DATES: For specific times and dates, please see the Outdoor Program Class Schedule.

DESCRIPTION:  The Intermediate Kayak Workshop is a concentrated course to help individuals develop their river kayaking skills.  Four days of playing on the river will follow a quick review session.  Surfing, hole playing, river reading, and river safety will be emphasized.  Prior white water kayaking experience, or permission from instructors, required.

FIRST SESSION: For specific times and dates, please see the Outdoor Program Class Schedule.   We will load vehicles and drive to the river.

ITINERARY: For specific times and dates, please see the Outdoor Progam Class Schedule.
1st Class: Meet at the Outdoor Program office, load vehicles, and drive to the Payette.  Review rolls, braces, and eddy turns.  Float short section of Main Payette.
2nd Class: Swirly Canyon.  Review of eddy turns, surfing, ferrying, and river reading.
3rd Class: Carbarton and the Plunge.  Improve on water reading skills and eddy hopping.
4th Class: Swirly or Main.  Practice safe river techniques, eddy hopping, and working the river.
5th Class: Main Payette.  Practice surfing and reading bigger volumes of water.

FOOD ARRANGEMENTS: We will cook as a group.  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.

HOUSING: We will camp at Hot Springs Campground.

COSTS: $150 for students and $175 for student guests if you do not have your own kayak equipment.  $125 for students and $150 for student guests if you have your own kayak equipment.  “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:
 [ ] 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
 [ ] 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: Participants will paddle kayaks in rough water all day for five days.  Paddling a kayak all day 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 four nights 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: An application to attend the workshop is available at the Outdoor Program Office.  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.