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

-  We require this for obvious reasons. Usually, this skill is demonstrated and performed early on the first day.  

-  All classes will begin with some sort of warm-up so that the instructor can assess the abilities of the class.

- Classes are designed and put together by an experienced team of TVCC gurus who cull through the information you provided on your registration form including your skill assessment, goals, and personal skills development objectives.  We pair you up with like-minded students and find the best instructor and support boaters to work with you.

Classes are typically 5 students with one instructor and 2-3 support boaters 
         
-  We never exceed a ratio of 1 instructor to 5 students.

-  After the first day of Paddle School you can request changes to ensure you maximize the training opportunity available.  These include asking for a different class, instructor, river, etc.  We want you to get as much out of the Paddle School experience as possible while having fun doing it. Tell your instructor what you’d like and that will get relayed to our team; you will be notified of any changes for the next day.

TVCC follows training standards established by the American Canoe Association (ACA)
          
-  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 after paddle school for all skill levels, with a focus on Level 1 and 2 paddlers, to build on the the skills learned in Paddle School while offering  the chance to build confidence on more challenging water.  Each week a different river is introduced, with ever escalating and challenging opportunities to advance your paddling skills. Trips begin the week following Paddle School while the muscle memory is fresh!  If you take advantage of this program, you will be Ocoee-ready (i.e., confident and able) by the end of Summer!

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