CW Training Camp 2010
May 15th - 16th
Join us as we jump-start the whitewater season with a weekend of boating, camping, and fun!
Come join your Colorado Whitewater friends at Training Camp, the CW's largest annual event. You can learn new skills, meet new paddling buddies, and build confidence on the water by paddling with skilled kayakers. Off-river activities will include group dinner and breakfast, plenty of campfire time, and even live entertainment!
Schedule | Who Can Attend | Cost | Register Online! | How to Get There | What to Bring | Skills Assessment | Classes | Volunteer | Questions
2010 Schedule (preliminary)
Friday May 14
1 pm - 10 pm - Check in at the Loma Linda KOA Campground, Cotopaxi, Colorado
Saturday May 15
8:30 a.m. Introductions, Stretching and Safety Talk. Break into small groups
9:30 a.m. Head out to the river
4:00 p.m. Everyone back safely at the KOA for fun and games
6:00 p.m. Catered dinner
8:00 p.m. Live Entertainment -
Sunday May 16
7:30 a.m. Catered breakfast. Break down campsites before heading to the river; leave cars at KOA lot.
8:30 a.m. Awards and stretching.
9:00 a.m. Break into small groups and head out to the river.
3:00 p.m. Head home happily after another successful and fun Training Camp!
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Who Can Attend
You must be a current CW member (through May 2010) to register for Training Camp. To join or renew visit the Membership page.
Boating Kids must be 12 years or older by May 15th 2010, weigh at least 50 lbs, and must be accompanied in Class by a parent.
Families, children, and friends are welcome, whether they are boating or not. Children must be under adult supervision at all times. Dogs must be leashed AND SUPERVISED AT ALL TIMES. Please call the KOA for more information on their policies regarding pets.
Unattended dogs have a tendency to bark. Therefore, if you do leave your dog unattended, the owners of the KOA reserve the right to call local authorities to remove the animal at your expense. If you want to make a reservation with our (tentative) “At-Camp” dogsitter, please send an email to PLaBarge@Hotmail.com after your online Training Camp registration is complete. Additional costs will apply (approx $30 for both days). “Space”reservations are limited.
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Cost
Cost for boating participants: $150 includes two all day on-river training sessions, tent/car camping at the Cotopaxi KOA, Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast as well as evening entertainment. You must provide your own equipment (boat, paddle, spray skirt, helmet, PFD, etc.). Contact PLaBarge@Hotmail.com for info on rentals.
Register now through April 21, 2010 and receive a $25 discount!
Cost for non-boating attendees: $40 includes camping, meals and all activities other than boating sessions.
Refunds: If something comes up and you cannot attend Training Camp, you can apply for a refund. However, the club pays a fee for processing credit cards and we will deduct this convenience fee. No refunds will be available after May 13.
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Registration
2010 registration is closed
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How To Get There
From Canyon City: Take Highway 50 west for 35 miles (when you get to the tiny blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town of Texas Creek, you only have five miles to go). The KOA will be on your right.
From Salida: Take Highway 285 south to Highway 50. Take Highway 50 east for approximately 25 miles. The KOA will be on your left, near mile marker 247. The phone number for the KOA is 800-KOA-2686 or 719-275-9308. www.ColoradoCampingKOA.com
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What To Bring
Boating gear: boat, paddle, spray skirt, helmet, PFD (life jacket). Nose plugs are highly recommended.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME, please check to be sure that:
- your boat has foot pegs or a bulkhead (which have been adjusted to fit you)
- your boat has adequate flotation (inflatable bags that fit inside your boat)
- your float bags are secured, so that they will not come out of the boat and float down the river if your boat fills with water
- your spray skirt fits your boat and your body: you can put it on your boat on your own, you can release it with one hand, and it does not release on its own. We recommend a neoprene or similar spray skirt, instead of nylon
- your boat has a drain plug, (if it is equipped for one)
- your helmet and PFD fit properly
- your boat is padded so that you are comfortable, but snug inside
- all your personal gear is labeled with your name and phone number. If you are renting equipment, please check each point listed above before you leave the shop; you may not be able to do anything about padding other than rent a different boat. Ask the staff to help you!
Clothing: be prepared for cold water and all types of weather (sun, rain, snow). Wetsuit, dry top, polypro/fleece tops, and neoprene booties are highly recommended. You may want neoprene gloves or pogies (paddle mitts) and a skullcap if it gets really cold. Extra clothing in a small dry bag can be carried in your boat. Don’t forget sunscreen and sunglasses! Ask us if you need advice.
Lunch for each day, in a waterproof container; and drinking water for the day.
Cash for Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) fees. The AHRA is a state park, and daily fees are $2 per person. An annual State Parks pass will cover the fee. Annual passes cost $60 and can be bought online at http://parks.state.co.us/home; at many Albertsons, King Soopers, Safeway and City Market stores, Golden River Sports in Golden and REI in Denver.
Camping and personal gear. Hot showers, bathrooms, and barbecue grills are provided. You bring everything else. Be prepared for sun, wind, rain, and snow. The KOA also has cabins for rent (for an extra fee) if you are interested in extra comfy accommodations. Reservations must be made through the KOA.
Dinner and breakfast food, and some way to cook it (if necessary). Two catered meals are provided but you still need to bring your own Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, and lunches. Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast are the only catered meals.
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On your registration form let us know your skill level using the guidelines below.
