DATES:  Check the Outdoor Program Class Schedule for dates and times of workshop.

DESCRIPTION: The kayak workshop is a concentrated course to help individuals develop the knowledge and skills necessary to run whitewater rivers in a kayak.  It is a solid introductory course for the beginner and a good refresher for the individual who already has some kayaking experience.  Pool sessions held on the ISU campus will cover paddling strokes and techniques as well as the Eskimo roll.  Evening theory sessions will cover water hydraulics, reading whitewater, selecting optimum routes, safety procedures, whitewater classification, and planning and organizing trips.

FIRST SESSION: Check Outdoor Program class schedule for dates, times, and meeting place.

ITINERARY:  (Subject to Change)
Day 1: 8:00 - 11:00 Meet at Reed Gym pool – introduction and pay fees
 1:00 - 5:00 Paddling practice at Jensen Reservoir
Day 2: 8:00 - 11:00 Reed Gym pool -- roll practice
 1:00 - 6:00 Float Class I section on the Portneuf River
Day 3: 8:00 - 11:00 Reed Gym pool
 1:00 - 6:00 Snake River or Aberdeen Canal
Day 4: Class I or II section on the Blackfoot River
Day 5: Class I or II section on the Blackfoot River

FOOD ARRANGEMENTS: We will break for lunch for one hour on each of the first three days.  We will camp out on the third night, and run the Blackfoot River on the fourth and fifth days.  For the dinner and breakfast, we will cook as a group, and the purchasing and cooking duties will be divided amongst the participants.  I will contact those who are registered to assign cooking partners and meals.  The cost of food is the only other expense besides the workshop fee.  All other expenses – equipment, transportation, and instruction – are covered.

COSTS:  $125 for workshop for students, $150 for students’ guests if you need to use Outdoor Program equipment.  $105 for students, $125 for students’ guests if you have your own equipment.  The workshop fee does not include food or housing. “Students” are defined as those enrolled for at least one summer school credit or as full time students during the past spring or upcoming fall semesters.

THINGS TO BRING ( for the overnight on June 19-20):
 [ ] Tent
 [ ] Wool socks – several pairs
 [ ] Shorts
 [ ] Sleeping bag
 [ ] Wool sweater or substitute
 [ ] T-shirt
 [ ] Sleeping pad
 [ ] Wool hat
 [ ] Two pairs of sneakers
 [ ] Pocket knife
 [ ] Wool shirt
 [ ] Swim suit
 [ ] Flashlight
 [ ] Rain gear
 [ ] Extra underwear (if you wear it)
 [ ] Cup, plate, spoon, fork
 [ ] Mittens/gloves
 [ ] Wool pants or heavy cotton
 [ ] Sunglasses
 [ ] Windbreaker
 [ ] Toilet paper
 [ ] Sunscreen
 [ ] Down jacket or substitute
 [ ] Personal medication
 [ ] Toothbrush, toothpaste
 [ ] Water bottle

RISK ASSUMPTIONS: Please be aware that kayaking is dangerous.  It is impossible to list all of the dangers involved in the sport.  The eventualities of injuries or death are so diverse that no one could describe everything that can go wrong.  Some of the possibilities are hitting your head on a rock, becoming caught on a log, getting caught against a rock, or becoming hypothermic after a long swim.  We do our best to minimize dangers, but we can not guarantee that everything will be perfectly safe.  IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT THE DANGERS AND RISKS, PLEASE ASK QUESTIONS AND THEN MAKE A CAREFUL DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO PARTICIPATE.  PARTICIPATION IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.

PHYSICAL EFFORT INVOLVED IN THIS CLASS: On the mornings of the first three days, participants will be in the pool at Reed Gym, spending time paddling and swimming.  On the afternoon of the first three days and all day on the fourth and fifth days, participants will paddle kayaks in still or moving water.  Paddling a kayak for hours at a time will be tiring, and, in the event of capsize and failure to roll, participants may swim.  We will be wearing life jackets, but participants should feel comfortable swimming in water over their heads.  Participants can expect to encounter all sorts of different weather conditions: cold and rainy, windy, and hot and sunny.  In adverse weather conditions, participants may get wet and cold or very hot.  Participants will also camp for one night and should be prepared to sleep in a tent or shelter and cook their own food.  Participants, then, should be physically fit and mentally prepared for difficult weather conditions, strenuous physical activity, and camping.

WORKSHOP INSTRUCTORS:
Pete Walka: Pete learned to kayak from Dana 15 years ago.  He worked for ten years as a rafting, kayaking, and sea kayaking guide in Utah, Arizona, Alaska, and Mexico.  Pete has recently returned to Idaho from Flagstaff, Arizona, to teach kayaking for the Outdoor Program.
Dana Olson-Elle: Dana has taught and supervised whitewater kayaking for the nationally-recognized program at Idaho State University for the past 20 years.  She has extensive experience running rivers throughout the western United States as well as Europe.  She is an American Canoe Association Certified Instructor Trainer for Kayaking.

APPLICATION TO ATTEND WORKSHOP: Applications are available at the Outdoor Program office  (236-3912).  A deposit equal to 50% of the workshop cost must accompany your application to reserve a place in the workshop.  One half of the deposit will be refunded if you cancel more than two weeks before the workshop begins.  All workshops have limited enrollments, and participants are accepted on a first come, first serve basis.

FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact Pete Walka, ISU Outdoor Program, Summer Workshops, PO Box 8128, Pocatello, Idaho 83209.  Phone: (208) 236-3912.