Get Your Kids Out on the River in a Kayak this Summer!

The Columbia Gorge is home to many different water sports – kite boarding, windsurfing, whitewater kayaking, and rafting. At Wet Planet, we feel it is valuable for a child’s development to be encouraged to try a variety of sports starting at a young age. In line with our philosophy of sharing our passion for river running with our guests, we have developed a 4-day kids' kayaking camp that will help build paddling skills, confidence, and an appreciation for the beautiful area we live in.

Take advantage of the Wet Planet Kids Kayak Camp, and let us help your kids learn the invaluable knowledge necessary to play safely in the river environment!

This 4-day kids program is designed around the sport of whitewater kayaking. Each day we will review and progress whitewater kayaking skills, focusing on "river safety" and using fun and interactive games to develop paddling skills and confidence. We'll also work hard to challenge the students creativity, both on and off the water, with cool projects that will be worked on throughout the camp. It is our goal in this program, to encourage each child to continue playing in the outdoors and practicing their paddling skills long after our camp has ended. As some of the world’s best paddlers – who live right here in the gorge – will tell you: continuity, repetition and persistence are the best way to develop solid skills and good paddling habits. Although we may focus on paddling, there will still be plenty of time for everyone to develop good friendships. It is what rivers tend to do for all of us.

Wet Planet’s Unique Facilities and Outdoor Setting
At Wet Planet we have the unique opportunity to utilize our own private outdoor pool for our instruction. Located right on the Wet Planet property, the pool is the perfect place for a comfortable introduction to whitewater kayaking. In addition, our facilities are located on 4 acres of river and creek side property right along the White Salmon River. We are fortunate to be able to take advantage of this perfect outdoor classroom!

Who is the class for?
This camp is for children brand new to the sport or those who are still becoming “comfortable” in a kayak on the water. All students are encouraged to attend the entire camp, which will allow them to build and progress on their skills each day. However, it is also fine for children to attend some classes, while missing others. We'll make sure they have the skills and knowledge to feel comfortable with the rest of the group.

Ages Groups:
- Ages 8-12
- Ages 12-15

Sample of a Day's Schedule:
9 am – meet at Wet Planet
9.30 – 11.30 am Kayak Games at Northwestern Lake
12.00 – 12.45 pm Lunch and Free Time at Wet Planet
1.00 – 2.30 pm Skills Practice in the Wet Planet Pool
2.30 – 4.00 pm Project Time (example: work on writing a blog for their camp experiences)
4.15 pm Departure

Kayak Camp Project:
The students will be given the opportunity and responsibility to work on the following project:
- Create and upkeep an internet blog in which they can show all their friends what they have done and learned that day, with pictures and descriptions in their own words. Wet Planet guides and instructors who have maintained blogs while travelling with their kayaks will assist the students with this project.

Kids' Kayak Camp Dates: August 9th - August 12th, 2010

Cost: $340 (includes all river gear and lunches)

Lakes/Rivers: Rowland Lake, Northwestern Lake, Lower Klickitat River, Hood River, Lower White Salmon River

Wet Planet Kayaking Instructors for our Youth Program.
All of our instructors love what they do, have a passion for running rivers, and love getting younger paddlers hooked on their favorite sport.

Experience ……
Our professional instructors are certified by the American Canoe Association or BCU, have First Aid / CPR or Wilderness First Responder training, and are Whitewater Rescue Technician certified.

Many paddlers think that the only requirement for running waterfalls is Guts. Wow, are they wrong! Running challenging drops, especially the style of whitewater that is common in the creeks of the Pacific Northwest, is all about your ability to keep your bow up and keep your boat on the surface at all times. Without good boofing technique, this is not possible.

In this clinic, we will focus on the techniques necessary to stick your boof every time: stroke placement, timing, body positioning, lateral momentum, edge transitions, and smooth and fast landings.

