The Colorado Whitewater Association (CWA) Kids Team is a series of classes designed for youth aged 8–17 to develop safe, strong, and confident whitewater paddling skills. Whether your child is brand new to kayaking or has intermediate or advanced experience, this program offers a progression of skills tailored to all levels.
Participants will learn about:
Kayaks and essential gear
Paddle strokes, rolling, and bracing
River safety
Play boating and more
The focus is always on SAFE and FUN boating! CWA has a limited amount of equipment available for students to borrow.
Prerequisites: None
Where: Carmody Recreation Center
When: 2:30-6:00 pm Levels 1-4 ( There will be 2, 1 ½ hour sessions back to back 2:30-4:00 pm and 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm. We will notify you about which session your kayaker is in once we have the class groupings finalized.
Schedule:
Pool Sessions: January 26, February 9, February 23, March 9, April 6, April 27
Moving Water Weekend: May 3–4
Cost:
$200 per student
An additional $30 per student if borrowing equipment for pool sessions
Youth must also be members of Colorado White Water
Join CW: Link to CW membership page
In order to register for this series, parents must obtain a registration code from kidsteam@coloradowhitewater.org.
NOTE: This event registration is non-refundable.
Hosted by Rocky Mountain Canoe Club
Includes members of
Rocky Mountain Canoe Club ¤ Poudre Paddlers Club ¤
Rocky Mountain Sea Kayak Club ¤ High Country River Rafters
And starting in 2025 Colorado Whitewater
This is not an official Colorado Whitewater event but a great way to kick off the season with our fellow river people!
No cost to participate.
REGISTER HERE
‘snow date’ of April 5th
Often a casual flatwater (class I) day trip, suitable for novices, families. BUT it depends on what flows we get! Even at lower water levels, the dams (see below) are more challenging portages than before the 2013 flood and there may be strainers if you end up in the wrong channel.
**Extra caution is always recommended for flows above 800 cfs for novices & families. Check the Kersey Bridge Flow Gauge:
https://dwr.state.co.us/Tools/Stations/PLAKERCO?params=DISCHRG
Join us for a casual Class I paddle from Riverside Park to: Kersey Bridge (9 miles) Kuner Bridge (15 miles)
This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow paddlers and enjoy a relaxed day on the water!
Meet at the put-in at Riverside Park in Evans, CO at 9:00 a.m. Park restoration was completed in 2018 after devastation by the September 2013 floods. Directions: From the stop light in the middle of Evans on highway 85, go ½ mile east on 37 th Street. Turn right onto Riverside Parkway – at a prominent Riverside Park sign. Go 1/4 mile south through the neighborhood into the park. Drive past the parking area to a turn-around near the restroom building (restrooms may be closed) between the ball fields and the river, drop your boats, and move your car back to the parking area to make room for others. Follow the main path past a bench then turn down a paved spur to a sandy beach to launch.
Please unload boats and equipment promptly, hand in waivers to your club coordinator or to Anne Fiore and be ready to shuttle by 9:30
2025 South Platte Joint Club Flyer, Evans to Kersey, Kuner.docx-1.pdf
This introductory course is based on well-established ACA (American Canoe Association) standards and is designed for people who have little or no whitewater or kayaking experience. You will learn about kayaks, essential gear, basic paddle strokes & techniques, and river safety.
It begins in the safe environment of an indoor pool during two, two-hour sessions where a kayak, paddle and spray skirt will be provided. You’ll be taught the basic elements & skills of whitewater kayaking before you get on moving water.
CW Course Syllabi
*Note: This course will introduce you to the precursors to rolling but it’s not the focus of this course. Colorado Whitewater offers other classes that focus specifically on rolling. Those classes would be appropriate for students who have completed the Beginner Course or have previous kayaking and whitewater experience.
Students who attend both pool lessons are invited to attend two additional free events specifically for beginner students from these classes:
You are also invited to attend free Thursday night meetups with the club starting in April and you'll receive a discount on Training Camp, our biggest event of the year! (ACA membership required for both). You will need to register separately for those events.
What to bring:
Swimsuit/shorts, non-cotton shirt, towel, dry clothes for after class. Cold natured people may want a neoprene shirt/jacket for warmth.
Medications you need to keep with you. Snacks.
Cost: $225 course fee. Includes two 2-hour pool sessions, the flat-water/moving water weekend and rental equipment (boat, spray skirt, and paddle) for the pool sessions.
Class Times & Dates: This is a series of two indoor pool classes.
Please aim to arrive 15 minutes early to change clothes and be ready to go on the pool deck at the start time.
Please direct any questions to our Instruction Coordinator
Waiver: Please sign the waiver before your class at https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/e/VL9HqYCiiNtziGrbzyowR5/
Refunds: We will not be offering refunds for our pool instruction classes. We may be able to accommodate transferring your registration to another class. Please contact the Instruction Coordinator with questions.
For 40 years the National Paddling Film Festival has been hosting an annual competition to determine the best in paddle sport videos and images and to support American Whitewater and river conservation. The Colorado Whitewater Association is hosting the National Paddling Film Festival Roadshow (Colorado viewing) at the Oriental Theater in Denver. Event proceeds go to support Colorado Whitewater.
