Pool Sessions – John Muir Middle School Pool, Wausau
March 12, 19, Thursdays, 6pm to 8pm – Roll Practice & Paddling
March 15, Sunday, 2pm to 5pm – Pool Slalom
March 22, Sunday, 3pm to 5pm, Roll Practice & Paddling
Equipment Needed: Boat, paddle recommended - some equipment available.
Important Note: Either American Canoe Association (ACA) membership or ACA event fee ($ 5.00) will be required. Waivers will need to be signed by all adults and parents of children.
Cost: $ 3.00 per session per person
Recreational Release Basic Whitewater Paddling Instruction with Bear Paw Instructors
In 2009 Wausau Whitewater will provide a 2-3 hour introduction to whitewater kayaking / canoeing instruction class at recreational releases through Bear Paw Outdoor Adventure at Whitewater Park in Wausau.
To secure the instructor(s) for the basic whitewater class, participants must register in advance by filling out the form to allow Bear Paw to know how many instructors to bring.
Cost of the class will be $30 plus the $5 ACA fee unless you select ACA membership. See Waiver forms for ACA membership information.
There will be two classes per day for 6 students per class, both classes will begin with fitting the students for gear and boats and open with time with the instructor on the flat water. The class will then progress to the whitewater course for training in basic whitewater paddling.
First session is from 9am to 12 noon and second session is from 1pm to 4pm. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your session. Morning sessions will be filled first and then additional registered participants will be added to the afternoon session.
June 13 am sessions is full. PM class has openings.
Ray McLain Beginner to Intermediate Slalom and Recreational Paddling Camp
June 22 - 26, 2009
The Ray McLain Training 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.
Special Guest Coach, Olympic Gold Medallist, Joe Jacobi will be at the Ray McLain Training Camp beginning on Wednesday through Sunday, June 24 to June 28. Joe is well known for promoting "Olympic Values" and the best attributes of canoeing and kayaking through coaching, instruction, and professional presentations to all audiences on and off the river. Joe also was the Color Analyst for NBC Olympics for both Whitewater and Flatwater Canoe/Kayak at the Olympic Games in Beijing. He called over 20 Olympic races over 11 days of canoe/kayak competition with two different production teams. Also provided commentary and stand-ups for a one-hour broadcast of the Olympic Whitewater Trials on MSNBC.
To maximize the participants time with Joe, the schedule for the training camp will be as follows:
Monday, June 22
Noon
Start of camp. Complete registration process and review camp schedule and flatwater workouts
Tuesday, June 23
Morning at YMCA Camp, training for YMCA camp participants and afternoon field trip to Red River (outside of Gresham, WI)
Wednesday, June 24
9:00am
Whitewater paddling training including coaching by Joe Jacobi
Check-in will be below the Wausau race
course in the grass parking lot south of the
VFW at 12:00 noon on the first day. The first
included meal will not be until dinner, so
please arrive fed. Pick-up will be at 3:00pm
on the last day at the same location.
Registration Details & Forms The camp maximum is 30 participants. As of June 8, 2009, there are 9 registered. Please help by returning registration quickly. Forms needed to complete registration: Registration form, Chaperone guidelines, Code of Conduct, Transportation / Release form, ACA Waiver, Wausau Waiver. Waiver forms are found at the top of the training page. Camp is $300 which includes lodging at YMCA Camp Sturtevant or $275 and you can stay in lodging partners hotels or if you live here, you can stay in your own bed. Lunch is included all 5 days no matter which option.
Registration can be e-mailed to wkcc@dwave.net or faxed to 270-514-5263 and you can pay by PayPal online to expedite your registration or call with credit card information.The opportunity for training by an Olympic Gold Medal Winner is a chance in a lifetime! Late fees have been waived... please register. We have 14 in the camp right now!
Reminder that registration to Wausau Whitewater Weekend is not included with camp registration. We encourage those participants to register for the event.
First Descent Camp June 30,2009 A Day at Wausau Whitewater
First Descents provides whitewater kayaking and other outdoor adventure experiences to promote emotional, psychological and physical healing for young adults with cancer. Founded by Brad Ludden, First Descent Camps have been run effectively in the Western part of the country. This year is the first time they have partnered with a Midwest location.
In 2009, the six-day whitewater kayaking program is in White Lake , WI . Yes, Wisconsin. All programs are run by First Descents but we usually partner with a local outfitter for logistical support. In Wisconsin First Descents has partnered with Bear Paw Outdoor Adventure Resort as our outfitter and to provide accommodations.
On June 30, the First Descent camp participants will come to Wausau to experience the Wausau Whitewater course.Volunteers are welcome to help support the participants in Wausau as well as at the Bear Paw location.
July 16 - 17, 2009 (Thursday and Friday)
Cost: 2 Day Clinic $100 per participant
Scott Berry from Bearpaw Outdoor Adventure Resort will be our training instructor, teamed with our safety team personnel.