On the river, we will use correct boofing technique to clear over holes, drop into tight eddies, and run vertical drops. In addition to the skills needed to successfully boof everytime, we will focus on combining these skills with the good judgment and decision making practices to needed to approach the bigger rapids. We'll discuss and practice aspects of big drop running such as: scouting, the approach and the landing, the decision to run or walk, setting safety, and boofing verses plugging.

Learn to Boof Every Time with Wet Planet!

The course is led by Wet Planet Instructors Andy Round, Heather Herbeck, and Todd Collins. Get out on the water with these Wet Planet creek fanatics, and enjoy the opportunity to improve your boofing skills.

Rivers: Wind River (Shiperds Falls), White Salmon River, Farmlands, West Fork of the Hood, East Fork of the Lewis; river choice depends upon water levels.

Get out on the river with other women!

In a testosterone dominant sport, such as whitewater kayaking, we tend to forget our feminine side. We hear people yell out, "Paddle harder", "Be aggressive" and "Suck it up!" Right? Sometimes women just want to relax, paddle in pink, and have a fun-filled day on the river with just the gals!

Now you can feed both sides of your personality on one Sunday of each month, starting in May! Wet Planet is hosting the following Womens-Only clinics, led by team Jackson paddler and Wet Planet instructor Heather Herbeck.

COST: $95 each Sunday (except for Sept. 19th, Tieton River Day - $45)
Register for every Sunday and receive 10% off
the total price!

TIME: 9:00 - 9:30 - Introductions and gear gathering
9:30 - 10:00 am - YOGA overlooking Rattlesnake Rapid
10:00 - 5:00 (ish) pm - Paddle (Lunch provided on the river)

Note: Sept. 19th, the Tieton River 1/2 Day is 9:00 - 12:30 p.m.

This is a unique opportunity to get together, celebrate women on the water and fine tune the skills that will help you style your way down the river!

2010 Dates: March 6th; April 11th; June 13th;  Sign up today!

Spring is rapidly approaching, and we are all eagerly anticipating another great Spring of paddling when this winter's snowpack begins to melt. Are your rescue skills ready?

This one-day river rescue course is designed to provide hands on practice in basic rescue skills for whitewater paddlers unable to attend a three-day rescue course or for paddlers with previous rescue training interested in freshening up their skills before the season begins. The course is designed for private whitewater kayakers or other whitewater paddlers who will not be carrying the large quantities of gear typically found on commercial rafting trips or multi-day trips. We will explore rescue techniques that can be performed using basic rescue gear typically carried on private paddling trips (ropes, a few biners, prusicks & webbing, and rescue jackets). We will begin by discussing basic rescue concepts, group organization, and gear. The course will then move through basic rescue techniques, such as aggressive swimming, boat towing, throw ropes, and simple rope systems (including knots, anchors, and mechanical advantage) in order to perform rescues on swimmers, entrapped victimes, and pinned boats.

We've kept the cost of this course low, because we strongly believe that everyone should have rescue training! If you've had rescue training before, this course is a great opportunity to refresh and practice those skills.

The course is led by Wet Planet co-owner Todd Collins, a Rescue3 International swiftwater rescue instructor and a NOLS swiftwater rescue instructor-trainer.

"I believe that strong rescue skills are the best sign of respect for the other people that you paddle with. Every member of a paddling group, whether they're on class II or V, has a responsibility to the people they are with to take the time and energy to develop solid river rescue skills. These days, when I'm looking for paddling partners, I'm more interested in whether or not they've got the skills to take care of me if I get in trouble than I am in whether or not they can huck the big drop." - Todd Collins

Are you interested in developing the skills that will allow you to explore the amazing creek paddling available in the Pacific Northwest? If so, this clinic is for you!

This one-day clinic is designed specifically for intermediate/advanced paddlers who have the desire to work on their creeking skills in order to begin enjoying many of the amazing Pacific Northwest creek runs. We will practice tight eddy turns, boofing, running waterfalls, getting out of holes, technical paddling maneuvers, scouting, and setting up "safety" for your paddling partners. Paddling in a supportive environment, we will focus on the skills necessary to get you and your paddling companions down technical whitewater runs. This clinic is designed to build your boating confidence and skills, allowing you to make wise boating decisions when out on the water.

