DemoFest Registration and Clinic Offerings

AM Clinic Descriptions

Improve Your Roll and Build Underwater Composure
Location: flatwater site Duration: Departs at 9:45 AM, clinic ends at 12:00 PM This is a great course to build the underwater composure and confidence that is necessary to have a reliable and strong roll. Practicing kayaking techniques such as rolling makes paddling a joy by lessening the fear and hassle of swimming in whitewater. Class Prerequisites: Wet-exits with a sprayskirt from a whitewater kayak and basic understanding and execution of the river running maneuvers (eddy turn, peel out and ferry). This should not be your first whitewater kayak lesson. Visit our rolling courses.

Back to the Basics with Foundational Skills

Location: flatwater site Duration: Departs at 9:45 AM, clinic ends at 12:00 PM Great paddling starts at the foundation. Learn about the connection between your upper and lower core mechanics and practice skills that show how these influence your boat control. Gain more precision with your paddle blades as we exam the correct blade angles for different strokes. Finally as your core skills improve so will your vision and you’ll be keeping your eyes high.

Dryway River Run

Location: Dryway class III-IV Duration: Departs at 11:00 AM, clinic ends at 2:30 PM Prerequisites: The Dryway is a hard section of river and this course is inappropriate for those without proper experience in hard class III-IV water, a solid roll is required. We offer full day dryway clinics for folks looking to transition into running the Dryway while stepping up with their Class III/IV skills. Advanced paddlers, do you just want to get out there and paddle with instructors to get feedback and learn more efficient technique? Here’s your opportunity to get feedback on your own paddling and have a blast. This is also a great chance to paddle and get expert advice on a variety of boats. Plus, have some time to meet and socialize with other area paddlers. Maybe you’re new to our area, if so this is also a great opportunity for a guided run down. If you are unsure if you are ready or have not paddled class III-IV yet, this is not the best course for stepping up to the Dryway. If you are looking to step up to the Dryway please check out our full day River Runs where you would have more time for scouting and guidance.

PM Clinic Descriptions

Choose one: 1. River Runners and Creekers or 2. Half Slice

Location: 2.5 mile section above Zoar Gap Picnic area – Class I-II (III, option to run Zoar Gap) Duration: Departs at 1:00 PM, clinic ends at 3:30 PM This section of the Fife Brook on the Deerfield River has endless opportunities for practicing our basic and complex maneuvers while heading downstream. Their are great eddies for wide or narrow turns which allow paddlers to change their technique based on the maneuver at hand. Instructors will structure their clinic based on the specific boat design of the group. The River Runners and Creekers group will focus on downriver maneuvers. The Half Slice group will focus on river play, stern squirts, and edge transitions.

AM Clinic Descriptions

Rolling Refresh
Location: flatwater site Duration: Departs at 9:45 AM, clinic ends at 12:00 PM This is a great course to build the underwater composure and confidence that is necessary to have a reliable and strong roll. Practicing kayaking techniques such as rolling makes paddling a joy by lessening the fear and hassle of swimming in whitewater. Class Prerequisites: Wet-exits with a sprayskirt from a whitewater kayak and basic understanding and execution of the river running maneuvers (eddy turn, peel out and ferry). This should not be your first whitewater kayak lesson. Visit our rolling courses.

Cartwheel Clinic
Location: flatwater site Duration: Departs at 9:45 AM, clinic ends at 12:00 PM First, we will lay the basic foundations of freestyle boating: edge and weight transfer and initiation strokes. Then we will dive into the world of the double pump, flatwater cartwheels, and getting vertical. All levels of boaters will benefit from this clinic because they will learn the skills and fundamentals that are needed for a solid foundation of playboating skills.

Buddy Boat Rescue
Location: flatwater site Duration: Departs at 9:45 AM, clinic ends at 12:00 PM Designed for people who paddle together and want to have the skills in order to look out for each other. We take a hands-on, in-the-water approach to teaching boat based rescue best practices and safety skills. Class Prerequisites: Wet-exits with a sprayskirt from a whitewater kayak and basic understanding and execution of the river running maneuvers (eddy turn, peel out and ferry). This should not be your first whitewater kayak lesson.

Stand Up Paddleboarding Basics
Location: flatwater site – some current Duration: Departs at 9:45AM, clinic ends at 12:00 PM Whitewater paddlers have a chance to test out your balance and your paddle skills while standing up! We’ll cover a quick progression that will introduce the equipment and relate what you know from paddling to the Stand-Up world of paddling. It’s a hoot! Give it a try!

Dryway River Run

Location: Dryway class III-IV Duration: Departs at 11:00 AM, clinic ends at 2:30 PM Prerequisites: The Dryway is a hard section of river and this course is inappropriate for those without proper experience in hard class III-IV water, a solid roll is required. We offer full day dryway clinics for folks looking to transition into running the Dryway while stepping up with their Class III/IV skills. Advanced paddlers, do you just want to get out there and paddle with instructors to get feedback and learn more efficient technique? Here’s your opportunity to get feedback on your own paddling and have a blast. This is also a great chance to paddle and get expert advice on a variety of boats. Plus, have some time to meet and socialize with other area paddlers. Maybe you’re new to our area, if so this is also a great opportunity for a guided run down. If you are unsure if you are ready or have not paddled class III-IV yet, this is not the best course for stepping up to the Dryway. If you are looking to step up to the Dryway please check out our full day River Runs where you would have more time for scouting and guidance.

