Instructional Programs

2012 Kids Kamp Program

June 24-29 Sunday PM-Friday PM

July 15-20 Sunday PM-Friday PM

August 5-10 Sunday PM-Friday PM

Our Riversport Kid’s Camp programs have been called everything from …“One of the best kid’s camp programs in the country” to ….”Amazing how much instruction the kid’s receive for the price.”

We take a combination of having a excellent location with great rivers, and take a excellent staff of diverse instructors. Our staff includes a pro paddler from Team Pyranha US, a PSIA certified ski instructor from Aspen, high school educators, to National Geographic sponsored explorers.  When you add the kids into the mix and you get a great week of fun progressive instruction based learning. Most of our students go from Class I Beginners to Class III and the Lower Yough.  Our advanced group will learn new play boating moves and how to run a waterfall correctly. During the week, students are able to check out the new sport of Stand Up Paddle Boarding. We hop on boards at the Yough Lake during our evening cook out, and then take it down the river through class II rapids. Sort of a break in the week’s action. Each session we paddle at the Adventure Sports Center Institute, Yough River, Cheat Narrows, Valley Falls, and Cassleman Rivers or where ever the rain takes us.

Our program’s main focus is to build confidence and skills in younger paddlers, while providing a safe learning environment. Each day we take our students through a progression that allows each paddler to develop a understanding of river running techniques, self rescue, river rescue, play boating, and creek boating skills. Our week begins on the Yough Lake above our river store location. From here we divide groups in to appropriate levels of abilities to begin a great week of learning.

• All transportation & equipment is provided if needed (kayak, paddle, spray skirt, helmet, pfd)
• All meals are provided by the Lucky Dog Café
• Camping at Paddler’s Lane Campground (newly added bathhouse) Previously Riversport’s campground.
• Students supervised at all times.
• Ages 10-15

Cost: $499

SUP

2.5 hr session $65
Full Day Session $125
Includes SUP board, paddle, PFD, and helmet

Riversport introduces the latest sport of SUP to the Yough Valley. What a better way to incorporate the fun of surfing and kayaking into one? We have a variety of SUP boards for you to try out on flatwater or to take into class II whitewater. Once you’re comfortable SUP’in rent a board and take it out on your own!

Parent & Child Camp

August 1-5 Monday-Friday

There is nothing better than spending quality time with family. Now just add a little white water action and fun with some great instruction. Mix it all together and you get a week of learning quality skills, camping under the stars, paddling with some of the best instructors, and taking home experiences that will always be special memories.

We begin with focusing on the essentials of kayaking. All skill levels are welcome. We take students and establish goals for the week. Then, we are off to the river to for some good times. As the week moves forward, we will bring the family members back together to finish out a great session on the river.

Cost: $600 for Parent and Child
Add $150 for each additional member

All equipment included, and lunch is provided by the Lucky Dog Café each day.

Beginner White Water

Our beginner class starts with creating a solid foundation of skills that will allow you to confidently go forward to our next day of instruction, or to take home and practice. The course begins on the warm waters of the Yough Lake, and finishes at our camp location at Ram Cat Rapid on the Middle Yough, or lower Cassleman River.

This course is for the true first time kayaker, or recreational kayaker looking to cross over to the wonderful world of white water. Our canoe classes are oriented towards paddlers who have some experience in slow/ moving water, but no knowledge of formal canoe strokes like Cross Draw or J-Stroke.
*We recommend a 2 day course to really create a solid foundation of skills, or private instruction

Cost $125 – includes kayak equipment transportation, and lunch at our cafe

Course time: 9AM – 4PM

Novice White Water

Our next course moves into the exciting realm of learning stronger skills in Class II+ white water. In this course we will continue on from the previous day’s lesson, or begin with a on water analysis of your current ability level. Generally, the early part of the day will focus on learning the “Sweep,” or “C-to-C” roll in the morning. During the afternoon we move to Class II+ moving water to practice more rolling in moving water, but more importantly dialing in your paddling technique.

Most students who take this course have had some experience on moving water in a kayak, but still need improvement/ confidence in Class II whitewater. Open Boat canoe classes focus on eddy turns and peel outs. We also focus on linking “combination strokes” to give more control and acceleration while in a canoe.

Cost $125 – includes kayak equipment transportation, and lunch at our cafe

Course time: 9AM – 4PM

Intermediate White Water

At this level, students are ready for more of a challenge under the watchful guidance of their instructor. You should have a good flat water roll, and experience in Class II and may be some Class III whitewater. Students should have good boat control doing eddy turns and peel outs. We start by taking students to a easy class II+ section of river to warm up and review their abilities before heading out to our favorite section on the lower Yough called the “Loop.” This section allows us tap into world renowned classic class III whitewater.

Students experience stronger river flows, gradient, and faster current. We also begin to introduce mild play on certain river features such as catching small waves to feel the sensation of surfing on water. Good technique is also emphasized. Open boater canoe students should have a knowledge of strokes, eddy turns/ peel out and would like to work up to the Lower Yough.

Cost $125 – includes kayak equipment transportation, and lunch at our cafe

Course time: 9AM – 4PM

Advanced White Water

Students are ready to paddle the whole Lower Yough. We spend a full day on the river working on river running techniques and tapping into the many great play features on the Yough. This course will show students the proper way of running technical lines, proper surfing methods, flat spins, cartwheels, and other moves on the water. What ever the goals for the day, we offer flexibility to meet your needs.

Cost $125 – includes kayak equipment transportation, and lunch at our cafe

Course time: 9AM – 4PM

Paddler $aver $eries

Improve or learn to kayak roll in this 2½ hour session that takes you to a warm calm environment on the Yough Lake. Fine tune the essential roll that will work best with your learning style, and kayak design. C-to-C Roll or Sweep Roll will be presented.

Cost $45 /person

Course time: Every Friday 9AM

Adventure Recreational Kayak Course

Even though we offer instruction on the calm pristine Youghiogheny lake, there is more fun just below along the mild and scenic Middle Yough River (Class I-Class II). We use recreational, and day touring kayaks to explore this excellent section of river. This class is all about learning proper strokes, self rescue techniques, natural history of the area, and how to turn your Rec kayak into a vehicle for visiting beautiful rivers with mild whitewater. Our classes begin at 10 a.m. at the Riversport Store and finishes at 3 p.m. in Ohiopyle.

Cost $120 /person – includes equipment and lunch

Course time: 10AM – 3PM