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INSTRUCTION

(For more detailed information call us at (888) 790-7235 or email us at ors@oregonriversports.com

Oregon River Sports is proud to offer a wide range of water related classes, clinics, and workshops to get you out and about on Oregon's challenging and beautiful waterways. We offer instruction in whitewater kayaking, touring or recreational kayak paddle and rescue skills, certified river rescue, paddle rafting, rowing, and canoeing. Our motivated and professionally trained staff are people just like you, who share a love of water and a willingness to try new things and learn from the journey at hand. Learning some basics and building a solid, safety oriented foundation will help protect you from the potential dangers inherent on our rivers, lakes, and oceans and enable you to enjoy many future adventures on the water. Spring classes will be starting soon, scroll down or click on the links to the right to see what we have to offer. Also, don't forget to check out our kayak roll classes. They happen all winter long and are held in the comfort of a heated pool. 		Whitewater Kayaking I

Whitewater Kayaking II

Roll Classes

Sea Kayak Paddle and Rescue Skills

Certified Whitewater Rescue Technician

Flatwater Canoe Paddling

Rafting Skills

Inflatable Kayaking Skills

Flatwater Paddling Skills

Moving Water Paddling Skills

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2010 CLASSES AND CLINICS

FAMILY KAYAKING INTRODUCTORY CLASS
This class is an introductory class for beginners.  A small taste of what kayaking is about.  The course covers wet exiting the kayak, forward and sweep strokes, bracing maneuvers and buddy (TX) rescue techniques. This class is offered through Willamalane Park & Recreation and takes place in a warm pool at Willamalane Pool off Mohawk and 'G' Street in Springfield. The class is on Thursday 7-8:30pm and Saturday 11:45-1pm..
COST: Set by Willamalane Park & Rec.
Call Willamalane Pool at 541-736-4080 to register for this class.
4-person minimum; 8-person maximum. Boats and equipment included.
DATES: Feb 25 & 27, March 11 & 13, April 29 & May 1

SEA KAYAK ~ RECREATION KAYAK PADDLING and RESCUE SKILLS
Come experience the solitude, fluidity, and freedom sea kayaking or recreational kayaking has to offer! Imagine slipping through quiet waters, exploring the beaches and coves of Waldo Lake, or watching a heron take off from an estuary right in front of you. Oregon River Sports offers an  class allaydesigned to give you the basic skills needed to go off and safely explore your backyard's beautiful flat waters. The course covers forward and sweep strokes, bracing maneuvers, self-reself rescue technique for effectively dealing with wind and waves. You'll finish the course with the confidence that come with knowing you can take care of yourself and others when you paddle your kayak.
COST: $120.00 per person.
4-person minimum; 8-person maximum. Boats and equipment included.
DATES: May 2, June 5, July 10, July 24, Aug. 22

Please sign-up for classes two weeks in advance.
For more detailed information call us at (888) 790-7235 or email us at ors@oregonriversports.com



WHITEWATER KAYAKING I
This 5-day class is the perfect introduction to whitewater kayaking. We will start slow and easy with two evenings in the pool and a third evening on a lake to learn basic paddle strokes, bracing, and rescue techniques. This time allows us to become familiar with the handling of the kayaks and makes the transition to whitewater a little easier. We then take all the basics to the Willamette and McKenzie Rivers for two days of eddy turns, peel-outs, ferries, reading whitewater, identifying hazards, and learning safety on the water. With this course we also offer a $75 discount on the purchase of a new kayak plus one free rental for extra practice! Maximum student:instructor ratio is 4:1 on flatwater; 2.5:1 on moving water.
COST: $325.00 per person.
4-person minimum; 8-person maximum. Boats and equipment included.
DATES: May 3-9, July 5-11, August TBA

Please sign-up for classes two weeks in advance.
For more detailed information call us at (888) 790-7235 or email us at ors@oregonriversports.com



WHITEWATER KAYAKING II
This class launches where the last one took out and the real fun begins. Now that you understand the basic concepts of all the strokes, it's time to start playing with the river. By gently guiding your exploration of current, we'll teach you the most efficient and safest techniques involved with reading the river, ferrying, surfing, and lots more. This class is two full days on the McKenzie River. Our goal is to improve your comfort level and boat control to make you a more confident paddler. Maximum student:instructor ratio is 3:1.
COST: $175.00 per person.
3-person minimum; 6-person maximum. Boats and equipment included.
DATES: Classes will be scheduled based on interest.

