White Water and Ocean Paddling School

INTRODUCTION TO WHITE WATER I
A RIVER JOURNEY

Teachers: Thomas Dammer, Lily Frey, Miron Golfman
7 days, Moderate
Skill level: Beginner
Ages 11-13, June 21-27

Adventuresome students are invited to join this fun-filled kayaking, canoeing and rapid swimming week! After learning basic paddling techniques on the Ashuelot River we will begin a 4-day river expedition. Each day, students will have a chance to paddle kayaks and tandem canoes. Students will learn to read the river’s current, catch eddies, and ferry across the water. Time will be given to basic white water safety and swimming in fast moving waters. In the afternoons, we will set our camp in the woods or on sandbars. After gathering fire wood and doing camp work, there will be time for play and discovery. Days will end with craftwork, a campfire meal, a story and songs that are rhythmically in tune with the moving water of the river. Introduction to White Water II is recommended as the next step in our white water progression. See below.

INTRODUCTION TO WHITE WATER II
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

Teachers: Thomas Dammer, Clara Kazarov, Miron Golfman and Paul Belenky
7 days, Moderate
Skill level: Beginners with interest in white water paddling
and graduates of previous paddling programs
Ages 11-13, July 5-11

This is a sequel to the first week of Introduction to White Water I. It can also be taken independently. Our home base for the week will be the Deerfield River in Western Massachusetts. We will camp in the magical forest by the side of a clear mountain stream and hike down to the river each day to practice kayaking, tandem and solo canoeing, surfing, rolling, river reading and white water swimming techniques. Working in small groups allows us to focus on each students’ needs and learning styles. Kroka’s unique, age appropriate white water curriculum is taught in a cooperative and non-pressured atmosphere. Students learn skills necessary for safe passage in Class II white water and, for those who are ready, to begin tackling Class III paddling. Paddlers’ Journey up North is recommended as the next step in our white water progression. Please see Mixed Age Programs.

SALTY SURVIVAL
A SEA-GOING NOMADIC JOURNEY, AND AN ADVENTURE IN SUSTAINABLE LIVING
PADDLE MAKING AND COASTAL FORAGING *

Teachers: Chris Knapp and Lily Frey
14 days, Moderate
Skill level: Beginner-Advanced
Ages 14-16, July 19-August 1

Imagine… two giant wooden canoes slicing the ocean swells, a stiff salty breeze and 14 paddlers dipping and swinging in unison as they slide through the ruggedly beautiful Maine Coast Islands. We are nomads of the seacoast, on our way to a distant island. That evening we sit and laugh in a circle of friends around a crackling fire as the sun sets and the ocean grows calm… After gathering at Kroka we will travel to Chris’s homestead: Koviashuvik, Local Living School, in Temple, Maine where we stop over on route to the sea. There, we will take two days to craft our own beautiful paddles and participate in the life of a sustainable homestead. We will carve wood, ride a bicycle that powers a washing machine, harvest our food from the garden, and make bread from acorns. At last, with new paddles in hand, we will depart for the sea.

Once at the coast, our focus will be on friction fire, wild foods, artistic craftwork, paddling, coastal navigation and the ancient art of making a home in the wilderness. We will feast on mussels, wild greens, seaweed and snails. We will barter for lobsters from the local fishermen, navigate through thick fog and riptides, and carve our bowls from the curious burls that grow on island trees. This is a trip about living off the land and the thrill of the open ocean. It is about forming friendships that last. It is about accomplishments, searching for meaning, and sharing the joys of our salty, nomadic life.

PADDLERS JOURNEY UP NORTH

Teachers: Thomas Dammer, Misha Golfman, and Kroka junior white water staff
14 days, Moderate-Strenuous
Skill level: For students who have completed Intro to White Water or Paddlers Up North programs or have other previous white water experience.
Ages: 12-18, July 19-August 1

We are so excited to return to our traditional training grounds with a new generation of paddlers!
Our first few days will be spent at Kroka Village packing, reviewing basics and making a piece of white water gear (in the past students have made helmets, paddles, life jackets and rescue ropes).
When ready, we will move our camp to the Androscoggin River in Northern New Hampshire and spend several days at Errol Rapids (Class II). Here students will work in small groups practicing tandem and solo canoeing, kayaking and white water swimming. More experienced students will take day trips to the nearby Magalloway River and Pontooks Rapids (Class III). At the end of our Androscoggin experience, we will take a day to visit our friends at Mahoosuc Guide Service for a service project on their sled dog farm. On route there, we will slide down some amazing, natural water slides.
The next day we will paddle across the spectacular Lake Umbagog into Maine to the mouth of the Rapid River and establish a bush camp. Surrounded by the quiet wilderness of the northern forest the Rapid River has beautiful white water to offer for all experience levels (Class II-IV). We will spend our last several days paddling, fishing and playing at Smooth Ledge—our favorite surf spot. Our ride home will incorporate a stop at the infamous pink ice cream shack!