FAQs

Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about preparedness and scheduling:

1. You have up to two years from your first lesson to complete any membership package. Please practice with us or on your own between lessons to qualify for the next lesson.
2. Please schedule or re-schedule your events online using your scheduling login and check your wait list status regularly. Wait listing for an event is a commitment on your part to attend. We recommend checking on Monday and Thursday before weekend events. You WILL NOT be notified when you are automatically moved off the wait list, so be sure to check using your scheduling login. The roster generally solidifies the week of the event (or hour before practice) and we make final adjustments to capacity at that time. Adjustments made on a Friday that result in your being added are accompanied by a manual text and phone call from us. Please respond promptly. Remove yourself from the wait list if you can no longer attend. CLICK HERE FOR YOUR SCHEDULE PAGE.
3. You have up until 72 hours before your class starts to reschedule yourself online. Students who do not reschedule themselves online in time or who don’t show up forfeit their lesson. No exceptions are made to this policy and we do not offer refunds. The cutoff for practice is one hour.

Here is some additional helpful information to know in preparing for your Whitewater 101 Indoor session:

• You must register online for all pool practice sessions and classes due to limited availability.
• WE DO NOT PROVIDE EQUIPMENT FOR INDOOR USE UNLESS YOU ARE AN INDOOR/OUTDOOR PACKAGE STUDENT.
• 72 hours’ notice of cancellation is required (online).
• Please arrive twenty minutes prior to the course start time.
• Be sure your equipment is appropriate for your skill level. Beginners who show up in a playboat usually have a harder time learning to roll. If you are new to the sport and are renting gear please request a kayak of the appropriate volume and with a “displacement hull” or “soft chines.”
• Take the time to properly outfit your kayak with hip pads, supportive back band, and correct foot brace adjustment prior to your lesson. This is mandatory if you really hope to learn to roll in a short period of time.
• EQUIPMENT MUST BE THOROUGHLY CLEAN INSIDE AND OUT (NO LEAVES, SAND, ETC, PLEASE)!
• HELMET AND PERSONAL FLOATATION DEVICE ARE REQUIRED.
• If you have not taken a whitewater class with us you must demonstrate your wet exit prior to taking a class. (This does not apply to experienced paddlers in the practice pool.)
• All participants must be in a kayak at all times. No wading or instruction except by ACA-certified instructors.
•  DO NOT USE THE SIDE OF THE POOL FOR ROLLING PRACTICE. IT IS DANGEROUS AND PROHIBITED. Use your partner’s bow or stern instead as you would in a real situation.
• If you are in a rolling class please make the most of your time while waiting for an instructor by practicing high braces, hip snaps, or rolling. The more of these drills you do, the faster you will learn to roll!
• CHLORINE IS DAMAGING TO PADDLING GEAR! Wash all gear with fresh water at the end of the pool session.
• Have fun and don’t forget to leave time to hang out after the pool session! We always go to Kilroy’s, located in the shopping center on Braddock Road, across from the Audrey Moore/Wakefield park entrance.

Finally, here are some general things to keep in mind related to your Whitewater 101 class:

• Stretch regularly or do yoga. This will help you to progress faster and be more comfortable on the water.
• We are a very small business with a conservation mission, trying to help grow a small industry. If you have a 5 star experience, please help us by leaving a review on our Google Business Page and our Yelp Business Page and also reply to our feedback request or survey emails. If you have anything less than a 5 star experience, chat or message with us to discuss your experience, and so that we may have the opportunity to improve or resolve a situation. Thank you!