Whitewater Dojo May 16th

Service Description

This day is all about river safety, decision-making, and self-reliance for whitewater kayakers. Designed specifically for paddlers who spend time on moving water, this focused clinic builds the skills and judgment needed to manage common whitewater rescue scenarios—without turning the day into a rope-fest or lecture hall. We’ll start on shore and in calm water, learning a thoughtful progression of swiftwater rescue principles, including river hazards, defensive and aggressive swimming, and rescue priorities. From there, we’ll move into moving water to practice realistic, kayak-specific scenarios such as swimmer and kayak management, throw bag use, pinned kayak awareness, and group rescue strategies—all in a controlled, instructional environment. Throughout the day we’ll emphasize risk assessment, communication, and teamwork, while continuing to consolidate solid river-running fundamentals. The goal is not just to learn techniques, but to understand when (and when not) to use them. Training includes: - 1 day of instruction with Candlebox Kayaking’s experienced, highly certified, expert instructors - High-quality equipment including kayaks by Jackson Kayak, paddles by Werner, drysuits by Kokatat (on a first-come/first-served basis), and all other necessary safety equipment - Rescue equipment including throw bags, carabiners, prusiks, webbing, and helmets - Experience on (up to) intermediate (class 2+) whitewater on Nova Scotia’s South Shore This clinic is ideal for: Whitewater kayakers who are paddling class 2–3 rivers and want to increase their safety margin, confidence, and ability to contribute effectively in a group rescue situation. Please book at least 48 hours in advance. We do our best to accommodate last-minute bookings. Includes: Kayak, paddle, PFD, sprayskirt, throw bag, helmet, drysuit (on a “first come/first served” basis), gloves, and neoprene booties.