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Instructional Program (2009) 
Poudre Paddler classes teach beginning canoeists basic paddling strokes and river enthusiasts enhanced skills for bigger water. A fee of $10 per non-ACA member will be added to classes taught by certified instructors to cover insurance cost.
All class participants must have their club dues current to begin classes.
You will need to have or rent your own boats and gear. You must be a competent swimmer!
Poudre Paddlers Instructors (with ACA certifications)
| Eric Hermann |
970-482-8339 |
Solo and Tandem Whitewater |
| Debbie Hinde |
970-669-6247 |
Basic Solo & Tandem River and Whitewater Tandem |
| David Karan |
507-206-4768 |
Solo and Tandem Whitewater |
Other Poudre Paddlers Instructors
| Steve Cassells |
303-684-9252 |
| Katie Christensen |
970-484-7857 |
| Randy Knauff |
970-663-4598 |
| Mike O'Brien |
970-482-2623 |
| Karen Roth |
970-482-4360 |
| Joe Schmid |
970-484-7857 |
To Sign Up for Poudre Paddlers Classes
Check fees and insurance in the listings below. Many classes are free.
To sign up, just follow the two easy steps below:
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Contact the instructor.
You must register at least 14 days before the class begins.
Otherwise, classes may be cancelled due to a lack of sufficient students.
So everyone has the best possible experience, registration for any particular class
is by instructor approval. He or she can help you select the class to fit your learning goals
and skill level. The instructor can also offer preparation details, directions to the training location,
and suggestions for the class.
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Bring a check made out to Poudre Paddlers when you arrive at the training location to cover fees.
Include in the check:
- course fee
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ACA insurance fee if applicable for the course ($10 for each non-ACA member)
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Poudre Paddler membership fee ($20) if not a current member
Training Schedule
Introduction to Canoeing (Flatwater)
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Date/Time:
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Saturday, April 25, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
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Location:
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Riverbend Ponds
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Instructor:
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Mike O’Brien
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Fee:
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$25
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Description:
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This is an entry-level class for anyone wishing to learn to canoe.
No experience necessary but any experience you have paddling a canoe will be helpful.
You will learn all of the basic strokes... the right way.
Many of us have poor-form strokes that make paddling inefficient and less enjoyable.
Paddling techniques include: forward & back strokes, sweep and pry, j- and
stationary stern pry, stroke recovery, and effectively linking strokes.
Some of these strokes will be learned and practiced while others will be introduced
and taught in more depth in more advanced classes. Some of the basic safety issues
will also be covered including: exit and reentry, personal flotation devices (lifejackets),
avoiding entanglement from gear or poorly equipped canoes.
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Basic Tandem River Canoeing (Moving water)
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Date/Time:
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Saturday and Sunday, May 2 and 3 (two full days), 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. If the river is too low, day 2 will
be postponed until Saturday, May 9.
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Location:
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Riverbend Ponds and Poudre River
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Instructors:
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Eric Hermann, Debbie Hinde
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Fee:
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$15 per paddler
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Insurance:
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$10 for each non-ACA member
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Description:
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This class will build upon the lessons learned in the Tandem Flatwater class.
The basic strokes will be applied on moving water (up to Class I+).
Your strokes will be refined through demonstration, practice, individualized
feedback and instruction. Communication and coordination between tandem partners
will be discussed. The sequence of moves to accomplish eddy turns, peel outs, and
ferries will be introduced and practiced. Boat tilts and other methods that also
help you stay upright will be discussed and demonstrated.
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Basic Canoeing Instruction [Offered by the Rocky Mountain Caone Club]
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Date/Time:
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see description
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Location:
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see description
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Instructors:
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Bill Haas, 303-249-0601, bill.haas [at] rrcc.edu, Certified ACA Whitewater Canoe Instructor
Kerry Edwards, 303-722-1077, kerry.edwards [at] rrcc.edu, Certified ACA Whitewater Canoe Instructor
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Fee:
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see description
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Description:
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ACA Canoeing courses Level 1, 2, & 3 will be taught in succession on the following four dates/times: 1st session, Tues. May 26th, 6-8:30pm classroom session, location TBA 2nd session, Thurs. May 28th, 6 -9pm, on a lake, location TBA (probably Bear Creek Lake) 3rd session, Sat. May 30th, 8:30am - 4pm, on a lake, (probably Chatfield Reservoir) 4th session, Sun. May 31st, 8:30am - 4pm, on a river, location TBA Participating members will have the following two options: Flatwater Instruction only: cost $60.00/person - you will only need to attend sessions 1, 2, 3 Flatwater/Basic River Instruction: cost $80.00/person - you will need to attend all 4 sessions Early reservations will be necessary, checks payable to Rocky Mountain Canoe Club A packet of information will be sent to you with your paid reservation. NOTE: if paddlers attend all of the sessions, their checks will be returned to them. In other words, the class is free to those who show up and complete the course. Cancellations with adequate notice will also have checks returned.
