Oregon kayaking private instruction and Washington kayak lessons

Pool Sessions in our Private On-Site Pool

Course Length: 2 Hours

Requirements: Good health and positive attitude, no experience necessary

Price Per Session: $45 (includes all necessary equipment)

Price for a 3-session package: $120 (includes all necessary equipment)

HOT NEWS! WINTER SESSIONS: We are offering regular indoor pool sessions through the Fall and Winter paddling season. Get more info or check out our winter pool session schedule!

Wet Planet is the area's only kayak school with an on-site private pool dedicated to teaching whitewater kayaking skills.

We offer two hour pool sessions designed to refine basic whitewater kayaking skills. With a private kayak-dedicated pool and skilled ACA certified instructors, we have the flexibility to focus on any skills you are interested in working on, from the basics of a wet-exit to flat water freestyle moves. So, take a Wet Planet pool session and finally master the roll you have been struggling with, improve your technique, or just regain your confidence before heading out onto the river. At Wet Planet, our pool is dedicated to teaching kayaking, so you won't find yourself competing with swimmers and other pool users or paying additional pool fees to get into the water.

"Two days after returning from my final day with you this last Monday, after practicing in the lake for three hours straight two days in a row, I got the sweep roll down pat! Thanks Andy! You were right, it was all in my head. You're the bomb man! Donna is close ... Thanks again for a super weekend. Both of us learned a lot, and you've given us a tremendous boost in our kayaking skills. We plan on hooking up with you next year so you can take us to the next level." Doug, Hayden, ID

Most paddlers find that one of the following core curriculum pool sessions fit their needs:

Pool Session Level 1: This session is for whitewater paddlers that either have no experience in a kayak or have only been in a kayak a few times and do not yet have a roll. In this session, we begin by making sure that students can effectively execute a wet-exit (exiting the kayak while it is upside down in the water). We then work on developing an understanding of the fundamentals of the C-to-C kayak roll, by stepping through a standard progression including hip snaps, T-rescues, and the dynamics of the roll. Students will benefit from hands on instruction throughout this session, as the instructor is in the pool with the student helping them through each step of the progression.

Pool Session Level 2 (the roll): This session is for whitewater kayakers that have previous experience or instruction with the roll but are not yet able to execute a successful roll regularly. In this session, our instructors provide hands on instruction and coaching to help students master the individual components of the C-to-C roll, enabling students to practice their rolls much more comfortably and more confidently.

Pool Session Level 2 (the brace): While many paddlers dedicate lots of energy and importance to the roll, we find that the real trick to kayaking is staying up-right in the first place. For this reason, we believe that solid bracing techniques are essential to the success of any kayaker. In this session, we introduce and practice the different techniques needed to keep your kayak right-side up using both the low brace and the high brace. We also work to ensure that students can recognize the different advantages and disadvantages of the two important braces.

Pool Session Level 3: This session is designed for paddlers that already have a successful roll, but want to either improve their roll or help develop proficiency in other rolls (off-side, sweep roll, back deck roll, etc.). Our instructors will work with you in a hands-on environment to improve the individual components of your roll or to learn new roll techniques.

Winter Pool Sessions for 2008 / 2009:

Wet Planet Whitewater is offering indoor pool courses this Fall, Winter, and early Spring, for both people interested in getting an introduction to whitewater kayaking and kayakers looking to fine-tune their rolls and paddling skills. In an effort to help boaters in our community connect with each other, we are also including a “Social Hour” after each pool session in one of Hood Rivers coolest coffee shops - Dog River. This “Social Hour” will combine a cool paddling related slide show and/or talk with time just hanging out and sharing stories with other boaters (maybe figure out where you might be paddling the next day). The schedule:

November 22
The Pool Session: Kayaking Fundamentals– Rolling, edging, bracing, and paddle strokes

Topic: “The Kamchatka Project” – What is this paddling expedition all about and how can YOU be involved? Andy Round will talk about the goal of the trip and his involvement.

December 13
The Pool Session: Advanced rolling – Want to learn a better roll? Or learn different types of rolls for different situations? Or increase the efficiency of the rolls you already use? Learn how to back-deck/freestyle roll, hand roll, etc? If you are using older rolling techniques you will learn new ways to roll, practice and train for these rolls in this 2-hour pool session.

Coffee Shop Topic: “Dreaming of warm water paddling? See photos and video from some of our tropical paddling trips, and share tips and experiences to help plan your next Central or South American paddling trip.Coffee Shop

January 24
The Pool Session: Playboating Maneuvers – Learn flatwater moves and drills to help improve your playboating skills.

Coffee Shop Topic: Paddling in Peru – A slide show of boating and traveling in Peru! Presentation by Andy Round and Todd Collins.

February 21
The Pool Session: Kayaking Fundamentals– Rolling, edging, bracing, and paddle strokes

Coffee Shop Topic: First Descents Cancer Camp – What this organization is all about and how YOU can help. Heather Herbeck will talk about this fantastic organization and the first annual Pacific Northwest Camp, hosted by Wet Planet.

March 14
The Pool Session: Advanced Rolling – Improve your existing roll and master new rolls

Coffee Shop Topic: “Because You Can” – Ever hear this phrase? What does it mean? Come and find out.

*Pool Courses will be held at the Hood River Community Pool from 10:00 – 12:00 pm.
*Coffee Shop talks will be held at Dog River Café on Oak Street in Hood River from 1:00 – 2:00 pm.
*Cost for pool courses:
$45 for each course (includes pool fee of $6.00 & any needed equipment) or,
Register for 4 or more pool courses and your cost is $40 (includes pool fee)

Please register ahead of time, as spots will fill up. If you have any question, please contact Wet Planet Whitewater at 1-800-306-1673 or www.wetplanetwhitewater.com.

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Regardless of your skills as a paddler, every kayaker can benefit from time in the pool focusing on the fundamentals. If there are areas of your kayaking that could benefit from flat-water practice but don’t fit into one of our core curriculum pool sessions, let us know. We are happy to get into the pool with any skill level of paddler, and our hands on critical feedback can make a difference.