Whitewater Kayaking

Introduction:

For paddlers who are new to kayaking with limited experience in a hardshell kayak.

Curriculum:

• Dry-land basics

• Proper fitting of gear

• Wet exits

• Balance & maneuverability fundamentals

• Flatwater paddling practice

• Games & confidence-building exercises

• Introduction to river safety concepts

Intermediate:

For paddlers who are comfortable with wet exits and flatwater maneuvering and are ready to enter more challenging current.

Curriculum:

• Comprehensive safety review

• Warm-up: games, drills, efficient paddling technique

• Video analysis (each participant)

• Paddling a Class II-III river stretch

• Reading water & identifying features

• Working eddylines, maintaining angles

• Intro to ferrying and controlled downstream movement

Advanced:

For developing paddlers preparing to push toward Class III–IV whitewater.

Curriculum:

• Safety review and rapid risk assessment

• Boof technique (timing, edge engagement, landing)

• Advanced downriver strategies

• Intro to racing technique (lines, momentum, boat placement)

• Downriver play techniques

• Surfing and feature utilization on the move

Playboating Clinic

For paddlers looking to just start carving up the wave, using eddylines to those who want to double pump, or more advanced tricks. *Minimum 2 hr

Curriculum:

• Safety review

• River etiquette (whitewater park edition)

• Double pump technique

• Bow & stern stalls

• Carving on waves, flat spins

• Cartwheels, freewheels

• Loop mechanics and progression steps

Rolling Clinic

Learn or refine your roll in a supportive environment.

Curriculum:

• Hip snap development

• Paddle position & blade awareness

• Sweep roll, C-to-C roll, and hybrid approaches

• Troubleshooting common mistakes

• Confidence-building in calm water —> more challenging

Custom (get in touch with rad ideas)

Contact us - threesistersriverschool@gmail.com

Rowing Clinic

A deep dive into rowing for expedition boating. Perfect for anyone preparing for big rivers such as the Grand Canyon, Middle Fork Salmon, Illinois, Rogue River, or Deschutes.

Curriculum:

• Preparing for major expeditions

  • Routes, maps, planning, contacts

• Boat rigging (day setups + multiday)

• Rowing techniques

  • Low-water MF Salmon technical

  • Big-water Grand Canyon powerful

  • Small craft setup and maneuvers (<12’)

  • Larger craft setup and maneuvers

• Frame repair & welding

  • Fixing frames

  • Adding walkboards

  • Custom modifications

• Safety, risk management, and river reading for oar rigs

Rescue Training - Basics

• This course includes

  • Mechanical advantage systems

    • Vector pulls

  • Rope rescue

    • Anchors

    • Rope toss skills

    • Second throws and rope coils

  • Zip line

    • Transport individual, gear safely

  • Packing a Rescue Kit