Introduction to Sturgeon Falls

• Prerequisites: This course is intended for stand up paddlers with previous experience and who have completed our Introduction to River SUP Skills course (River 1) or equivalent. Participants must be at least 16 years of age.
• Course includes: A combination of dry land and on-water SUP instruction from certified and experienced Paddle Canada instructors
• 4:1 student to instructor ratio: Giving you the best in personalized instruction and feedback.
• All technical paddling gear: Please see the Gear and Clothing tab.

Please note that the course does not include personal clothing or gear, food, or travel. Please see the Gear and Clothing tab.

Course Cancellation: It is rare that we cancel a session due to weather considerations however we will do so if, in our judgement, the conditions are dangerous or are likely to present a poor learning environment.

Please arrive about 15 minutes early, so that you are unloaded, changed, and ready to begin at the start time. Arriving late will cut into your instructional time, and that of others on the course.

• Saturday (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM): The day will be spent focusing on river surfing out at Sturgeon Falls in the Whiteshell Provincial Park. Sturgeon offers a variety of different standing waves for participants to choose from. We will meet at the Nutimik Lake campground boat launch. After introductions, safety discussion, and getting geared up, we will paddle out to the falls for the duration of the day.

Attention: Although we do our best to work through all course content, please note that logistics, location, timing, itinerary or anything else, may be adjusted by your instructor to ensure group safety, comfort and success, over the duration of the course.

We provide the technical paddling gear that you will need appropriate to the course as part of your course costs:

• Brand name paddleboards by Badfish.
• Adjustable paddle, leash, PFD, signal whistle, throwbag, helmet.
• You are welcome to bring and learn on your own paddling gear if you have it. (Please note course fees remain the same.)

You will need to bring your own personal gear and clothing for the session:

• Cold water immersion clothing is a must. As a minimum we recommend a shorty style neoprene wetsuit or one-piece neoprene paddle top combined with neoprene shorts or leggings. And that’s for warm weather conditions.
• For warmer season/conditions: quick-dry or warm-when-wet outdoor athletic gear. Think paddle tops, rashguards, breathable hiking layers, merino wool, boardshorts ,athletic swimwear.
• Insulating layers, weatherproof shell layers.
• Towel and warm, dry change of clothes (just in case!)
• Secure protective footwear such as water shoes, paddle shoes, neoprene paddle/surf booties or sport sandals.
• Headwear: sun hat, toque (warm hat), sunglasses with straps.
• Any personal first aid, medications, sunscreen etc.
• Waterproof and floatable camera.
• Food for the day, high energy snacks, drinking water.
• Thermos with hot drink for cool days.