2026 River Clinics
Join us on the river this summer!
The Roaring Fork Kayaking Club is excited to announce our lineup for clinics in 2026.
Whether you're new to whitewater, looking to level up your skills, hoping to get your kids paddling all day, or excited to join a women-centered session, we’ve got something for you!
Scroll below to check out our L1 FUNdamentals clinics, L2 practice clinics, and L3 challenge clinics, and our 2026 Women's Clinic.
New Weekly River Clinics
​Starting June 6, Chris will be coaching L1, L2, and L3 river clinics every Saturday and Sunday through the summer. These half-day clinics are designed so paddlers can keep building skills over time. One clinic is helpful, but consistent time in your boat is one of the best ways to improve, so we encourage paddlers to sign up for multiple weekends.
Pricing
Half-day clinic:
Nonmembers: $60
RFKC members: $40
Sign up for 3 or more clinics and get last year’s rate:
Nonmembers: $50 per clinic
RFKC members: $35 per clinic
Click here to become a member.
Scholarships Available:
We want kayaking to be accessible to everyone. If cost is a barrier, scholarships are available. Please fill out this form to request scholarship support.
Clinic Descriptions
L1: FUNdamentals Clinics
Our L1 Fundamentals Clinic is all about building confidence in a whitewater kayak and creating a strong foundation on the river. We focus on the primary skills of river running including paddle strokes, boat control, river reading, eddy turns, ferries, and learning how to move with the current.
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This clinic is designed for those who are fairly new to kayaking. L1 is a fun and supportive place to learn basic skills and build your confidence on the river. L1 Clinics offered June through August. Gear available to borrow.
Prerequisite: Have participated in our winter or summer pool clinics, or have been in a river kayak 5 times. Roll not required.
L2: Practice Clinics
Our L2 Practice Clinic is focused on building stronger mechanics and helping paddlers feel more efficient on the river. This clinic is all about guided practice, skill refinement, and dialing in technique through repetition and coaching.We’ll spend time breaking down paddle strokes, boat control, eddy turns, ferries, rolling, and linking moves together with more intention and precision. Expect plenty of drills, feedback, and time on the water to practice and improve.
This clinic is designed for paddlers who feel comfortable in moving water and are ready to progress. Whether you’re looking to build confidence in Class II+, paddle more efficiently, or feel stronger keeping up with friends on the river, L2 is a great next step. L2 clinics offered June through August. Roll recommended but not required. Gear available to borrow.
L3: Challenge Clinics
The L3 Clinic focuses on applying paddling skills in more challenging environments. This clinic is focused on exploring new lines through familiar rapids, applying different paddling techniques for the same results, and refining whitewater decision making. AKA: Hard moves on easy water.
Time will be spent on: scouting then running different lines through familiar rapids (by following; by executing a pre-planned/shore planned line; by leading others); applying fundamental techniques to break down rapids (i.e. mid-rapid eddies, increasing the number of moves to slow down rapids); playing down rapids and finding fun on the river (stern squirts!)
Who’s it for: Paddlers who want to paddle harder whitewater. Paddlers who want to make their local section more exciting and fun. Paddles who want to progress their paddling and add new techniques. Gear available. Combat roll required.
Women's FUNdamentals
This women-led clinic is designed to help you build skills, confidence, and have more fun on the river. Held on a Class II section of river, we'll focus on fundamentals such as boat control, reading water, eddy turns, ferries, river safety, and efficient paddling. Coaches will provide individualized feedback and plenty of opportunities to practice throughout the day.
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Most importantly, this clinic is about enjoying time on the river with other women, building confidence, and discovering more joy in every river day.
Prerequisite: Participants should have participated in Roaring Fork Kayaking Club Pool Clinics, or have at least five days of prior river kayaking experience.
Paddlers should be comfortable wet exiting their kayak and swimming in moving water.