Instructional Programs
Poudre Paddler classes teach strokes and skills for levels from beginning paddlers through river enthusiasts.
All class participants must . . .
All class participants must . . .
- have their club dues current to begin classes.
- have or rent your own boats and gear
- must be a competent swimmer
ACA Certified Canoe Instructors
Whitewater Canoeing
Tandem & Solo Eric Hermann |
River Canoeing
Tandem & Solo Mike Koliha |
Whitewater Canoeing
Tandem & Solo Debbie Hinde |
Other Poudre Paddler Instructors
|
River Canoeing - Tandem and Solo
Mike O'Brien |
Sea Kayak - Camping
Randy Knauff |
River Kayaking - Camping
Karen Roth |
River Canoeing - Tandem and Solo
Richard Ferguson |
Instruction 2025
Written by Eric Hermann
Poudre Paddlers Essentials of River Canoeing
Flatwater & Basic River Canoeing Skills
Flatwater & Basic River Canoeing Skills
Note: We are developing this class. We’re aiming at a weekend, maybe May 17-18 or in late June/early July as the river tames down a bit. We’ll start on a pond one day, the Poudre River the next. At this stage the class is limited to eight students. We’ll keep a waiting list as well.
Poudre Paddler membership must be current and swimming skills necessary! Course is mainly for tandem canoeists, though solo boats are ok too. You will need your own, or borrowed, canoe, life vest, and equipment.
Dates : TBD
Location: Fort Collins Area, Northern Colorado. Details TBD
Instructors: Eric Hermann and others
Cost : TBD
This course is an introduction to canoeing and to canoeing rivers. You will learn the proper paddling techniques for the bow and stern paddlers of a tandem canoe or solo techniques if you paddle alone.
Saturday: The first day is Basic Canoeing, including strokes to be used in lakes or rivers: forward and reverse strokes, turning strokes, side-slipping, stability, and safety, as well as equipment choices. Your strokes will be refined through demonstration, practice, individualized feedback and instruction. We will work on communication and coordination between tandem partners.
You may decide to attend for only the first day. However, for day two, day one is a prerequisite.
Sunday: The second day will be on the river, again specific spot to be announced. This day will build upon the Basic class. We’ll apply the basic strokes to moving water (up to Class I+). We’ll use ferry moves to zip across current and learn to duck safely into eddies and then peel out from them. And we’ll work on braces and boat tilts to help you stay upright.
Please register or send questions to: Eric Hermann: ehermann [email protected]
Please tell me the following when you register:
Poudre Paddler membership must be current and swimming skills necessary! Course is mainly for tandem canoeists, though solo boats are ok too. You will need your own, or borrowed, canoe, life vest, and equipment.
Dates : TBD
Location: Fort Collins Area, Northern Colorado. Details TBD
Instructors: Eric Hermann and others
Cost : TBD
This course is an introduction to canoeing and to canoeing rivers. You will learn the proper paddling techniques for the bow and stern paddlers of a tandem canoe or solo techniques if you paddle alone.
Saturday: The first day is Basic Canoeing, including strokes to be used in lakes or rivers: forward and reverse strokes, turning strokes, side-slipping, stability, and safety, as well as equipment choices. Your strokes will be refined through demonstration, practice, individualized feedback and instruction. We will work on communication and coordination between tandem partners.
You may decide to attend for only the first day. However, for day two, day one is a prerequisite.
Sunday: The second day will be on the river, again specific spot to be announced. This day will build upon the Basic class. We’ll apply the basic strokes to moving water (up to Class I+). We’ll use ferry moves to zip across current and learn to duck safely into eddies and then peel out from them. And we’ll work on braces and boat tilts to help you stay upright.
Please register or send questions to: Eric Hermann: ehermann [email protected]
Please tell me the following when you register:
- Name(s) of attendees
- Email and cell numbers
- Type of canoe (tandem or solo, make and model is helpful)
- Brief note of canoeing experience if any
- Are you a Poudre Paddler Member?
- Are you an ACA Member?
- If so, your member number?
River-Reading April 16 and 19
(You will be on dry land, not be in boats) This class is full as of March 21
Eric Hermann and Debbie Hinde will focus on the river features that guide our travel, both features to seek and those, of course, to avoid. We will show and discuss downstream vees, eddies, holes and other hazards and our choices of safe lines, or routes, through or around them. We will begin with some videos to watch as homework, then meet Wednesday, April 16, in the evening to discuss them and present diagrams as well.
Then, Saturday morning, we’ll meet at a site, TBD, along the river to demonstrate features and how to negotiate them.
Further details: TBD. Contact [email protected] 970 290 4602 or [email protected] 970 213 2568
Any cost? Probably not….
Do you want to sanction?
Eric Hermann and Debbie Hinde will focus on the river features that guide our travel, both features to seek and those, of course, to avoid. We will show and discuss downstream vees, eddies, holes and other hazards and our choices of safe lines, or routes, through or around them. We will begin with some videos to watch as homework, then meet Wednesday, April 16, in the evening to discuss them and present diagrams as well.
Then, Saturday morning, we’ll meet at a site, TBD, along the river to demonstrate features and how to negotiate them.
Further details: TBD. Contact [email protected] 970 290 4602 or [email protected] 970 213 2568
Any cost? Probably not….
Do you want to sanction?
Intro to River Safety and Rescue
When: TBD
Your presenters are Debbie Hinde and Randy Knauff.
Our topics will be:
Getting to the water safely
Selecting the waterway
Finding information
Selecting the right gear
Paddler roles & responsibilities
River signals
Scouting
Self-Rescue Techniques
Assisted Rescue Techniques
If you paddle or row on rivers, learning the fundamentals of safety & rescue is the first step. Start with this class and then continue with a Swiftwater Safety & Rescue class as your paddling skills and river classifications advance.
Contact Debbie Hinde at [email protected] for the Zoom link if you'd like to attend this class.
Your presenters are Debbie Hinde and Randy Knauff.
Our topics will be:
Getting to the water safely
Selecting the waterway
Finding information
Selecting the right gear
Paddler roles & responsibilities
River signals
Scouting
Self-Rescue Techniques
Assisted Rescue Techniques
If you paddle or row on rivers, learning the fundamentals of safety & rescue is the first step. Start with this class and then continue with a Swiftwater Safety & Rescue class as your paddling skills and river classifications advance.
Contact Debbie Hinde at [email protected] for the Zoom link if you'd like to attend this class.