Courses + Workshops
AO staff are Leave No Trace Master Educator certified and American Canoe Association (ACA) Level I and II River Kayak Instructor certified. As our paddling, cycling, mountain biking, and backpacking community grows, we're excited to offer courses and workshops to pass along what we've learned over the years. Below you'll find our courses and workshops!
Fix-a-Flat Workshop
Duration: 1.5 hours, Cost: $5
Come learn how to fix-a-flat with Aaron in the repair shop! You’ll leave understanding the tools needed and technique used to fix a flat tire.
2020 Dates:
Saturday, April 4th, 11:00 am
DNA of a River Workshop
Duration: 1 hour, Cost: $5
Our waterways are always changing. This workshop will focus on what makes up our local creeks and river, how water reacts to those things, and how to decipher and recognize the safest path. Utilizing our "river in a bag", we'll have a hands-on discussion covering how water reacts to river features (downstream and upstream V, eddy, eddy lines, hydraulics, holes, seams and standing waves, etc); and hazards - both natural (sweepers, deadheads, strainers), and man-made (bridges, low-head dams, dredged areas). We'll focus on how these affect the paddling experience and how they change at different water levels.
2020 Dates:
Monday, March 9th, 5:15pm
Beginner SUP Lesson
Duration: 1 hour, Cost: $45
2020 Dates: TBD
This Stand Up Paddle class will introduce you to the sport of SUP. Covering water safety, proper stance/positions, paddle technique and more. Our instructor, Kelly Denny-Wright from Peace, Love and Wellness, holds dual certifications in PaddleFit and Stoked Yogi SUP, and will provide you with the fundamentals of SUP to keep your future paddling endeavors fun and safe! You will need to be comfortable in the water as well as be able to swim. You do not need to have prior paddling experience to take this class.
SmartStart Paddling Orientation
Duration: 2 hours, Cost: $50 ($30 if you purchased your kayak at AO)
The SmartStart Paddling Orientation will expose participants to basic kayak safety and paddling skills, covering the paddling environment, personal preparation, getting in and out of your boat, and basic strokes and maneuvers. This course is great for brand new paddlers that have not spent a lot of time in a kayak. Class size limited to three participants.
2020 Dates:
TBD
Introduction to Kayaking - Level I
Duration: 5 hours, Cost: $65
The Introduction to Kayaking course is designed as a program emphasizing safety, enjoyment and skill acquisition for entry level kayakers. We'll cover personal equipment (types of kayak, paddle and PFD), effectively using a throw rope, kayak carries, loading and unloading from vehicles, basic terminology, land and water etiquette, launching/landing from land and dock, controlled capsize/wet exit, and emptying a kayak. Maneuvers include spin, abeam, forward and stopping. Strokes include forward, back, draw, sculling draw, sweep, reverse sweep, rudder and low brace.
Dates: 2020 Dates TBD
Introduction to River Kayaking
Duration: 7 hours, Cost: $95
Our Intro to River Kayaking course will focus on understanding the features of a river (downstream and upstream V, eddy, eddy lines, hydraulics, holes, seams and standing waves, etc) to better "read the river" while paddling. Participants will leave with a better understanding of US Army Corps of Engineers outflow from Kinzua Dam, monitoring those levels, and how they affect the paddling experience. Participants will also fine-tune strokes and maneuvers learned in the Intro to Kayaking course.
Prerequisite: Intro to Kayaking
Dates: 2020 Dates TBD