Whitewater Kayaking Club
Saturdays 1-5p
July 12
July 19
July 26
August 2
Location - Riley's Lock:
13015 Riley's Lock Rd, Poolesville, MD
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Location - Anglers Inn:
10790 MacArthur Blvd. Potomac, MD
Do you want to spend your afternoons on the river, learning to maneuver a kayak on the river, and enjoying all that the river has to offer? Join Soul Trak's Whitewater Kayaking Club, instructed by Calleva River School.
The course will consist of four 4-hr kayaking sessions on the Potomac River. The program is designed to introduce the club members to kayaking and the skills to maneuver on the river safely. The program will take place on Saturday afternoons from July 12 - Aug 2, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Riley's Lock (lock 24) on the C&O canal, located in Poolesville, MD 20837 and Angler's Inn 10790 MacArthur Blvd. Potomac, MD. Additional practice sessions on Tuesday evenings with Calleva are available to participants, and highly recommended, at no additional cost.
The program will provide participants with a unique opportunity to learn white water kayaking on the Potomac River, which is one of the premier places to learn to paddle. Participants will be accompanied by experienced kayakers from the Canoe Cruisers Association who will provide volunteer support and ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience on the water.
While the ability to swim is not required for this course, participants should hold a high level of comfort in the water and be able to stay calm if they need to remove themselves from the kayak in the water. You will be submerged under water to practice certain kayaking maneuvers, so be prepared to be completely submerged in the water for each class. One of the main objectives of the class is to be able to "roll your kayak", meaning being able to flip a kayak back over after being submerged underneath while still seated in the boat.
Participants of past Kayaking Clubs are welcome to join this class as well - Advanced Beginner instruction will be provided alongside the course.
Participants are advised to wear sunscreen and a hat and bring water. It is also recommended to bring a towel and a Zip loc or dry bag to keep belongings dry. Please note that all kayaking sessions are weather dependent and will proceed in light rain but may need to cancel if there is heavy rain, lightning, or strong wind in the forecast.
Session Calendar:
Sat July 12, 1-5 pm - Introduction to Kayaking
Location - Riley's Lock:
13015 Riley's Lock Rd, Poolesville, MD
Introduction to Kayaking - how to fit in a boat and use gear. Basic Strokes, how to turn, how to go straight, wet exiting: preliminary to rolling
Sat July 19, 1-5 pm, - Water Features and Rolling Technique
Location - Anglers Inn:
10790 MacArthur Blvd. Potomac, MD
Maneuvers: Peel Outs, Eddy Turns and Ferries, how to use the current, run your first rapids, Rolling work: hip snap and using a boat to come back up
Sat July 26, 1-5 pm - River Runs, Surfing and more Rolling Technique
Location - Riley's Lock:
13015 Riley's Lock Rd, Poolesville, MD
Riley's Lock, River Run the GW canal or breaks, reading water, maybe some surfing , Rolling work: putting the paddle into it
Sat Aug 2, 1-5 pm - Final River Run
Location - Riley's Lock:
13015 Riley's Lock Rd, Poolesville, MD
Our final River Run: Anglers to Carderock, putting together all of the skills for down river paddling as well as rolling.