![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
CanoeSport Outfitters "Where Paddling Is A Priority" Home / About Us / Products / Events / Instruction /Adventure Trips / Rentals / CanoeSport Magazine |
||
| After Things Go Wrong Every trip is a learning opportunity. There are always things that go well and some things that don’t go very well. There are opportunities to increase safety, improve your fun, and learn from what is happening around you. After every trip take the time to analyze your trip and identify what you would and should do differently the next time, including how to handle little mistakes which can lead to unhappy consequences. |
Basic Bicycle Mechanics Learn some of the basic techniques and tools needed to do simple repairs and perform maintenance to a bicycle. How to change a tube, how to adjust brakes, and how to improve shifting will all be discussed. |
| Basic First Aid Are you prepared to handle a medical emergency or an injury while out on the water or on the trail? This 2 hour presentation will cover the basics of first aid for common injuries and illnesses experienced while paddling or bicycling. |
Basic Map & Compass John Pearson will provide tips and instruction on ways to stay found while on the water or on land. Learn the basics of reading a map and a compass in this informative, hands-on presentation. |
| Becoming A Better Kayaker Learn some tips and techniques you can apply on and off the water to make you a better kayaker. We’ll discuss some of the games and drills we use in our instructional courses to help you improve your balance and raise your skill levels. |
Boat Repair & Maintenance Learn about some of the tools and materials needed to do basic maintenance and field repairs to canoes and kayaks. Presentation will cover gel coat repairs and fiberglass patching as well as methods for repairing thermoformed plastic boats. |
| Charles City Whitewater Park In 2011 the efforts of whitewater and river enthusiasts in general came to fruition with the creation of a whitewater play park in Charles City. Dave Hillman will provide some insight into the area and give you a look at this unique, exciting new place to paddle in Iowa. |
Circumnavigating Isle Royale Join John Pearson and possibly a few of his friends as they describe their experiences circumnavigating Isle Royale on Lake Superior this past summer. Learn how they planned for safety, chose their routes, organized their group, and kept an eye on the weather. |
| Cold Weather Paddling Local paddler and ACA instructor, Piper Wall, will discuss some of the dangers and concerns associated with cold weather paddling. She’ll discuss essential gear as well as optional gear and what to do if you find yourself in the water and cold. |
Customize Your Kayak Do you find your kayak to be slightly uncomfortable? There are numerous ways to improve the comfort and fit in your kayak. Learn about seat pads, backrests, heel pads, hip pads, and various additional options for customizing your kayak after your purchase. |
| Everglades Ecology Learn about the ecology of the Everglades and how it is being changed by a variety of factors. John Pearson will discuss the different zones and how they interact. He’ll show photos of the region from his many trips to the park as a guide for CanoeSport Outfitters. |
Faster, Straighter By Canoe Learn some of the basic and not so basic strokes designed to make your canoeing more enjoyable and more efficient. Topics will include posture, blade angles, partner communication, and power application to get more speed from every stroke. |
| Foundations Of Paddling Whether you canoe, kayak, or paddle board there are several things which form the foundation of good, safe paddling. Some of these include comfort, posture, balance, and being anchored. This presentation will discuss these concepts and how they apply to the various type of paddling. |
Great River Rumble Learn about this annual paddling event which takes place on the Mississippi or one of its’ tributaries. Learn about the details of how to participate in the Rumble and have the opportunity to get involved in this fun summer activity! See slides of past trips and learn about the details of the Great River Rumble scheduled for July 28- Aug4, 2012. |
| How To Pack A Sea Kayak How the heck does all that camping gear, personal gear, and water fit into those small compartments on a kayak? Well this presentation will show you. Learn some tricks and tips for getting everything you need inside a kayak for your next trip. |
How To Size A Bicycle What are the key factors in finding a bicycle that actually fits? Join Scott Bicycle rep, Dan Jennings as he show you some of these and helps you determine what size bicycle is right for you. |
Iowa - Trails Capital of the World The trails in Iowa are quickly becoming one of the best Trail Systems in the country. With each connection and our friendly communities, we are well on our way to becoming the Trails Capital of the World! |
Iowa River Revival IRR is a non-profit, statewide river advocacy and education organization committed to protecting over 70,000 miles of rivers and streams that lead to the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. You’ll hear about IRR programs and activities and an adventure concept that brings the Iowa landscape and rivers together. |
|
Kayaking Lake Red Rock Enjoy Doc Lange’s always entertaining and enlightening discussion of paddling on Lake Red Rock. Learn where to paddle and what you’ll see when you get to Iowa’s scenic sea kayaking destination. |
| Kayaking the Georgia Coast Last October Jeff Holmes paddled the length of the Georgia Coast and back. His eight-day trip included almost 200 miles of coastal paddling. He’ll present slides and discuss some of the challenges and rewards of paddling from Cumberland Island to Tybee Island and back. |