Be conservative when evaluating your skills. Boaters who have overestimated their abilities may be asked to leave the river or at a minimum to step-down a level (Note: Instructors for Training Camp Weekend have the final "say" in safety and boating concerns when it comes to the assessment of your skills on the river).
- Level A
This category fits for you if: you have never been in a boat. HOWEVER, we STRONGLY prefer you have at least 6 hours of formal flat-water instruction (or are intending to take flat-water courses before Training Camp) which can include pool session lessons (at a bare-minimum, you are required to know the use of all your equipment and the “wet-exit”). Also, this category fits if you have not been on OR are not comfortable on moving water. We encourage you to be aware of (and hopefully have practiced) the concepts on moving water of eddy turns, peel-outs, the cross-river ferry and the combat roll.
SPECIAL NOTE: For Level A Boaters - If you have never been on moving water, we STRONGLY suggest you take an “Introduction to Moving Water” course BEFORE Training Camp Weekend as the water tends to be reactionary from winter/spring run-off on the Arkansas River in May. We want you to have FUN – not end-up swimming all weekend! Good News: Colorado Whitewater offers a 50% discount for our Moving Water (and of course Flat Water) Courses if you sign up in advance for Training Camp. Prices are VERY reasonable so please see our “Instruction Page” on our website for a listing of classes and dates (space is limited). Or, contact Kent Montgomery for discount, scheduling and more information at Kentm@ColoradoWhitewater.org.
- Level B
This category fits if: you have been in a kayak on moving water (you have had 6 hours or more of formal moving water instruction). You have performed a wet exit on moving water and are comfortable with T rescues. You can at least attempt a combat roll and have a 50% success rate (rolling upright). You can maneuver your boat with 100% control on flat water. You know what an eddy turn, a peel out and a cross-river ferry are and have sufficient practice on moving water with these concepts with at least an 80% success rate (without flipping over).
- Level C
This category fits if: you have a solid flat-water roll (100%) and are totally comfortable doing peel outs, ferrying and catching eddies on moving water. You are completely confident on Class II whitewater and want to improve your skills. You have at least an 85% success rate with your combat roll.
- Level D
This category fits if: you have a solid river combat roll (100%) and are comfortable and want to improve your skills in Class III whitewater. You should consider volunteering for Training Camp if you are at this level. The more-the merrier and we’d appreciate the help! It’s all about giving back.
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Classes
On your registration form let us know your class preference from the list below.
Getting Started (Level A)
Saturday/Sunday Package: New to kayaking? This session starts on flat water (the first half of the day) where you will learn (or review) basic skills including safety, familiarization with your equipment, and boat handling. At the end of the first day and continuing on the second day the groups will graduate to easy sections of moving water.
Float Trip (Levels B, C, and D)
Offered Saturday and/or Sunday. No frills, no thrills, this is a gentle float down a quiet stretch of moving water. No pressure, no skills drills, just easygoing fun in a kayak or duckie.
Skills Drills (Levels B, C, and D)
Offered Saturday and/or Sunday. Work on basic skills such as paddle strokes, catching eddies, peel outs, ferries, rolling and river reading. Participants are encouraged to ask lots of questions and let trip coordinators know which skills they most want to work on. Emphasis will be placed on river running and skills drills.
Intro to Playboating (Level C and D Only)
Offered Saturday only. Learn beginner playboating skills such as surfing waves, stern squirts and side surfing. This group requires solid river skills and a solid river roll. This class will start with flat water maneuvers and move to the play park (water level permitting).
Reading Whitewater (Levels B, C and D)
Offered Saturday only. So you are getting down river OK but you have anxiety about finding the best route through a rapid? This class will develop your ability to visually dissect whitewater and better understand the forces at work. Be more confident in your ability to negotiate a rapid and to recognize typical obstacles you may encounter.
Basic Safety Class (Levels B, C, and D)
Offered Sunday only. This is a one-day class designed for newer paddlers who want to learn the basics of whitewater safety, rescue skills, and how to stay safe on the river. The class will be taught on Sunday in conjunction with the CW Training Camp. There will be exercises in safely swimming a rapid, and practice sessions with throw bags and live swimmers.
The class is half dry land and half on the water. Bring a chair to be comfortable for the morning dry land activities. You must have appropriate attire for afternoon the water activities as we promise you will be wet and cold. A dry suit or a wetsuit with a paddling top are strongly encouraged. Thick-soled shoes (preferably closed toe), helmet, and PDF are required.
Learn to Lead (Level C and D Only)
Offered Sunday only. This class will cover the skills you need to lead your own trips. Students should be skilled paddlers who don't need guidance and have experience as a sweep boater.
Have you ever wondered how to pick a river, put a group on, and lead them down the river to the takeout? How to make sure your charges are prepared and not in over their heads and how to get the group safely down river? This class will cover the mechanics of putting a trip together, how to manage that group on the river, and how to lead them through rapids. The class will also review safety topics including throw rope handling, swimmer rescue, rescue priority, and hypothermia.
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Volunteer NEEDED
As in past years, we are looking for advanced boaters to help lead and sweep. We are also looking for an “At-Camp” dog sitter or two.If you are willing to volunteer to help make TC a success, please send a message to Patty at plabarge@hotmail.com. Please RSVP as soon as possible for organizational purposes. Please specify if you have a current First Aid/CPR certification (not required, but preferred) and if you would like to Lead or Sweep. Please also let me know what levels or classes you are interested in volunteering for (not guaranteed, but I will do my best).
Questions?
Email Patty LaBarge at plabarge@hotmail.com.
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