to this sport. Your body will be your guide. You just have to listen to what it tells you. Obviously younger paddlers have more strength, but I think older paddlers such as myself, paddle smarter.”

Scholarships - 2008 Ray McLain Paddling Scholarship

The Ray McLain Paddling Scholarship Fund has been set up under Wausau Kayak / Canoe Corporation’s 501(c)3 to provide financial help to qualified up and coming paddlers in the whitewater kayaking sport in Wisconsin and the Midwest.  This will enable qualified canoe/ kayak athletes to train and compete in the sport in pursuit of national and /or international medalling.

As Ray McLain has committed so much of his time, efforts, and dollars over the years to help youth excel in the sport, Wausau Kayak / Canoe Corporation and Green Bay Paddlers United want this to keep his legacy going. A committee to administer the fund is comprised of representatives from Green Bay Paddlers United and Wausau Kayak / Canoe Corporation. Rebecca Giddens, formerly of Green Bay, WI and Olympic Silver Medal winner in the 2004 Olympics says, “It’s the Ray McLain’s of this world that make the difference. He teaches with fun, love, dedication, and determination. Thanks for helping me get to the top, Ray!”

For more on the Rebecca Giddens path to the Olympics, read this article from the 2007 issue of Wausau Whitewater, Through the eyes of an Olympic Champion

Qualification criteria for atheletes includes:

• Must be involved in slalom, freestyle, or wild water
• Must express financial need
• Demonstrate a commitment to the sport
• Demonstrate potential as an athlete, as shown by successfully completed competitions with a track record of improvement in rankings.
• Preference is shown to residents of Wisconsin, then residents of the Midwest, as defined by the states of Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Iowa.

If you wish to donate to the Ray McLain Paddling Scholarship fund, the check should be made out to Wausau Kayak / Canoe Corporation with a memo that this donation is for the scholarship fund to Wausau Kayak / Canoe Corporation, 1202 Elm Street, Wausau, WI 54401. All donations are tax deductible.

To apply for a scholarship, contact Wausau Kayak / Canoe Corporation, 1202 Elm Street, Wausau, WI 54401. Application forms will be available soon. Click here for pdf version. The deadline for applications is Dec. 1, 2008. Mail the completed form to the address above. The decision of the committee will be announced at the end of January.

Ray McLain Beginner to Intermediate Slalom and Recreational Paddling Camp
June 23 - 27, 2008

The Wausau Kayak/Canoe Corporation continues its tradition of providing opportunities for training by hosting whitewater slalom and recreational camps and clinics for youths and adults.

The Ray McLain camp is open to beginner through intermediate level kayak and canoe paddlers. Experienced coaches will be present to work with the participants. Both racing and recreational paddling skills will be covered during the camp.

During our on-water sessions, paddlers will be divided into ability groups, with two structured workouts (each lasting two hours) each day, with practice time between workouts. Individuals will be programmed according to ability and interests. Camp members will be spending one day at the Red River, with approximately five hours spent on the water. All other paddling sessions will be held on, or next to, the race course near downtown Wausau.

2008 Camp brochure (pdf) Registration Form - Ray McLain Release Forms for Camp Wausau Kayak / Canoe Corporation Waiver (pdf) ACA adult waiver (pdf) ACA minor waiver (pdf)

Be Part of the first ever Freestyle Training Clinic!
August 14 and 15, 2008

Plans are still being firmed up for Wausau Whitewater's first Freestyle Training Clinic to be held just prior to Midwest Freestyle Championships on August 16 and 17, 2008. To indicate your interest in participating in the clinic, e-mail Julie Walraven at wkcc@dwave.net. Registration forms and other information will be posted here when they are developed.