River Trips

HALF DAY & FULL DAY - Beginner, intermediate & advanced lessons!

Mountain Whitewater Descents offers kayaking lessons for every level of paddler, from beginners who have never been in a boat to intermediate or advanced paddlers who want to their skills to progress.

 

All kayak lessons have a maximum of six students per instructor and 12 students per class.

Here are all of the kayak classes and/or guided kayak trips that we offer:

Kayak Roll Class

Classes every Monday throughout the summer season. Most beginner roll classes take place at McMurry Pond, however, roll classes for paddlers with some experience may be held on the Cache la Poudre River. Reservations are required in advance for all roll classes and equipment is provided.

Cost: $50 for 3 hour lesson (1 hour classroom, 2 hour water time) or $75.00 for a 3 hour private lesson

Intermediate River Lessons

Class III-IV whitewater on the Cache la Poudre River. This class focuses on helping an intermediate paddler progress their skill set to become more confident on the river.

The lesson teaches paddling techniques & beginning freestyle moves. Advanced and freestyle lessons are available upon request. Reservations are required.

Cost: $95

Novice River Excursion

Class II-III whitewater on the Cache la Poudre River. This excursion is on the Filter Plant section of the Cache la Poudre River and is designed to provide on-river instruction for experienced beginner.

The class will cover topics like proper paddle strokes, reading water and currents, eddies and tips on rolling.

Cost: $79

Never-Ever River Extravaganza

Class II-III whitewater on the Cache la Poudre River. All equipment is provided for both Never-Ever trips. The course consists of classroom & pond lessons in the morning of the first day. On-river paddling on the Filter Plant section in the afternoon and all day the second day (for the two-day class).

Cost: $150 full day

Cost: $300 two-day

Basic itinerary for a full-day, beginner kayak lesson:

9am – Check-in

9:30am – Intro to Kayaking Equipment & Fitting Equipment at MWD

10am – Go to McMurray Pond

1. Wet Exits
2. Forward Strokes
3. Bracing Strokes
4. Sweep Strokes
5. Paddling Drills

11:30am – Lunch

12:30 – Meet back @ MWD and drive to the river

1:20 – 1:50 pm – Put-on the river

1. River Anatomy
2. Eddy Work Out Drills (Peel out, turns & catching eddies)
3. Run Filter Plant Section
4. Catch Eddies
5. Ferry Angles and Ferries
6. Peel Outs
7. Reading River Features
8. Possibility take second run on the Filter Plant Section

5:00 pm – Take-out and finish for the day