Get stoked for the 2025 paddling season with several adrenaline-rushing, award-winning films! All ages show! Cash bar (21+) and food truck will be available, plus prize drawings and giveaways during intermission. For a donation you could be taking home a cool prize! Friends, spouses, kids; all are welcome.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 day of show.
Advance tickets available here.
Doors: 06:00PM Film Starts: 07:00PM
http://npff.org/
This is the culmination of the Beginner Classes from the pool and includes time on a lake to transfer pool skills to the out of doors and then finally time on a mellow river to confidently apply those skills on moving water. The location is dependent on water levels and are TBD. We will email all registrants the week before the class to confirm our plans but it will be no farther than a one-hour drive from Denver.
Important Note about Gear:
You must bring the following gear with you: Helmet, Lifejacket, Paddle, Skirt, Boat and shoes that can get wet.
You also will want some cold water gear. Most people start with a wetsuit and splash jacket or drytop. Make sure that your rental includes all of these items or you have some you can bring.
If you are unable to buy or rent gear by the week before the class, reach out to the Instruction Coordinator and we'll see what we can find.
This roll class is 1-on-1 with an instructor for 1 hour. Beginner, intermediate, expert, whatever, this roll class is one on one. We think this allows us to tailor the lesson to exactly what you need and helps avoid having too many cooks in the kitchen.
If you have never rolled a kayak before, are looking to brush up on your roll after a long winter or are looking for feedback to get a more consistent roll this 1-hour one-on-one clinic will provide you with direct feedback that should help you on your path to improving your roll. Nose plugs are recommended as a good majority of this class time will be spent upside-down.
Prerequisites: None. You'll be working one-on-one with an instructor so that they can meet you where you are. Our instructors can work with people who have never tried rolling before or people who are just trying to fine tune their existing roll.
Cost: $80 course fee. Rental equipment (boat, spray skirt, and paddle) available for $5 by request.
Waiver: https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/e/VL9HqYCiiNtziGrbzyowR5/
This intermediate course will help you to develop the skills necessary to safely run advanced whitewater. This is not an all encompassing course--someone cannot go from being comfortable on class III to comfortable on class IV from a two day course. We will focus on teaching drills and techniques that will help you take your paddling to the next level. Please come ready to work and have fun.
Day 1, May 4th: Taking your skills to the next level requires work and we’re going to give you tools to help you help yourself. We’ll start off with a series of warm up drills that will get your blood moving and help you practice your strokes, body/boat awareness, and edging. These drills come from an intersection of slalom, freestyle, and creeking techniques.
After the warm up drills we’ll focus on strokes and techniques including a video session. You’ll get to see how you are doing and will get advice from the group.
Solid strokes help you to avoid difficult situations, but sometimes those situations can’t be avoided. We’ll continue with a series of fun drills that incorporate rolling. We’ll tailor based upon how the class is doing.
We’ll wrap up the pool session with a discussion of how to apply some of the drills and techniques in moving water. We’ll also talk about gear and cover some of the qualities of gear you need to consider as you step up your game.
Day 2, TBD: The second day of this two day course will be on moving water. It is optional, but you must have participated in the pool session to join us on the river. Exact location and time TBD based upon river levels - the group will decide during the pool session.
Our goal is to practice advanced moves in class II/III whitewater. We are going to make easier sections of whitewater more challenging and more fun by applying what we learned in the pool to moving water. We’ll augment basics like eddy turns and peelouts with body position and momentum and ratchet things up from there. What we’ll do depends upon the current river level and conditions (options include ferrying onto a wave, microboofs, rolling in various conditions).
We’ll take a break and discuss as a group was has worked for us and where we’ve had some difficulties. Then we’ll put together some of the moves we’ve practiced into a course. We’ll take turns running the course and giving each other advice. Our goal is to give you the skills to make up your own training routines in the future. You’ll also develop your skills in effectively critiquing yourself and others. You will never look at class II/III the same way again.
Before taking this class you’ll want to be comfortable practicing your roll repeatedly and paddling class II/III whitewater. It will be a bit chilly in the early season water, so a drysuit is highly recommended.
Cost: $165 course fee
Class Times & Dates:
Please direct questions to our Instruction Coordinator
Refunds: We will not be offering refunds for our pool instruction classes.
The First BIG Whitewater Event of 2025
To emphasize camping situation. Event registration includes a shared tent site. Planning for at least two tents per site. If you want to upgrade be sure to do a second registration for lodging upgrade.
You must be a current CW member to participate or volunteer on the water. You will need to login to open up registration for those types (they are grayed out if you are not logged in). If you not already a member you will need to join CW to become a member before you can register.
You must also sign the new waiver. We have updated our insurance provider to Paddlesport risk management.
Click here to sign the wavier.
Arkansas River Weekend - July 11 - 13, 2025!
