Canoe & Kayak Schools

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Do you often bring others out on the water in canoes or kayaks?

Want to improve your skills to better demonstrate to others how to paddle efficiently, elegantly, and safely?

These intensive courses follow the American Canoe Association’s “Intro” and “Moving Water” curriculum, and are targeted to those who teach others paddling skills, from lakes to rivers. These courses will be instrumental for students who plan to enroll in an ACA instructor certification course. Class sizes are limited, and they fill up fast, so don’t delay and sign up today!


1-Day Swift Water Rescue

 

1-Day Swift Water Rescue
Date(s): Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023
Start time: 8:00 a.m.
Finish time: 5:00 p.m
Location: Manchester Whitewater Park
Oriented toward:

This course is designed to provide participants with basic knowledge and skills to perform swift water rescue on class 2 moving water. The course will focus on using rescue equipment such as throw ropes and the rescue pfd. There will be an emphasis on swimming in current, tethered rope rescues, rescue wading and boat rescues.

Main emphasis
To provide the knowledge to perform swift water rescues, as well as decision making skills during a swift water rescue. Rescue swimming and rope management are integral to this course.

Target audience
Iowa DNR Conservation Officers

Equipment needed
Your own food (snacks, lunch, liquids), suitable paddling gear for air and water temperatures (dress for getting wet, have towels and dry clothes for after).Quality water shoes are required. We will be spending a lot of time in the water, so shoes that don’t come off are a must. Officers using kayaks should bring the kayaks they use on the river during the boater rescue portions of the class.

Main goal of this course
To make no more victims, so having basic rescue knowledge is essential. This course will introduce new techniques for those unfamiliar with swift water rescue and provide a re-fresher for those experienced rescuers.

For additional questions contact Glenn Harman – lead instructor at glenn.harman@dnr.iowa.gov

 
Class Length: 1 Day
Cost: The cost for the course is $60.00 for ACA members and $65.00 for non ACA members. The course is sponsored by Iowa DNR and Iowa Whitewater Coalition.
Maximum # participants: 15
Registration: For additional questions contact Glenn Harman, glenn.harman@dnr.iowa.gov

 

Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Basics

 

1-day Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Basics (3 different classes offered)
Dates: SUP Intro: May 3, 2023
SUP Intro: July 8, 2023
SUP Intro: July 18, 2023
SUP Intro: August 5, 2023

 
Locations: Grays Lake in Des Moines
Oriented toward:

Beginner classes. This class is a joint effort between the Iowa DNR and the City of Des Moines parks and Recreation Department. Todd Robertson from the Iowa DNR will be the instructor for all classes. Contact Todd Robertson at the email below to get signed up through the city of Des Moines website. Classes are $25. 

Registration: Contact todd.robertson@dnr.iowa.gov or 515-205-6845.

 

2-Day Canoe School for Naturalists and Trip Leaders

 

2-Day Canoe School for Naturalists
Date(s): May 23/24, 2023 - class full
August 23/24, 2023
September 12/13, 2023
Location: Briggs Woods Park, Hamilton County (Boone River)
Oriented toward:

Naturalists who take groups on trips or who are expected to conduct kayak instruction. About 1/3 classroom, and 2/3 on-water, the focus is on skills, hazard and river feature identification, teaching to different learning styles, and risk management.

Class Length: 2 Day
Cost: $65 (you can camp, rent a cabin or stay in town at a motel)
Maximum # participants: 12 (6 tandem canoes)
Registration: Contact Todd Robertson at todd.robertson@dnr.iowa.gov or 515-205-6845.

 

2-Day Kayak School for Naturalists and Trip Leaders

 

2-Day Kayak School for Naturalists and Trip Leaders
Date(s): June 6/7, 2023
August 29/30, 2023
Location: Briggs Woods Park, Hamilton County (Boone River)
Oriented toward: Naturalists who take groups on trips or who are expected to conduct kayak instruction. About 1/3 classroom, and 2/3 on-water, the focus is on skills, hazard and river feature identification, teaching to different learning styles, and risk management. This is for kayak only.
Class Length: 2 Day
Cost: $65 (you can camp, rent a cabin or stay in town at a motel)
Maximum # participants: 8
Registration: Contact Todd Robertson at todd.robertson@dnr.iowa.gov or 515-205-6845.

 

Canoe/Kayak Schools - What's included:

  • 2 day course including  (includes 1 day flat water course) (Lake environment and on river)
  • Experience in tandem canoes, recreational kayaks, whitewater crossover kayaks and SUP
  • Classroom and on-water hands-on training
  • Improved efficiency for skills on the water
  • Improved leadership skills
  • Increase safety, lower stress, have fun and pay knowledge forward based on ACA instructional foundations.
  • You will receive an Iowa DNR certificate of completion.
  • FUN!

Canoe/Kayak Schools - What to bring:

  • Rain gear, brimmed hat for sun, sunscreen
  • A small cooler with a lunch to bring during instruction days; you’ll be on your own for breakfast and dinner – there are restaurants in Webster City if you prefer, or bring your own food.
  • At least 2 liters of drinking water per instruction day.
  • Water shoes or old tennis shoes that can get wet (Flip-flops or bare feet are not allowed)
  • Swimming suit and/or clothing that can get wet
  • If you have a preferred life jacket (Type III paddlers’ life jacket), bring it; otherwise a life jacket will be provided.
  • Sleeping bag & personal effects if staying in a cabin; otherwise bring your own tent and camping gear