Winter Kayak Pool Rolling Clinics in Massachusetts
Our winter kayaking clinics are geared toward beginner to intermediate kayakers, C-1ers, and OC-1ers. We offer weekend sessions during January and February in Franklin and Westfield, Massachusetts. Each class is two hours long with a maximum of 9 students and a 1:3 ratio of instructors to students.
During the first half of each class we focus on skills such as strokes, leans, and braces. We work on improving your execution of these basics so that when you put boat to river next spring you'll be ahead of the game. The second half is devoted to rolling. For those who can't roll, we start from scratch, leading you through a logical progression from hip snaps to paddle motions to a full-blown eskimo roll. If you're an experienced roller, you can work on improving your technique, flipping without setting up, and learning an off-side roll, a hand roll, or any other variation of the basic roll.
In order to fit into your busy schedule, we have organized the rolling program so you can sign up by 2-night sessions or a la carte. In order to get the most out of your time in the pool, we recommend doing a full session. Each session consists of consecutive Saturdays or Sundays. We suggest you plan to arrive about 20 minutes early to get changed so you'll be ready to begin on time.
HOCKOMOCK AREA YMCA - BERNON FAMILY BRANCH: FRANKLIN, MA
The Hockomock Area YMCA - Bernon Family Branch is located at 45 Forge HIll Road off exit 17 on Route 495 in Franklin MA only 45 minutes from Boston and 15 minutes from Worcester. It is a full-service YMCA with a large indoor pool.
From Interstate Route 495: Take exit 17 to Route 140. At the end of the exit, head north toward Bellingham. After .5 mile, take a left into Forge Park. After .8 mile, take a left onto National Drive. After .2 mile, at the cul de sac, take a left. the YMCa is at the top of the hill.
From Route 140 in Bellingham: At Garelick Farms, take a right into Forge Park. After .4 mile, take a right onto National Drive. After .2 mile, at the cul de sac, take a left. the YMCa is at the top of the hill.
The phone number for the YMCA is 508-528-8708.
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER WESTFIELD: WESTFIELD, MA
The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield is located at 28 West Silver Street, Westfield, MA. The Club has an olympic sized heated pool and is about 20 minutes from Springfield, MA and 40 minutes from Hartford, CT.
From Route 91 get on the Mass Pike West (I-90 W). Take exit 3 toward RT 10/Westfield & US-202/Northampton. Turn right off the exit. Continue straight to the town common. At the common continue straight on Broad Street (fire department on left) to a set of lights. Go straight through lights. Just after the Amelia Indoor Skating Rink you will see the Boys & Girls Club sign. Take a right toward the club.
Hockomock Area YMCA
Westfield MA
The Instructors
Our instructors are American Canoe Association (ACA) certified and have many years of experience teaching kayaking, canoeing, and rolling.
Our low student-to-instructor ratio assures that you will receive the personalized attention our instruction program is known for, and our flexible instruction method uses both the C-to-C roll and the Modified Sweep roll to accommodate people with different body types and to make learning fast and enjoyable.
Who should take this clinic?
These clinics are for novice to intermediate paddlers who want to learn to roll. Our minimum age for this clinic is 12.
Equipment
We're happy to supply boats, paddles, life jackets, helmets, and wetsuits, but you may also bring your own. We encourage you to bring your own gear if you have it so you can get used to its quirks.
Signing Up
Reservations are on a first-come-first-served basis. To go at the price listed, we must have at least 2 students enrolled in a scheduled clinic within 3 days of the clinic's start date. If only one person is enrolled in a clinic, he or she may pay the private rate or may choose to cancel or reschedule.
Cancellation Policy
All but $10.00 per person will be refunded for cancellations made more than 30 days in advance of the first day of a clinic. Cancellations made less than 30 days in advance will not receive any refund.
