DemoFest Clinic Offerings and Registration

Clinic Descriptions

River Run – Focus on Ferries
Location: Xtree – Gap
We will be shuttling from the Zoar Gap Picnic area and paddling downstream to the Zoar Gap Picnic area.  Our goal is to improve your ferries.  We play with the acronym S.A.V.E (Speed, Angle, Vision, Edge) to help you reach your paddling potential.  Learn lots of tips and tricks as we help make your ferries more efficient, easier and smoother.  Let us show you down one of our favorite stretches of whitewater on the Deerfield River.

River Run – Precise eddy catching
Location: Xtree – Gap
The Deerfield has lots of really fun small eddies to catch.  Sometimes they’re hard, but we’ll show you some techniques to improve your chances.  With better strokes, paddle placement and angle management you can increase your success rate at catching the toughest small eddies.

Half Slice kayak clinic
Location: Zoar Gap picnic area
Big bows and slicey sterns are all the rage in boat designs this year.  Let us show you some ways to maximize your fun in a new style whitewater kayak.  New kayaks are much more comfortable then ever before.  Lets get you in a half slice model and play the river.  Stern squirts, edge control, rock splats it’s all fun.

Paddle Placement
Location: flatwater site – Zoar Gap Picnic Area
Whitewater paddlers have a chance to test out your balance and your paddle skills while we work your biomechanics!

Clinic Descriptions

Morning Cartwheels
Location: Flatwater site, some current
Some people drink coffee in the morning others drink coffee and then throw cartwheels.  This high energy clinic will has you warmed up with a series of progressive playboating maneuvers.  It’s a great way to work on your paddling tricks.

Paddling on edge
Location: Flatwater site, some current
This flatwater warm-up will get your mind off RiverFest shenanigan’s from the night before.  Edgy, yes.  Okay, for real’s this is designed to get you warmed up and loosened up for a day of paddling.  Practice some known skills and learn some new ones.  Our instructors will evaluate where your ability is at and add some balance drills and other skills to help you push a bit further on edge.

Spin Control using Draws
Location: Flatwater site, some current
Flat boats skid and loose momentum, boats on edge carve.  Theirs a stroke that can help them carve even more.  One simple stroke done well can take your paddling to the next level.  However, it’s not just one stroke, it’s a family of strokes called – Draws.  Draw strokes control your kayaks spin momentum, carrying your speed through the turn.  Carving.  Better carving through using draws and you can learn how in this clinic.

Improve Skills with Drills
Location: Flatwater site, some current
A morning to remember.  Deerfield Riverfest 2021.  Take down some notes on a set of drills to practice before any paddle session.  We’ll get you loosened up and ready for many great days on the river!

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 novice kayak courses to try out the sport.  Novice 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, T-shirts, or coin-operated showers

Zoar Outdoor will provide:

• Boat -DemoFest site – Try out a bunch of them!
• Zoar Outdoor base only-
• wetsuit
• paddle jacket
• booties
• life jacket
• helmet
• paddle
• sprayskirt

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