Personal First Descent Clinic May 21-22, 2011

PURPOSE – to help develop a finer sense of self-reliance in participants by: helping participants gain confidence in ‘reading the river’ from a ‘front-boat’ perspective:

* how to read water;

* things to keep in mind when scouting from your boat;

* when to get out and shore-scout;

* emphasis on control, safety and fun helping participants gain insight into group dynamics on Class 3/4 whitewater:

* team dynamics – how to be a ‘responsible individual’;

* how to use all available information to evaluate a given situation;

* tips on how to make the run ‘flow’ with a minimum of eddy-sitting down time;

* emphasis on safety and fun suggesting ways to evaluate a given challenge, keeping safety in mind:

* choosing your adventure wisely (including gear and ‘what-if’ considerations);

* can a rapid be boat-scouted safely, or is shore scouting called for?

* how and where to set shore-based and/or boat-based rescue points;

* how to help in a rescue and not become another victim GROUP SIZE / EXPERIENCE:

* clinic will be limited to six participants and two instructors.

* participants should be very comfortable in Class 3 whitewater and reasonably comfortable in Class 4 whitewater.

* participants should have very reliable moving-water rolls

LOCATION:

* choice of river will depend on water levels, but clinic will be conducted on Class 3/4 whitewater

* participants will be contacted prior to clinic dates with final details, including where and when to meet and instructor’s expectations and criteria

* Course is presented by John Zadrozny and Lisa Birskovich

Contact Sharon Myers, CCC Education Chair (education.chair@carolinacanoeclub.org) or John Zadrozny (zdr_j@yahoo.com) to sign up or get more information.