Complete course description and outline: RMCC 2009 Basic Canoeing Instruction
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Reading the River
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Date/Time:
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Wednesday, June 3, 5:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
May add on-river session Saturday, June 6, 12:00 p.m. – 5 p.m.
for those who have done Filter Plant or equivalent.
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Location:
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Poudre River, Lower Picnic Rock parking lot
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Instructor:
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Dave Karan
Contact via email by May 1: poudreman [at] comcast.net
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Fee:
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Free
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Description:
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From the safety of the riverbank, learn about friends and foes; those features of
rivers which can help you have a safe and fun run... or make things wet in a hurry.
Learn to read and understand features and concepts like laminar flow, turbulence,
hydraulics, deadfall, strainers, pour-overs, low head dams, holes, undercuts, souse
holes, eddy lines, rocks and there effects on water, techniques for navigating curves,
rapids, and various obstacles. Special emphasis on the most dangerous hazards.
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Beginning River Rescue and Safety Class
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Date/Time:
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TBD, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – classroom session
TBD, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.– river session
[Class will be offered in 2009 – dates not yet set]
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Location:
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Classroom session: TDB
River session: Poudre River
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Instructors:
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Debbie Hinde, Randy Knauff
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Fee:
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Free
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Description:
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Safety and rescue skills are an essential for anyone paddling a canoe,
kayak, raft, duckie, etc. This class is formulated primarily for Poudre Paddlers
wanting to run rivers. Fundamental safety equipment, basic boat rigging for safety,
understanding and recognizing hazards, reading rapids, self-rescue skills, and
on-shore rescue of swimmers will be covered. As time allows, other safety and
rescue issues may be addressed including: minimizing the risk of capsizing,
safe boat entry and exit, and boat-to-boat rescue. If you attend this class,
you will get wet! Please wear suitable clothing and bring extra dry clothing too.
Consider renting a wet suit from a local outfitter if you do not already own one.
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Canoe Poling Class
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Date/Time:
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Offered if enough interest.
Contact the instructor or instruction coordinator.
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Location:
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TBD
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Instructor:
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Mark Riffe, 970-224-9812 or mriffe [at] fs.fed.us
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Description:
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What to do when up a creek without a paddle? Poling is an attractive alternative for moving a canoe when the water is too shallow for paddling, and it’s surprisingly effective for moving upstream. The stance also affords a good view of the surroundings. Equipment requirements are simple and practice is easy to acquire: poles can be found on an as-needed basis, but in the club, we make our own and find practice sites nearby that are easily accessed. We will form a class if there is interest.
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Introduction to Solo Canoeing
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Date/Time:
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Offered if enough interest.
Contact the instructor or instruction coordinator.
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Location:
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Instructor:
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Fee:
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$15 per boat
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Insurance:
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$10 for each non-ACA member
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Description:
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This is an entry-level class for anyone wishing to learn to canoe.
No experience necessary but any experience you have paddling a canoe will be helpful.
You will learn all of the basic strokes... the right way.
Many of us have poor-form strokes that make paddling inefficient and less enjoyable.
Paddling techniques include: forward & backstrokes, sweep and pry, j- and
stationary stern pry, stroke recovery, and effectively linking strokes.
Some of these strokes will be learned and practiced while others will be introduced and
taught in more depth in more advanced classes.
Some of the basic safety issues will also be covered including: exit and reentry,
personal flotation devices (lifejackets), avoiding entanglement from gear or poorly
equipped canoes.
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Basic First Aid and CPR
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Date/Time:
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Offered if enough interest.
Contact the instructor or instruction coordinator.
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Location:
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Instructor:
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Fee:
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Basic River Solo Canoeing
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Date/Time:
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Offered if enough interest –
especially if students from the Intro to Solo Canoeing want to try moving water.
Contact the instructor or instruction coordinator.
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Location:
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Instructor:
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Fee:
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Insurance:
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$10 for each non-ACA member
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Introduction to Tandem Whitewater
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Date/Time:
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Offered if enough interest.
Contact the instructor or instruction coordinator.
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Location:
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Instructor:
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Fee:
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Insurance:
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$10 for each non-ACA member
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Introduction to Solo Whitewater
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Date/Time:
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Offered if enough interest.
Contact the instructor or instruction coordinator.
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Location:
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Instructor:
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Fee:
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Insurance:
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$10 for each non-ACA member
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