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Advanced Freestyle Clinic

Learn advanced freestyle techniques that will help enable you to do multiple cartwheels, loops, and other more complex moves.

DURATION

Full Day

AGE

14+

LEVEL

Class II-III Rapids

INCLUSIONS

All equipment, instruction, catered picnic-style lunch & transportation

Overview

In this intensive one-day clinic, learn advanced freestyle kayaking techniques that will help enable you to do multiple cartwheels, loops, and other more complex moves. We have the hottest playboats on the market for you to test out and some really fun natural river features.

After reviewing basic freestyle technique and filling any gaps in students’ knowledge, we take the moves several steps further to work on multiple ends of a cartwheel, advanced flat spinning and looping. We practice stringing moves together in a dynamic sequence that will help you shred with style.

In this clinic, we systematically work to help you break through to a higher level of whitewater play. Moves such as getting the third end of a cartwheel can be a challenge without clear instruction and helpful feedback.

Who Should Take the Clinic

This clinic is for advanced intermediate and advanced kayakers, as we paddle the Class III-IV Dryway section of the Deerfield River. Participants in these clinics should be able to initiate both bow and stern move, cartwheel on flatwater, and have a solid Class III roll.

You will spend somewhere between four to five hours in your boat. To prepare, it’s helpful to stretch your thighs, hamstrings, and torso (back, stomach, shoulders, and neck). If you increase your flexibility, you will have more efficient strokes and be more comfortable in your boat.

What Should I wear?

While some of the flatwater areas we use are quite warm in June, July, and August, the Deerfield River is always cool, regardless of the time of year or air temperature. When packing your paddling clothes, please plan accordingly, especially if you are coming early or late in the season (April, May, September, and October). Our clinics will run rain or shine.

Wear items such as:

  • Synthetic long underwear, garments made of polypropylene, Capilene, or some polyester/spandex blend
  • Fleece or wool socks
  • Bathing suit
  • Fleece or wool jacket/sweater (early/late season or if you tend to chill easily)

Other items to bring:

  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Retaining strap for glasses
  • Nose plugs
  • Towel
  • Required medications
  • Extra money for snacks or T-shirts

What we provide

  • boat
  • wetsuit
  • paddle jacket
  • booties
  • life jacket
  • helmet
  • paddle
  • sprayskirt

If you own your own equipment, we suggest you use it in the clinic to get used to its quirks.

We provide a catered picnic-style lunch on all our full day clinics.

The following statement is required by state law: “Before placing your order, please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.”

We do not use nuts in our food, but can not guarantee that the ingredients in our meals do not contain nuts or other food allergens. If you have food allergies or other special dietary needs, we strongly suggest you bring your own bag lunch in non-glass containers and we will pack it with the other lunches on your trip. Please inform our office at 413-339-4010 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you intend to do this.