Get ready for Arkansas River Weekend 2025! We're planning to have cruises on Saturday and Sunday for most skill levels, ranging from easy runs like Big Bend to Salida to the more challenging runs like the Numbers. (Let us know if you're willing to lead or sweep a cruise!) Camping will be at the beautiful Meadows in Buena Vista. As always we need volunteers so please email Ryan Ness at ness.ryan@gmail.com if you are willing to lead or sweep a cruise. In the email, please let us know what sections of river and days you're interested in. If you're willing to help with registration or other needs during the event email Noelle Wilhite at noellewilhite@gmail.com.
We will be meeting at 9:00 Saturday and Sunday mornings to divide into cruise groups. Each group will then sort out their shuttles. Day attendees should arrive at the site by 8:30 to check in and sign up for cruises. Don't be the hold up! You don't have to be in your pfd yet but be prepared to leave to go boating shortly after the meeting.
As a reminder, river weekends are not instructional events and are not suitable for those who have not had instruction or experience in whitewater kayaking or rafting. For those of you who are interested in instruction, our friends at Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center (RMOC) offer classes. Sign up directly with RMOC.
CAMPING / REGISTRATIONS: We'll have group camping at The Meadows on the West side of Buena Vista this year. We'll be in a great location near the pond, which is where we were in 2018 and 2023. Participants should register as either planning on the group camping area or staying elsewhere as a day participant so that we can monitor how many people will be camping. We are limited to 150 people in total including campers and day participants. Unfortunately, the land owner is charging us for the site again this year. Although the club is still be subsidizing the event camping will cost $30/person for the weekend. Note this is per person, not per site, and applies to everyone present including children and significant others.
Upon arrival you'll need to check in as usual so your registration, membership and release can be confirmed. You'll receive a wristband, which will be different colors depending on whether or not you're camping. There will be opportunities to sign up for cruises in the evening as well as in the morning before the meeting. CW will be providing porta pots, hand wash stations, and a dumpster for trash but beyond these you must plan on being self supported and bring whatever water you need. Do not arrive at the camping area before 3:00 Friday afternoon. You can camp at the site Sunday night but everyone must vacate the camping area by noon on Monday.
The entrance to The Meadows is at approximately 15284 County Road 350, Buena Vista, CO 81211. There isn't an actual street address. County Road 350 is also known as Crossman Avenue at the intersection of US 24. This is one of the three stop lights in Buena Vista, right by the Super 8 motel. From that intersection head West approximately 3/4 of a mile and the entrance is on the left. Look for a CW banner. Once in, drive straight ahead and you should see the pond towards your left.
REALLY SERIOUS SUBJECTS:
SOME MORE GUIDELINES:
Questions? Email Noelle at noellewilhite@gmail.com and include "CW Arkansas River Weekend" in the subject line.
Note: Registration for Arkansas River Weekend is non-refundable.
This Arkansas River Weekend come learn Swiftwater Rescue!
Saturday-Sunday July 12-13 on the Arkansas River in Buena Vista, CO - time TBD
$290 for CW Members! Normal Price: $350
"Being prepared as a paddler is an essential skill to learn and develop. Whitewater enthusiasts of all disciplines and skill levels, as well as guides and instructors, benefit from a rescue course. Build skills to manage risk on the river. Develop a rescue mindset and learn an assessment process to “get the big picture” in critical situations. Practice using rescue gear and simple to complex rescue techniques. This course combines an outdoor classroom with hands-on learning scenarios in whitewater.
Swiftwater Rescue Instruction
ACA Level 4 Swiftwater Rescue Certificate of Completion; accepted by most river outfitters, kayak schools, and outdoor programs
Rescue and river gear available upon request"
Link to for more details: https://www.whitewaterattainment.com/courses/swiftwater-rescue-skills
Must be:
18 years of age or older
Competent class II-III boater with solid self-rescue skills
Required gear to bring to the class: Complete kayak kit including kayak, paddle, helmet, PFD, sprayskirt, kayak floatation. Dry suit strongly recommended.
Note: This event registration is non-refundable.
Colorado River Weekend - September 12 - 15, 2025!
Join us for the last river weekend of 2025 on the Colorado River!
We have reserved the two group sites at Pumphouse and looking forward to a fun weekend for all! Come on Friday, stay until Monday. Must pay the BLM for day use at the kiosk upon entry.
Dogs are allowed but must be kept on leash and picked up after!
Participants will be required to pay a $10 parking fee on-site per vehicle per night to the Pumphouse Recreation Area. This will give you access to park at the campground overnight and park at the boat launches / take-out both days. BRING CASH!
Potential for runs on the Upper Colorado below Pumphouse and Lower Blue depending on flows.
Hoping to bring back the Saturday night pot luck dinner to show our community spirit.
More details to follow, but please register to confirm your spot!
Any questions, please email Chris Zeller and include CO Weekend in the subject.
This Colorado River Weekend come learn Swiftwater Rescue!
Saturday-Sunday September 13-14, 2025 on the Colorado River at Pumphouse, CO - time TBD
Colorado Whitewater is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. 1312 17th St #76767, Denver, CO 80202
©2025 Colorado Whitewater.