Paddle School philosophy is "Challenge by Choice"
Instructors will present skills and on-water opportunities to practice those skills during the classes.  It’s your choice whether to take advantage of those opportunities. The instructors and support boaters will encourage you to gently challenge yourself but won’t press you to do something you aren’t comfortable with. You will always have the final call!

The only required skill that all students, in all classes, must demonstrate is a safe water exit from their boat or SUP

TVCC requires this for obvious reasons. Usually, this skill is demonstrated and performed early on the first day.  

All Paddle School classes begin with a warm-up exercise so that the instructor can assess the abilities of the class.

Paddle School classes are designed by an experienced team of TVCC instructors who carefully review the information you provide during registration, including your skill assessment, goals, and personal development objectives. Based on this information, we place you in a class with students of similar ability and goals, and match the group with instructors and support boaters best suited to help you progress. For a more detailed explanation of the Class levels and the types of skills that each Class level typically works on, please see our newly updated Paddle School Class and River Info page.

Classes are typically 5 students with 1 instructor and 2-3 support boaters 
         
We work diligently to maintain a ratio of 1 instructor to 5 students in each class.

After the first day of Paddle School, participants may request adjustments to help maximize their training experience. This may include changing classes, instructors, or rivers if appropriate. Our goal is to ensure you get the most out of the Paddle School experience while continuing to have fun on the water. If you would like to request a change, please speak with your instructor. They will relay your request to the training team, and you will be notified of any updates for the following day.

TVCC follows training standards established by the American Canoe Association (ACA)
          
TVCC Instructors are either ACA Certified Instructors or the most experienced paddlers in our club.

Your instructor will contact you before Paddle School to discuss your paddling skills and goals/objectives
          
The final decision of what level is appropriate for you is up to the instructor. 

After Paddle School

TVCC offers a Whitewater Training Progression program following Paddle School for paddlers of all skill levels, with a particular focus on Class II - Beginner and Class II - Intermediate participants. The program is designed to build on the skills introduced during Paddle School while helping paddlers gain confidence on progressively more challenging water. Each week, participants paddle a different river, providing gradually increasing opportunities to develop and advance their skills. Trips begin the week after Paddle School, while the techniques and muscle memory are still fresh. Participants who take advantage of this program finish the summer with the confidence and skills to paddle the Ocoee River.

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