Steep Creek Kayak 1 Day Clinic
This one-day clinic, for advanced kayak paddlers only, teaches the specific techniques of creeking, including boofing, catching micro-eddies, and more.
DURATION
AGE
LEVEL
INCLUSIONS
Overview
Up your adventurous spirit in our Steep Creeking Course!
Creeking changes from running rapids to running slides and drops!
WHAT WE COVER:
Creeking safety -
Evaluating river options, skills you and your crew need before putting on the river.
Selecting the best equipment to bring on narrow and challenging runs
Creating good group cohesion for success
Being vigilant for hazards and recognizing changes in topography
Scouting, setting safety and mutual support are all part of a successful day
Creeking technique -
We focus on building skills in a low stress environment where we can identify any areas that may need some refining before stepping up to harder whitewater. As we paddle drops and slides we will be looking at these phases of creek technique: Approach>Lip of drop>Paddle Placement>Body Position>Angle>Speed>Air time>Landing Zones>Exit!
The class will be held in class III-IV sections of river and participants should be very comfortable and have strong rolls in this class of whitewater.
Creeking judgement -
Technique is important but good judgement plays equally (if not more) important role as we step up to new challenges on the river. We’ll look at navigating difficult scenarios from group size, self/peer pressure, rising or dropping water levels, environmental changes, types of creeks (continuous/pool-drop) and how these may effect your day.
For 2025, we are offering creek clinics as custom clinics and we suggest choosing one of the following dates: April 12,13, or 19th. Please book as a private or gather some friends and save more as a semi-private or group rate! We will run this course at a 1:3 student to instructor ratio.
Who Should Take the Clinic
Prerequisite skills include class IV paddling ability including catching small eddies in power whitewater, ferrying and confidence. *A solid class III-IV combat roll is required.* This course is often held on narrow, shallow, high speed, low volume rivers. We recommend that you have prior experience running the Dryway or rivers of similar characteristics and class. Must be confidently capable of walking on slippery rocks with gear and a 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 (especially the Dryway), 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)
- Drytop
- Wetsuit or Drysuit
Other items to bring:
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Retaining strap for glasses
- Nose plugs
- Towel
- Required medications
- Extra money for snacks, T-shirts, or coin-operated showers
What we provide
Zoar Outdoor will 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
(If you own your own equipment, we suggest you use it in the clinic to get used to its quirks. It is always great practice to bring your throw rope!)