Intermediate Advanced Training
Additional Training
Wilmington Trail Club offers additional whitewater training options through the Intermediate and Advanced paddlers’ program. These courses are organized and taught by WTC – ACA certified instructors. The content of the courses varies from season to season so check back to stay current with new postings. The overall goal of this program is to offer these courses at affordable prices to encourage paddlers to take a variety of course offerings. Courses include: skills development courses, learning how to roll in current, coached river trips geared to the advanced beginners, intermediate and advanced paddler, and playboating options. A variety of safety classes will also be offered in different area locations. Additionally, as part of this program we will periodically sponsor courses from outside providers on topics such as swift water rescue and wilderness first aid.
** For more information — Please refer to the WTC trip calendar, Forums, and Facebook for listings of course offerings.
2020 Courses – Intermediate/Advanced Paddlers’ Program
*PLEASE NOTE –The instructor will post additional course/contact information as the course approaches. All courses are water/weather dependent.
**If you are not an ACA member, additional ACA event waiver fee ($5) will apply to all courses.
MAY
May 2nd – Getting Back to the River
Location TBD – Brandywine River or Octoraro – location is weather/river level dependent
Maximum of 5 students – Instructor – Matt Himmelstein
A warm-up/refresher for those who participated in 2019, or previous, WTC WW training programs.
This will be a refresher and continuation of instruction with guided practice to help get you back on the river.
Weather dependent gear is required
*Prerequisite Skills: Completed at least two weekends of the WTC WW training program. Course Fee: $20
May 2nd – “Ice Breaker” – Intermediate Paddlers – Coached River Trip
Lehigh – White Haven to Rockport – Instructors – Denise Hackman – water level dependent
Maximum of 5 students
Get the season off to a start, refreshing and honing those skills
This will be the season opener with a coached river trip geared to the Intermediate paddler; Come ready to practice and try out some new skills
Weather dependent gear is required
*Prerequisite Skills: Very comfortable on the Upper Lehigh
Course Fee: $20
May 9th – Building Your Skills as a Training Helper/Assistant
Lehigh River – Glen Onoko – Instructor – Matt Himmelstein and Susan Wentz Number of Students will be determined by instructor at the time of sign up.
This course is designed to prepare paddlers that are assisting with WW training classes (novice and intermediate/advanced program courses)
This training includes learning how to work with the lead instructor to safely guide students during whitewater training courses. We will be practicing how to get students geared up, warmed up, and set up practicing all the skills needed to successfully support the students on the river.
*Prerequisite Skills: Previous experience as a whitewater training assistant or instructor, attendance at a previous whitewater training assistant pool or river session, or permission of the instructor (if you are interested in the class, but have not fulfilled the prerequisite skills, please contact the instructor). Experience with on-water rescues, knowledge of the ACA whitewater training curriculum, and familiarity with the WTC whitewater training program are helpful.
Course Fee: no course fees apply
Tentative – May 16th or 17th– Safety Program – Level 2/3 Safety and Rescue Class
Location – tbd – Instructor – Susan Wentz
Number of students: Minimum of 3; Maximum of 10
Basic Safety and Rescue skill such as recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques, and simple rescues of paddlers in distress. Emphasis is placed both on personal safety and on simple, commonly used skills. This course is aimed primarily at new boaters or as a refresher *Prerequisite Skills: Instructor will advise on sign-up
Course Fees: $20/course and $10 equipment fee, if applicable to course
May 17th– Getting Back to the River
Proposed section -Lehigh (Jim Thorpe to Dunbar)- location is weather/river level dependent-
Maximum of 5 students – Instructor – Lois Hillman
A warm-up/refresher for those who participated in 2018, or previous, WTC WW training programs.
This will be a refresher and continuation of instruction with guided practice to help get you back on the river.
Weather dependent gear is required
*Prerequisite Skills: Completed at least two weekends of the WTC WW training program. Course Fee: $20
JUNE
June 6th – Kayaking: Beyond the Basics –Coached River Trip
Location: Lehigh or other river TBD – Instructor – Jack Lewnard
This coached river trip will focus on tuning up your skills for the river.
Class topics will include: coached practice using river features, eddies, current. Using river features to your advantage.
Prerequisite Skills: Participants should have emerging to solid boat control. Must have weather dependent gear. Course Fees: $20
Tentative – Jun 6th– Safety Program – Level 2/3 Safety and Rescue Class
Location – tbd – Instructor – Susan Wentz
Number of students: Minimum of 3; Maximum of 10
Basic Safety and Rescue skill such as recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques, and simple rescues of paddlers in distress. Emphasis is placed both on personal safety and on simple, commonly used skills. This course is aimed primarily at new boaters or as a refresher *Prerequisite Skills: Instructor will advise on sign-up
Course Fees: $20/course and $10 equipment fee, if applicable to course
June 12th – Skills’ Builder
Lehigh River – Dunbar – afternoon – Instructor – Tim Schafstall
4 students per instructor
Extra practice for 2020 whitewater students (and others who wish to participate) on basic, essential maneuvers of eddying out, ferrying, and S-turns.