Scott has 20 years
of paddling and extensive
river rescue experience. Scott
is hosting an ACA Swiftwater
Rescue Instructor’s Class at Bear Paw in May and will
be a fully certified ACA Swiftwater Instructor. He is also
a volunteer firefighter for the Town of Wolf River and a
volunteer on the Wolf River Search and Rescue Squad.
Training will be assisted by Wausau Whitewater’s Safety Team,
demonstrating strong swimmer and rope rescuing skills.
Wausau Kayak / Canoe Corporation will provide
Participation Certificates to those attending the course.The course will feature hands-on training, in-water and is targeted to rescue personnel such as firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, dive teams, sheriff's deputies, and police officers to help them gain skills in performing rescues in swiftwater conditions. Anyone is welcome to attend. If you are a paddler, fisherman, boating enthusiast, you will benefit from this specialized training.
Here’s What to Expect
This 2 day class teaches recognition and avoidance of
common river hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques,
and rescue techniques for people in distress.
Emphasis is
placed both on personal safety and on simple, commonly
used skills.
Techniques for dealing with hazards that
carry greater risks for both victim and rescuer, such as
strainers, rescue vest applications, entrapments, and pins,
also are practiced.
Scenarios will provide an opportunity
for participants to practice their skills both individually
and within a team/group context.
This course will focus on
safety for rescuers as well as the equipment and rope work
to go with them. You will be able to experience the force of
the swiftwater in different rescue situations.
Class size is 25 participants. If registration exceeds the limit, we will schedule another course for the fall on a Saturday and Sunday.
We thank 3M for their donation of a community grant to help fund the program. Community sponsors are essential to our non-profit operations!
Who - The workshop should be for paddlers who are comfortable on their off-side (i.e. cross forward) in moving water (vs. flatwater). Without this skill the workshop will be very frustrating for the individual. In other words, this program is designed for lower intermediate up to advanced paddlers who have the above skill.
What - students will learn bow-forward paddling techniques and how to navigate upstream (typically in eddies), off-set (zig-zag) and S turn gate sequences.
When - 9.00-3.00 daily (this should provide for 5 hours on the water. It will also allow for an hour of "free-time" at the end of the day
Pricing: $125 for two day clinic.
Instructor Bio
Andy Walker is an open canoe slalom competitor, instructor and wilderness canoe tripper, living in Chelsea, Quebec, Canada. Passionate about paddling he has spent the last 10 years refining his understanding of precision canoeing, and how to teach slalom technique to intermediate paddlers. Andy holds numerous North American Championship titles in various open boat slalom disciplines which includes solo, tandem and downriver combined.
Please submit registration as soon as possible to help us get ready for your event. We need plan for your meals! Please fill out the form below and mail with your check to 1202 Elm Street, Wausau, WI 54401 or e-mail to wkcc@dwave.net or fax to 270-514-5263 with your credit card information. To help you, we are also offering payment through PayPal, you still need to complete and return the registration form but your payment is secure through PayPal.
Jackson Kayak Freestyle Clinic
August 13 - 14, 2009
Register now for the 2009 Freestyle Clinic. Space filled up so fast last year that we had a waiting list. Current numbers on May 21, 2009 is 14 registered.
Instructors:
Colin Kemp & John McConville
Testimony from a prior student: "I had Colin Kemp for my instructor. He's paddled for 23 years. These are my impressions of him. I could tell he has had very good formal training by quality disciplined teachers in his background. He was able to break things down to very technical basics and explain it in a very clear way. He also had the knack of spotting those bad habits that you know you do but think no one else can see. Colin's whole personality is a natural teacher. When it came to coaching for the competition he really came into his groove. I watched him with the advanced group Friday afternoon. What I saw was the very best paddlers in the Midwest being given basic discipline and loving it. Colin is a top coach capable of coaching the best our sport has. Most importantly he had fun teaching us and we had fun learning. It was a great experience and I learned alot about competing and what it takes to excel. I didn't have John McConville for a teacher except for a few minutes while Colin brought the late comers up to speed. In the brief time I was with him he gave me some great advice on my double pump technique. He also has the knack to see what you're doing and the technical knowledge to correct you. Only having paddled for two years he is a phenomenal paddler. At 21 years old he has a beautiful future in paddling and teaching ahead of him!"
Paddlers who register for the clinic will receive a 2-day clinic with Jackson sponsored boaters and one free entry into the Midwest Freestyle Championships. All competitors will also be entered into a drawing for a new Jackson kayak of their choice (certificate)! Lots of other prizes will also be drawn for the competitors. Drawing is held on Sunday and you must be present to win.
Scholarships - 2009 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 medals.
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!”
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. The deadline for applications is
Dec. 1, 2009. Mail the completed form to the address above. The
decision of the committee will be announced at the end of January.