Kayaking the Pacific Northwest Join Doc Lange and Steve Parrish as they discuss some of their exciting trips to the Pacific Northwest. Learn about the dangers and challenges of the cold and treacherous waters around the San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island. |
| Lake Rathbun Paddling Opportunities Lake Rathbun is the largest of Iowa’s man-made reservoirs and offers an abundance of paddling opportunities. |
Leave No Trace – Outdoor Ethics To ensure we do not degrade the wilderness and the places we visit, explore, and enjoy, we need to monitor our activities. By striving to make the right choices we can minimize our impact on the environment and be sure we leave it like we found it. Discover the 7 leave no trace principles in this presentation. |
| Middle River Water Trail Covering nearly 50 river miles in Adair and Madison County, the Middle River Water Trail meanders past limestone bluffs and outcroppings and passes many historic and cultural resources, including two of the famous Covered Bridges. Learn about the wildlife, scenery, historic, geologic, and cultural features of this region. |
Mistakes Made Choosing A Canoe or Kayak Jeff Holmes will discuss some of the common mistakes new and experienced canoe or kayak buyers often make. Understand how factors such as the width, depth, and length of the canoe or kayak will affect performance and your personal comfort. |
| New Paddler Basics 1.0: Your New World of Discovery This presentation is an introduction for individuals and families who are thinking about getting into paddling, whether it be canoeing, kayaking, or SUP’ing. It is also ideal for anyone who has recently made a purchase but is still unsure how to become more active in the sport. A variety of topics will be discussed including safety, hazard identification, laws and regulations, destinations, and trails. |
Paddling & Recreational Trails of Black Hawk County The Cedar River, Wapsipinicon River, and Black Hawk Creek offer a variety of paddling opportunities for novice to experienced paddlers. Limited access and remoteness along much of these rivers provides a near wilderness experience. These water trails and rivers are also linked by over 100 miles of hard surface recreational trails. |
| Paddling Iowa Join the author of Paddling Iowa as he presents slides and information on some of the best paddling destinations in the state. Learn about various routes, access points, water trails, and where to find water depths and flow rates. |
Paddling The Missouri River During the summer of 1999, Larry Christy canoed the length of the Missouri River, from Fort Benton, Montana to St. Joseph, Missouri. Over the course of three months alone on the river, he learned a lot about himself and the challenges of a long canoe trip. Join Larry as he shares some of his best and worst moments on the Missouri. |
| Preparing To Paddle What do you need to know and what can you practice off the water to help you when you actually get on the water? Jeff Holmes will discuss some ways to practice balance, strengthen your core, improve your stroke, and how to prepare for safe and fun paddling. |
RAGBRAI With Pork Belly Charter Discover some of the fun of Ragbrai as seen through the eyes of one of the largest operating charters. Find out what it takes to ride and see some video of people enjoying this great event. |
| River Paddling 101 What’s different about paddling a river? Learn about reading river features, identifying and avoiding hazards, how to pick a route, and how to handle the shuttle. We’ll talk about going upriver and how to keep a group safe on the water. |
Solo Canoeing & Fishing in Quetico/BWCA Mark River has spent 50+ days solo canoeing in the Quetico and BWCA. In this presentation he’ll focus on the unique challenges of solo travel in canoe country wilderness. Topics will include gear selection, solo canoe fishing tips, safety considerations, general trip planning, navigation, and more. |
| Solo On The Katy Trail Last March Casey Holmes embarked on a solo, self-contained bicycling trip along the Katy Trail in Missouri. Pedaling from just south of Kansas City to St. Louis she experienced the entire trail. She braved snow, freezing wind chills, sloppy terrain, and saw some amazing scenery along the way. |
Stand Up And Paddle Find it uncomfortable to sit down in a kayak for long periods of time? Try something new and stand up to paddle. Learn what’s new and unique about this method of paddling, what type of gear you need and how to select it. |
| Traditional Kayaking Traditional paddler and ACA Certified Kayak Instructor Larry Hinds will discuss traditional sea kayaking and how it differs from other kayaking styles. He’ll discuss boat design, paddle design, and variances to paddling technique. |
What You Need To Paddle Discover the differences and advantages of canoes, kayaks, and stand up boards. Understand some of the ways to go solo versus tandem. Find out what basic gear you need and what to consider for safety as you start paddling. |
| What You Need To Ride Learn about the basic and not so basic gear and equipment you’ll need to start riding comfortably. We’ll discuss bikes, clothing, bags, shoes, and more |
Winisk River The Winisk River flows over 240 miles to Hudson Bay. During this course it cuts through the Canadian Shield and drops into the limestone lowlands. With no facilities this area provides a unique wilderness experience from flat water to Class III+ whitewater. Join Vern Fish as he presents the details on this beautiful, exciting area and helps you plan an adventure of your own. |
| Wolf River Section IV Dave Hillman has paddled numerous whitewater rivers all across the United States and frequently paddles the Wolf River in Wisconsin. His presentation will focus on the challenging section IV. |
Have an idea for next year? Let us know!! |
203 West Salem Ave., Indianola, IA 50125 515-961-6117 or 1-800-257-6080 / e-mail: casey@canoesportoutfitters.com |