*Prerequisite Skills: Attended at least one WW training weekend
Course Fee: Open to all participants (students, instructors, helpers, staff) of 2020 WTC whitewater training. Costs: Free to ACA members, $5 for non-ACA members
June 21st – Rolling In Current
Delaware River – Scudders’ – Instructor – Dave Sibley
5 students; 1 instructor 10:2 with qualified assistance/safety boater
Rolling on a river can be harder than in a pool for various reasons, but it can sometimes be easier. We will look at rolling in a way that uses the current to our advantage. The venue will have good eddy service and easy assisted recovery. We plan to have enough support so that no one will need to pull the cord! Remember that repeated rolls will let in more water than the occasional roll, so latex gaskets are recommended.
*Prerequisite Skills: Reliable pool roll
Course Fee: $10
June 27th – 28th – WTC Intermediate/Advanced Program is sponsoring:
Swiftwater Rescue Class – Professional Instructor – Mike Mathers
Lehigh River – location to be determined
Number of students: 12-15; WTC organizer and contact for registration – Jim Costello
The 2 Day ACA (Level 4) Swiftwater Rescue workshop teaches recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of selfrescue techniques, and rescue techniques for paddlers in distress. Emphasis is placed both on personal safety and on simple, commonly used skills. Techniques for dealing with hazards that carry greater risks for both victim and rescuer, such as strainers, rescue vest applications, entrapments, and pins, also are practiced. Scenarios will provide an opportunity for participants to practice their skills both individually and within a team/group context.
Course Fees: $225 per person (approx.)
JULY
July 10 – Skills’ Builder
Lehigh River – Dunbar – afternoon – Instructor – Tim Schafstall
4 students per instructor
Extra practice for 2020 whitewater students (and others who wish to participate) on basic, essential maneuvers of eddying out, ferrying, and S-turns.
*Prerequisite Skills: Attended at least one WW training weekend
No Course Fee: Open to all participants (students, instructors, helpers, staff) of 2020 WTC whitewater training. ACA event waiver fees will apply if not an ACA member
July 25th – Post-Novice 2020 Graduates – Coached River Trip
Lehigh River – White Haven to Rockport – Instructor – Jim Costello
3-5 students
WTC WW Novice training – Continuation Course
We will run the Upper Lehigh section. This will be a continuation of instruction and guidance for more practice and refinement of river running skills.
*Prerequisite Skills: Must have completed this section of river during training weekend. Completion the WTC 3 weekend training or by instructor permission
Course Fee: $20
AUGUST
August 9th -12th – Master the Lower Yough – Coached River Trip
Youghiogheny River – Lower Section – Instructors – Dave Sibley
Maximum students: to be determined by instructor
One day of scouting hikes, followed by 3-days on the water. Course is intended to help people to gain confidence on the Lower Yough. *Prerequisite skills: High comfort level on the Upper Lehigh; at least a 50% river roll; Instructor approval. Previous experience of several days on the Lower Yough is recommended.
Course Fees: $60
August 14th – Advanced Lines – Lower Yough – Coached River Trip
Youghiogheny River – Lower Section – Instructor – Dave Sibley
Course is designed for those with a level of comfort on the Lower Yough and ready to try more advanced lines.
*Prerequisite skills: Very familiar with the entry level lines on the LY. High comfort level with entry level lines; solid combat roll; Instructor approval Course Fees: $20
August 29th – Post-Novice 2020 Graduates and Advanced Beginners Workshop
Lehigh River – Glen Onoko – Followed by a coached river run to Jim Thorpe
Instructor – Jack Frankosky
Maximum of 5 students
Workshop format for post-2020 WW graduates (or previous year grads). Module learning designed to hone and develop basic, essential skills including boat control, edge control, strokes, entering/exiting eddys, ferrying, moving across current and self-rescue. Practice in a location where you are able to repeat the moves to build consistency then practice implementing them on the run from the Glen to JT. *Prerequisite Skills: Completed at least two weeks of the WTC WW training program. Students must have completed this section of river in training.
Course Fee: $20
August 29th – Intermediate Paddlers’ – Coached River Trip
Lehigh – White Haven to Rockport – Instructors – Jack Lewnard
Maximum of 5 students
Build your skills and confidence on the Upper Lehigh; practice new and challenging lines
Focus on boat control in current, entering/exiting eddys
Weather dependent gear is required
*Prerequisite Skills: Very comfortable on the Upper Lehigh
Course Fee: $20
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER
Tentative – September 19th– Safety Program – Level 2/3 Safety and Rescue Class
Location – tbd – Instructor – Susan Wentz
Number of students: Minimum of 3; Maximum of 10
Basic Safety and Rescue skill such as recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques, and simple rescues of paddlers in distress. Emphasis is placed both on personal safety and on simple, commonly used skills. This course is aimed primarily at new boaters or as a refresher *Prerequisite Skills: Instructor will advise on sign-up
Course Fees: $20/course and $10 equipment fee, if applicable to course
Tentative – October 24th – Safety Program – Level 2/3 Safety and Rescue Class
Location – tbd – Instructor – Susan Wentz
Number of students: Minimum of 3; Maximum of 10
Basic Safety and Rescue skill such as recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques, and simple rescues of paddlers in distress. Emphasis is placed both on personal safety and on simple, commonly used skills. This course is aimed primarily at new boaters or as a refresher *Prerequisite Skills: Instructor will advise on sign-up
Course Fees: $20/course and $10 equipment fee, if applicable to course