Upper Red Deer River Skills Development

Service Description

The upper Red Deer river is an amazing destination for white water canoeing in Southern Alberta! Practically the entire river from White Horse creek to coal camp can be accessed easily from secondary roads on either side of the river. as the Red Deer flows out of the eastern slopes its holds a steady gradient that offers a continuous flow with many intermittent class 2 and 3 rapids. This offers the ability to progress with a group over a number of days. It is a local favorite with ample camping opportunities on crown land. Hunter Valley adventures is offering use of their facilities to help facilitate this adventure. Their property holds river side access, a cook house, rustic accommodation and a friendly environment to unwind in after a hard day of paddling. HVA also can assist in logistics with shuttle services to make the experience super easy. Over the course of four days we will work to build up the group in all skill aspects of white water canoeing. We will be pushing the limits safely to build up the confidence to take on the biggest waves and the most technical maneuvers. We will be refining the basics and then building them by expanding on skills. Adding new ideas by looking at eddys, waves and holes in new ways and breaking free of classic river running approaches. Green Tongue Adventures-GTA can provide fully outfitted tandem and solo canoes, dry suits, pfds, helmets and paddles (rental fees apply) Applicants for this experience should hold an intermediate level of paddling ability (can perform ferries and eddy turns in class 2 water, can mange a good a tempt at front and side surfing, can mange a descending back ferry), be strong swimmers and be in good physical shape. The challenges of paddling white water require the acceptance of risk in the possibility of injury or death by any means of drowning, trauma or environmental exposure. Your safety is paramount! GTA's instructors and guides all hold current Swift Water Rescue, Wilderness First Responder and Canoe Instructor certification. GTA holds the right to cancel or refuse service in the case of unfit participants relative to the activity, sudden weather events or and circumstances that are outside the realm of safety in the practice of any skill or trip. GTA holds the right to refuse the use of and PPE or river craft unfit for the current or planned environment.