Event series: Kayak Beginners Course Level 1 Tirol

Kayak Beginners Course Level 1 Tirol

In the kayak Beginners Course Level 1 you will learn all the basics to be able to paddle independently on easy white water. We show you what to look out for on the river and how to use the equipment correctly. The technique you learn in this course will give you a good foundation to get off to a flying start in kayaking! In contrast to other kayak beginner courses, we don't teach you "beginner techniques", but the basics that will accompany you all the way into the roughest white water.

We take a day to practise everything that is important on the river in peace and quiet on the lake: paddling forwards, turning, bringing the boat to the edge and much more. At the end of the day we play canoe polo. Canoe polo is a lot of fun and helps us to deepen the techniques we have learned and to automate movement sequences.

On the second day of the basic course, we put what we have learned into practice on a full-day river trip in white water. We will be on an easy section of river and show you all the basics for navigating flowing water. For example, we will practise river crossings using a rope ferry, learn how to approach eddies and how to surf waves.

Learn about the safety equipment, how to adjust your kayak, and how to hold the paddle correctly.
Paddling straight ahead: efficient forward stroke and upper body posture
Paddling curves: Arc stroke, draw stroke, power stroke, weight shift and upper body rotation.
Slowing momentum and backward paddling: Counterstroke and backstroke
Canoe polo basics
Small flow theory
Eddying out

We learn the basic techniques on the lake.
How to safely get out of the boat underwater.
Canoe polo - playful consolidation of what you have learned
Relaxed paddling in moving water
Understanding main paddle strokes in moving water
How to traverse across the river (ferry glide)
Boat edging to perform direction changes.
Entering and leaving moving water (Break in and Break out)

Inn in Innsbruck
Sill in Innsbruck
Ziller
Gschnitzbach

To be able to take part in Beginners Course , you must

Be able to swim confidently
Be in overall good health.
be at least 12 years old.

Be able to navigate easy sections of river independently
Learn all the important basic techniques

Day 1 at the lake:

Meeting point and equipment distribution at 10:00 am at the kayak school
Morning on the lake
One-hour lunch break (catering in the restaurant by the lake or with your own snack)
Technique training and canoe polo game
Course ends around 16:30

Day 2 on the river:

Meeting point at the kayak school and trip to the river (departure time to be arranged the day before)
Discussion of safety basics for river travel
River cruise lasting several hours
End of course and arrival at the kayak school around 17:30