hello there and welcome to the bow valley kayak clubs "Kids in Kayaks" program.

this program is made especially for younger children, aged 8-12, that are very keen to paddle down rivers. We are now in a fantastic position to be offering this program with modern, youth specific equipment,  and probably the most scenic location in the world that a course like this could be done. 

the goal of this program is to give the participants the bug for river kayaking. over 8 sessions we take small steps in controlled environments to ensure a lot of fun is had as we learn to navigate the bow valley's alpine waterways.

The 8 sessions of the course are done over 7 weeks on Thursday evenings with the exception of week 2 which will have two sessions. One in the Canmore swimming pool on the Tuesday and one outdoor session on the Thursday.

The course locations and the content are very predictable in the first half of the course. after the first 5 sessions it will greatly depend on how the group are getting on and what they would like to do more or less of. the timings are usually going to be from 1730 until 2030.

Course itinerary:
week one: learn all about our equipment, safe loading and unloading, lifting carrying and launching, how to balance in the boat, how to use the paddle and what we wear for kayaking. (exshaw boat launch)
week two  (tuesday pool session): learn how to flip the thing over. how to empty it of all the water. how to get back in it. how to help your buddy flip over etc...
Week two 2 (thursday outdoor session): learn how to make the boat go from a to b and ideally back to a again. (this session most likely done at rundle forebay reservoir)
week 3: gain comfort playing games, swimming and tipping over in cold water. (quarry lake)
Week 4: how to paddle in moving water and recognize places to stop. introduce eddy turns and ferries across the river. (rundle hydro plant - canmore)


for all enquiries you can call the course conductor, Robbie, at:
587 585-8711
or email us at 
[email protected]