PM Clinics

Zoar Gap with a Plan

Location: Zoar Gap Rapid – Class III Duration: Departs at 1:00 PM, Clinic ends at 3:45 PM Run multiple laps on Zoar Gap with a vehicle shuttle! We’ll spend some time scouting Zoar Gap from both the road and the river and see how many laps we can also get in. Paddlers will have a chance to plan out their lines and also try multiple different lines. Our expert instructors will be giving out plenty of advice of course too.

Half Slice, Twice as Nice: Infini-Tailees
Take advantage of the best selling boats on the market, half slice kayaks.  Half Slice boats are business up front and party in the back.   This allows for stable river running, great front surfing with actual carving and easy stern squirts ie “tailees”.  This clinic will focus in on the technique to achieve the ultimate tailee.  If you’ve gotten used to the ultra short rodeo spud boats the technique is a little different going back to a longer kayak.  We’ll help you with the timing and precision needed to take advantage of these awesome kayaks and river features.

Whitewater Rescue Swimming & Wading

Location: Below Zoar Gap (“baby Gap”)- Class II (not a river run) – be prepared to swim! Duration: Departs at 1:00 PM, Clinic ends at 3:45 PM We take this clinic beyond the defensive float position and make a swiftwater entry into active whitewater swimming skills. The group will review and practice swimming in Baby Gap (class II+ whitewater) and wading skills in class II water. This is a must take course for someone who wants to increase their confidence with swimming in whitewater with solid technique and understanding of the environment.

Downriver SUP

Location: 2.5 mile section of Fife Brook on the Deerfield River – Class I-II Duration: Departs at 1:00 PM, Clinic ends at 3:45 PM Whitewater paddlers have a chance to test out your balance and your paddle skills while standing up AND paddling down river! We’ll cover a quick progression that will introduce the equipment and relate what you know from paddling to the Stand-Up world of paddling. It’s a hoot! Give it a try!

Clinic Descriptions

AM Clinics

Family of Draws
Location: flatwater site Duration: Departs at 9:45 AM, clinic ends at 12:00 PM This flatwater session has endless opportunities for practicing the use of the draw stroke. We’ll review the whole family of draw strokes! We will start with basic draws to abeam sideways, which are great for position in an eddy, and progress to the most complicated draws used to control spin momentum while crossing eddylines. Good stroke timing and choosing the right draw for the turn at hand will help keep you more stable and carrying your speed like never before. Class Prerequisites: Wet-exits with a sprayskirt from a whitewater kayak and basic understanding and execution of the river running maneuvers (eddy turn, peel out and ferry). This should not be your first whitewater kayak lesson.

Canoeing For Whitewater Kayakers
Location: Flatwater site, some current Duration: Departs at 9:45 AM, Clinic ends at 12:00 PM Hey two bladers come learn what all the fuss is about, lol. You ever hear the saying “half the paddle, twice the paddler”? Well there’s some truth to it. Whitewater canoeing is now the tele-skiing equivalent in the paddling world, it’s old meets new and it’s a lot of fun. Learn to control a craft that loves to spin with just one blade! Our instructors will lead you through a basic progression of skills, straight from capsizes to gaining momentum and controlling your craft. Give it a try!

PM: Scavenger Hunt!

Scavenger Hunt teams will gather at 12:45 PM at the DemoFest site. Registered teams will get a “Hunt Packet” and have from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM to find all of their clues. Teams are required to check in at the final site at Zoar Outdoor (7 Main Street) no later than 3:30 PM to have their progress scored. The teams with the most clues found and highest point score will win prizes!

The DemoFest mini-clinics are designed for experienced paddlers looking to paddle the hottest new whitewater kayaks. 

• Great for experienced kayakers and open to those who have mastered the wet-exit, can self rescue in current and who are comfortable in at least class one whitewater with a sprayskirt and a whitewater style kayak.
• Advanced paddlers who want an energizing and thrilling experience in Class IV water can also demo boats on the Dryway section.

If you’ve never paddled before or have never been in a true whitewater kayak you can sign up for our 2-day beginner kayak courses to try out the sport.  Beginner courses typically start on Wednesday’s and Saturday’s throughout the summer.

At Zoar, our staff makes the difference when it comes to your whitewater kayaking experience. Our friendly, accommodating team is here to answer any questions you might have, so don’t hesitate to give us a call!

Temperatures can change a lot during a September day and the Deerfield River is always cool, regardless of the time of year or air temperature. When packing your paddling clothes, please plan accordingly and bring clothing layers to accommodate the days fluctuations. Our clinics will run rain or shine.

Wear items such as:

• Synthetic long underwear, garments made of polypropylene, Capilene, or some polyester/spandex blend
• Fleece or wool socks
• Bathing suit
• Fleece or wool jacket/sweater (early/late season or if you tend to chill easily)

Other items to bring:

• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Retaining strap for glasses
• Nose plugs
• Towel
• Required medications
• Extra money for snacks or T-shirts

Zoar Outdoor will provide:

DemoFest site

• Boat- Try out a bunch of them!
• life jacket
• helmet
• paddle
• sprayskirt

Zoar Outdoor base only

• wetsuit
• paddle jacket
• booties

If you own your own equipment, we suggest you use it in the clinic to get used to its quirks.