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After four years of building the world’s largest whitewater stand up paddleboarding program, RO is ready to let your kids in on a full week of that action!! We launched this program last summer and it was a ton of fun, and it was wonderful watching our campers grow as paddlers and outdoor stewards. Adventurous, river-loving kids who want to learn to paddleboard will find the best week of their summer break with our expert instructors at RO. If your kids dig ANY board sport, from surfing to snowboarding to skateboarding to wakeboarding, this camp will develop many of the same skill sets and sense of accomplishment.
Paddleboard camp is perfect for participants from 12-17 years old. This is the place to get wet for a week and learn how to paddleboard down urban whitewater right here in RVA! By starting off paddling flat water, we will develop the skills that are used to progress through moving water to challenging Class II whitewater. This is the same section of river we have paddled with almost 4,000 12-73 year olds over the last 4 summers…safety and respect for our surroundings is of the utmost importance to us. This camp will cover all the skills in the American Canoe Association WWSUP level 3 curriculum and begin to delve into level 4.
We fill this curriculum out with activities involving the James river and our wild urban whitewater environment. On-board instruction will be supplemented with other activities, including: whitewater safety, hydrology, fresh-water ecology, environmental education, and community service. Not to worry, there’s no classroom here, just ample doses of fish, birds, insects, reptiles, amphibians, plant life, and STOKE.
Swimming is an inherent part of whitewater paddleboarding, so participants should be confident swimmers with at least a moderate level of physical fitness in order to spend long days out playing in the water.
Your kids will grow as part of the RO team under the supervision of 1 instructor for every 4 participants. Camp will be limited to 12 participants per week.
Our goal with this program is to create a passion for water based adventure, stewardship for the James river and its importance to the city that grew up around it. This is an experience that can influence a life-long love of water adventure.
Bring a brown-bag lunch and plenty of sun screen. Water refills provided by RO. Full details will be emailed upon registration.
Paddleboard Camp is held on, and in, the James River running through RVA’s award winning James River Park System.
2017 Sessions:
June 26 – 30
July 10 – 14
July 17 – 21
July 31 – Aug 4