Kayak Instruction

Novice River Clinics (one to two day trips)

This clinic is great for kids through adults who like the outdoors.

This river trip is the natural progression from our novice lake clinic or pool clinic. It is designed for kayakers who have never been on whitewater before, or for those who want to polish up and review their technique. Our novice lake class, or a demonstration of equivalent ability, is a prerequisite. Minimum age is 12, swimming ability is required.

Choose between One and Two Day River Clinics
Your best bet to progress in running rivers in a kayak is our two day Glenwood Canyon River Trip. This trip takes place on the Colorado River in and around Glenwood Canyon. The Colorado river in this area is the best place to learn how to kayak due to the warmer water and river features. Our one day clinics take place around the Boulder/Denver area. We use a combination of Boulder Creek, Clear Creek, South Platte, and St. Vrain Rivers.

Glenwood Canyon two day river clinics
The Colorado River flowing through beautiful Glenwood Canyon is the setting for our 2 day novice river trips. The Colorado River is a large deep river with large eddies, sandy beaches and sandstone rocks. The clinic consists of continual instruction through rapids of progressing difficulty. You will learn to read the river and use currents, eddies, holes and waves to maneuver your kayak and play the river. Glenwood Canyon provides perfect class II+ deep channel rapids framed in one of the West’s most inspiring canyons. Some of the most spectacular hot springs in all of Colorado are in this Canyon, and yes, we do stop!
We have several classes going at the same time to accommodate all students including kids, men and women.

Boulder/Denver area one day river clinics
There are four rivers in and around Boulder/Denver that we will use to teach this clinic. This clinic will meet at at 9am, you will be contacted for the location. Due to variations in the water levels, this clinic takes place on the river that has the most ideal water level. This clinic follows the same progression as our two day Glenwood River Clinic. Two days on the river combined with our lake class will still get you the 3 day clinic discounted price.


What to Expect:
The first morning we will be on the water right after a safety talk and a vehicle shuttle. We will spend the majority of the first morning getting comfortable in the boats and learning river features. You will experience an incredible learning curve as your newly acquired skills and understanding of river currents come together. We will break for a riverside lunch around 1pm, then back on the water. We pull into the last eddy of the day around 4pm. On our Glenwood trips we travel between 5 and 10 river miles each day. The second river day is dedicated to playing and improving the skills you have learned and putting them to the test. At the end of your second day you will see that your river kayaking skills have improved a lot! If you’re like us at the RAGuides, these river trips won’t be your last!

Logistics:
Transportation is not provided. All river trips meet at 9am. The Boulder/Denver area clinics meet at various locations and the Glenwood trips meet at the Dotsero exit between Eagle and Glenwood on the first day. (please see our Glenwood Map) The second day meeting spot will vary due to water levels in the Glenwood area. If you have any questions, please give us a call. Occasionally, due to water levels and class needs, we may use rivers other than the Colorado. If the river has changed, we will notify you. Plan on being on the water from about 9:30am until 4pm.
Drive time from the Boulder/Denver area to Glenwood is about 3 hours. If you come up the evening before, make reservations ahead of time at a hotel, or camp.
We recommend that you camp at Coffee Pot Road or stay in downtown Glenwood Springs.
Please make your reservations as far in advance as possible.
1) Affordable Inn: 800-292-5050
2) First Choice Inn: 800-332-2233
3) Hotel Denver: 800-826-8820
4) Sweetwater Resort: 970 524-7344
5) Glenwood Springs Hotels: 888-892-3642
The Boulder/Denver area does not have camping. Please plan to stay at one of our many local hotels.

The Renaissance Adventure Guides has a special use permit from the White River National Forest to run this section of the Colorado River.

Novice River Clinics
Glenwood Canyon Map

Glenwood Canyon, Colorado River
Sat. and Sun.(9am-4pm)

Dates: (To sign up online, click on the trip/clinic of your choice.)

May 25 - May 26, 08
May 31 - Jun 01, 08
Jun 14 - Jun 15, 08
Jun 28 - Jun 29, 08
Jul 05 - Jul 06, 08
Jul 12 - Jul 13, 08
Jul 26 - Jul 27, 08
Aug 09 - Aug 10, 08
Aug 23 - Aug 24, 08
Aug 31 - Sep 01, 08
Sep 13 - Sep 14, 08

Fee: $249.00
Gear Rental Package: $20.00

Basics River Course Front Range of Colorado K111 6 hours of instruction every Sunday.
(9am-4pm)

Location varies based on water levels, you will be contacted for the location.

Dates: (To sign up online, click on the trip/clinic of your choice.)

May 18, 08
May 25, 08
Jun 01, 08
Jun 08, 08
Jun 15, 08
Jun 22, 08
Jun 29, 08
Jul 06, 08
Jul 13, 08
Jul 20, 08
Jul 27, 08
Aug 03, 08
Aug 10, 08
Aug 17, 08
Aug 24, 08
Aug 31, 08
Sep 07, 08
Sep 14, 08

Fee: $110.00
Gear Rental Package: $10.00

Gear Rental Package: The gear fee is if you need to use a wetsuit and booties. This class includes the kayak, helmet, paddle, pfd, sprayskirt and paddlejacket.

Refund Policy
Classes cancelled 48 hours or more in advance are able to be rescheduled (subject to availability) without penalty. Within 48 hours of the class start time, funds are committed and you will be charged for the class. Refunds will only be given if RA Guides is unable to provide the class as described.

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Novice River Clinic
Glenwood Canyon


More Clinic Information

Kayak Schedule
Pricing
Novice Three Day Clinic

RAGuides Logo
The Boulder Outdoor Center is now booking kayak classes for Renaissance Adventure Guides.


What to Bring:

You should bring:
bathing suit/shorts
towel
sunscreen
a bike water bottle or equivalent
sunglasses with eyeglass straps
nose plugs
You will also want a polypro, Capilene or wool sweater to be worn while on the water.
If you are camping, remember your tent, sleeping bag, pad, food, stove and any cooking utensils.

Equipment provided with RAGuides kayak clinic:
kayak
paddle
helmet
paddle jacket
life jacket
flotation
sprayskirt
Required but not included: wetsuit
booties (both of these items can be included for the gear fee).

If you are providing your own kayaking equipment you must bring these items.

All kayak clinic prices are based on 4 participants per class unless it is a private class. In the event of low registration, we will give you the option to pay a surcharge which will make the trip happen with a smaller group.

Renaissance Adventure Guides
2109 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
Lakewood CO 80227



Questions?
Please call the BOC at:
303-444-8420



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