Please sign-up for classes two weeks in advance.
For more detailed information call us at (888) 790-7235 or email us at ors@oregonriversports.com


ROLL CLASSES
Our roll classes take place most Wednesday nights from 7:45-9:45 p.m. at Willamalane pool in Springfield. You'll learn the wet exit, T rescue, and the basic components necessary for a strong roll. The class includes kayak rentals, and you may repeat it as often as you'd like. Please sign up in advance. Maximum student:instructor ratio is 4:1.
COST: $40.00 per person for the first class; $25 for each additional class.
DATES: Every Wednesday evening - Please sign-up the day before (Tuesday) by 2:00PM for this class.
COST TO RENT A KAYAK TO PRACTICE ON YOUR OWN: $10.00 per boat
COST TO RENT A SPACE TO PRACTICE ON YOUR OWN: $5.00 per person

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WHITEWATER RESCUE TECHNICIAN (WRT) CERTIFICATION RIVER RESCUE CLASS
Knowing how to react if something goes wrong on the river can save lives. This course is essential for anyone spending a lot of time on the water or leading groups of boaters. We will be out on local streams so be prepared to get wet and do some drills! This three day class will cover techniques that will teach you how to rescue pinned and runaway boats, swim through and deal with strainers, and perform technical rope rescues. You'll feel more comfortable dealing with many types of river emergencies using proven methods and common sense. Participants who successfully complete this class will receive a Whitewater Rescue Technician certification, recognized by Rescue 3 International.
COST: $325.00 per person.
8-person minimum; 12-person maximum
DATES: March 19-21, April 16-18, June 18-20

Please sign-up for classes two weeks in advance.
For more detailed information call us at (888) 790-7235 or email us at ors@oregonriversports.com


Rescue exercise


FLAT WATER CANOE PADDLING
A canoe's versatility is what makes this craft so appealing. This course is designed to teach you basic skills so you can develop confidence while paddling your canoe. Proper stroke techniques, maneuvering, stability control, and the advanced cross draw will be covered in this enjoyable day on a local lake. You'll also learn safety and rescue procedures that will enable you to rescue yourself and others.
COST: $120.00 per person; $220 per couple.
4-person minimum; 12-person maximum. Boats and equipment included.
DATES:  June 13, July 11, August 21, September 4


Whitewater rafters RAFTING SKILLS
This course is not a ploy to suggest employment--it is not a "guide school," with an offer of potential employment. This is a class (two day) where we will share with you rafting skills. You'll learn not only the on-river paddling, rowing, and reading water skills; not just the flipped raft recoveries or the practicing of reflex reactions to the emergency commands "high side" or "jump to." Our Rafting Skills class will include other skills, such as proper care and inflation of the rafts. We will discuss different kinds of raft material and how to use proper glues and tools to complete successful and strong repairs. We will take a look at designs, see how they differ and learn what the different features actually do. We will explore myths and learn facts about inflatables. We also cover safety, recovery of gear, minimal equipment mechanical advantage, quick fixes on river repairs, and first aid. We will discuss proper clothing for you and the people with whom you are boating, and we will address hypothermia diagnosis and prevention. We will also share and suggest personal gear for day and extended day trips. This class includes an enormous agenda. It will make demands on you physically and test your stamina. This is a two day class, and each day on the river will be followed by a three hour evening session. This course will not give you all the skills necessary to qualify you as a guide or an expert rafter. But what you learn during this course will help you become a prepared and valuable employee to river outfitters searching for qualified guides or make you a safe and competent private rafter. Maximum student:instructor ratio is 4:1.
COST: $275.00 per person.
4-person minimum; 8-person maximum. Rafting equipment, safety and rescue gear and personal cold water wear (wetsuits, booties, splash jackets, and helmets) included. Drysuits available to rent at the reduced rate of $40 for the duration of the class.
DATES: If interest in this class call or email us and we will arrange a date that works for the group!


INFLATABLE KAYAK SKILLS
This one day course is designed for those who are seeking whitewater thrills on a more personal level. Inflatable kayaks are more forgiving than hard shell kayaks, yet they are fast and maneuverable. This course is an excellent introduction to river paddling skills. We will demonstrate to you efficient paddle strokes, reading whitewater, ferries, self rescue techniques, and proper swimming techniques. Students will have ample opportunity to practice each skill individually. Maximum student:instructor ratio is 4:1.
COST: $120.00 per person.
4-person minimum; 8-person maximum. Boats and equipment included.
DATES: May 1, June 6, July 3, July 25, August 14

Please sign-up for classes two weeks in advance.
For more detailed information call us at (888) 790-7235 or email us at ors@oregonriversports.com



FLATWATER PADDLING SKILLS (evening class)
This course is designed for those seeking to improve their skills or to obtain advanced flatwater paddling instruction for either canoes or kayaks. Emphases on forward paddling, back paddling, turns and bracing. Intermediate to advanced paddlers.
This class is a Thursday evening class 5:00pm - 8:00pm. Maximum student:instructor ratio is 4:1.
COST: $40.00 per person.
4-person minimum; 4-person maximum. Boats and equipment included.
DATES: May 6; June 24; July 22, August 5

MOVING WATER PADDLING SKILLS
This course is designed for those seeking to improve their skills or to obtain advanced moving water paddling instruction in either a canoe or kayak. The emphasis is on getting comfortable in slow moving rivers. We cover peel-outs, eddie turns and up-stream ferries. Intermediate to advanced paddlers.
This class is a Thursday evening class from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. Maximum student:instructor ratio is 4:1.  (Intermediate to Advanced Paddlers)
COST: $60.00 per person.
4-person minimum; 8-person maximum. Boats and equipment included.
DATES: June 17; July 8; July 21; August 12


Please sign-up for classes two weeks in advance.
Contact Us at: ors@oregonriversports.com



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This page was last edited 1/13/10.