One of the biggest challenges facing a kayaker is moving up a grade. As a class 2 kayaker it is a big step up to class 3 but with some world class coaching and a solid foundation of skills and understanding of whitewater the step up to class 3 becomes a whole lot easier!
We spend 7 days working on your fundamental skills as a whitewater kayaker. From riverside sessions, to theory in the sand, or coaching in the swimming pool, all of these locations alongside our in depth knowledge and world class coaching will help you attain the goal of becoming a confident class 3 kayaker!
Course details
The late Summer and early Autumn is a great time to kayak in Austria and none more so for the class 2 kayaker. The cool nights and crisp early mornings make for the perfect training ground, with plenty of features that are now becoming much more forgiving giving us the ideal opportunity to make the "big" step up to class 3.
Fundamentals of White Water Kayaking
Your body position and the skill of forward paddling are fundamental to everything that we do in our kayak. A dynamic forward paddle stroke is the key to building up confidence and maintaining a line down a rapid.
Throughout the course we work on the fundamentals of body posture, such as how will sit in our kayak. How we hold our paddle also effects our kayaking technique, be it forwards kayaking, turning the kayak, power strokes and of course boofing. Finally we also look at the connection you have with the kayak, are you swimming around in your kayak or are you nice and snug so that when you use your feet or legs for example it transfers straight into kayak giving you confidence, support and most importantly control.
Breaking in and out
Breaking in and out of the river is a basic manoeuvre but with nearly every eddy being different to the other on the river we will work together to improve our fundamental techniques but also develop and work on new techniques and ideas enabling us to become more confident.
Scouting
With scouting it is not just important to see where we need to go but as we start our journey into reading and understanding the dynamics of whitewater, it will help us to plan our line and be one step ahead when we reach that certain point on the rapid or feature.
Looking ahead, reading and predicting river features
The more understanding of whitewater we have, the easier it becomes to read and run rapids. Yes, we do need to get out of kayaks now and again to scout, but the more proficient we become at reading whitewater the more we will develop as kayakers.
Eskimo Roll
The roll is now becoming more important and having knowledge and necessary skill to rol in class 3 whitewater gives us a huge advantage as sometimes we will make a mistake. Having the confidence to stay in the kayak, set up and execute a roll will give us a great deal of confidence and of course satisfaction.
Running waves and keeping the line
Not every wave on a class 3 rapid is straight and simple. Learning to deal with and paddle diagonal waves, V waves, crashing or green waves is an integral part of this course.
Learning to surf waves
This is great fun, in fact it is extremely addictive. However, it also gives us the ability to control our kayak, get feedback from the wave, boat and of course paddle while really helping us gain knowledge and understanding of the rivers.
The lake
The lake is a great place for us to work on boat awareness and control. It also helps us link, modify and blend strokes together in a placed environment giving us a solid foundation to take to the river. As all world class coaches and kayakers will tell you: "time spent on a lake is seldom wasted!"
Practicalities
Instructors / Coaches
All of our coaches / instructor are fully qualified through British Canoeing. They have a wealth of experience not only here in Austria but around the world. Our knowledge of the German speaking Alps is second to none and we are positive that you will not only be blown away by the variety of rivers around Base Arlberg, but just how much your kayaking will improve with us here in the Kayak School Arlberg.
To find out more, just click on the link to Our Team
Experience Required
You should have some experience of kayaking class 2 whitewater. We will be kayaking for around 4 - 5 hours a day, so though you do not need to be an Olympic Athlete you should have a certain amount of paddle fitness or stamina.
Kayaking Equipment
Our equipment in the Kayak School is made by whitewater kayakers for whitewater kayakers!
We pride ourselves on our equipment and as we teach a modern dynamic style of kayaking we require our equipment to fulfil this objective!
We are a whitewater kayak school so we do not use bulky and cumbersome rafting equipment, our buoyancy aids/personal flotation device are designed and cut specifically for whitewater kayaking!
This is the ethos that runs through all of our equipment.
We have currently in our store the full range of Waka Kayaks, Spade Kayaks, various models of Zet and Lettmann kayaks. Our paddles are from Spade and AT with a choice of straight or bent shaft, please note that ALL our paddles are 30 degrees with option of right or left handed white water paddles.
Peak PS have been supplying the Kayak School with their award winning equipment since the start! The kayaking apparel fits perfectly, keeps you warm when you need to be, cool on a hot summers day and you look good. It is award winning, cutting edge and world beating whitewater kayaking equipment.
Group Composition
Our ratio for class 2 -3 whitewater is 1:4. We will not take more than 6 clients on any of these trips and our trips are guaranteed to run with the minimum of 2 clients. This gives you plenty of whitewater action and the opportunity to improve your kayaking and move up a level.
Kit to Bring
If you would like to use your own equipment for the course then please bring it with you. We will check your pfd and helmet to make sure they still going to be of use on the river, also we want you to wear river booties and not sandals. As we teach the modern dynamic way of kayaking, if your kayak is extremely old, long with no edge then we would recommend using one of our newer kayaks.
Accomodation & Food
The majority of our guests stay at this beautiful and quiet Bed and Breakfast house. It was created as an alpine home for skiers in winter and as the Summer became popular for people who like to enjoy the mountains and outdoor sports.
Located downtown in the village of St. Anton. Piltriquitron is quiet, with clean minimalistic Nordic design and Tirolean quality. The concept is inspired by a Patagonian way of living.
Piltriquitron is like no other place in St.Anton. Jacob and Connie are the perfect hosts, they are great people to talk to, they have traveled and explored all sorts of mountain ranges around the world and with this in mind they know just what everyone is looking for in a place to stay!
The rooms as clean, modern, warm and cosy. The substantial breakfast buffet features quality local produce and provides a good healthy base for the days kayaking and they can cater for the majority of diets.
The common living area is a great hangout and the perfect place to chill out and share stories of that days adventure on the river and the surrounding area.
It is our go to accommodation and with so much positive feedback from our guests we are extremely happy to have Piltriquitron as our core partner!
There is a possibility of booking the course without accommodation, just get in touch to let us know you thoughts and plans.
Lunch is a personal choice and we will stop at a local market and bakery so that we can re-fuel after our first run. For dinner you have the option of various restaurants close by.
Dates & Prices
Course dates
We have courses planned on the following dates:
22-29 June 2024 (1 Week)
20-27 July 2024 (1 Week)
24-31 August 2024 (1 Week)
31 August - 07 September 2023 (1 Week)
No date to suite your plans? Just let us know through the contact form. We are pretty flexible here at the Kayak School giving you the best opportunity to see the region from a different perspective!
Course prices
EUR 1500.- per person, including Bed and Breakfast.