Get your creek on!

This clinic is led by Wet Planet Instructor and Professional Kayaker Andy Round,Wet Planet instructor and Team Jackson paddler Heather Herbeck, and Wet Planet co-owner Todd Collins. Get out on the water with the Wet Planet team, and enjoy the opportunity to improve your creeking skills while enjoying some of our favorite backyard runs.

At Wet Planet we have an amazing wealth of river experience. Our guides, instructors, and staff have lived and worked in river communities all over the United States and world. From ½ day commercial trips to remote multi-week expeditions, our passion for river travel and the whitewater industry has generated experience as both guides and educators. We love being on the river, and love sharing our river experience with future guides and river travelers.

Wet Planet Whitewater Guide School

Objective:

- To gain an introduction to raft guiding on class III-IV whitewater, with a focus on paddle rafting guiding (we have the option to row as well).
- To begin developing solid judgment in the whitewater river environment.
- To meet Washington State guiding requirements: 50+ hours of training, as well as first aid and CPR training and certification.
- To achieve a positive and rewarding introduction and immersion into the world of whitewater raft guiding and the community we live, work, and play in.

Who is the course for?

For those who wish to seek employment in the river industry and for those who wish to learn the skills needed to captain/guide their own raft.

Course Curriculum:

- Fundamentals of hydrology, river terminology, and water reading
- Technical skills required to maneuver rafts on a whitewater river
- River safety and communication
- River etiquette
- Basic rescue training including rapid swimming, raft flipping, and throw ropes
- Guest service, logistics, and dynamics of a commercial (or private) river trip
- Equipment and gear care and maintenance
- Risk Management
- First aid/CPR training

Rivers Utilized for Training: (depending upon water level)

- White Salmon River
- Klickitat River
- Hood River
- Wind River (depending upon attained skill level)

Price:

$500 Included: All instruction and course material, lunch each day, any gear and equipment needed, shuttle to each river, First Aid and CPR training is offered optionally during the guide school, and there is an additional $40 fee.

What to Bring:

Be prepared to be in the river in cold, wet weather. We recommend a dry-suit for maximum comfort. If you don’t have your own gear, we can provide wet-suits, splash jackets, and booties.

Location:

All weekends classes will be based out of the Wet Planet headquarters. You are welcome to pitch a tent and use the facilities. All transportation to and from rivers will be taken care of by Wet Planet.

Employment at Wet Planet:

Employment at Wet Planet after successful completion of the course is not guaranteed. Employment with Wet Planet depends upon attained skill level, personal dedication and the company's needs. For those wishing to work in the whitewater industry after the course, we will help you determine appropriate rivers. Please realize that not everyone develops the skills needed to guide a raft in their first season. School graduates may be invited to continue training with Wet Planet on our regular commercial trips, until both you and Wet Planet feel you have sufficient technical skills and are ready to carry the responsibility of guiding a raft commercially.

Other recommended training at Wet Planet, following the Guide School:

Swift Water Rescue training (WRT certification by Rescue3) – Highly recommended for graduates of the guide school.

Normal price: $325. Guide School graduates pay only $275.
Click for more info.

Headwaters Institute Seminar

An educational Seminar for the White Salmon Guide community with a focus on the river’s natural history and topics concerning the upcoming removal of the Condit Dam.

Highly recommended for guides or anyone who has an interest in paddling on the White Salmon River.

For Paddlers, Professional River Guides, Whitewater Instructors, and Search and Rescue Personnel

The skills necessary to perform rescues in a whitewater environment are essential for all paddlers and rescue personnel, from the professional raft guide, to the private kayaker, to a Search and Rescue team member. At Wet Planet, we offer our knowledge and experience to those looking to increase their swift water rescue skills. We provide three-day river rescue courses designed by paddlers for paddlers, utilizing experiential learning in actual river environments. The course mixes classroom instruction with hands-on practice in the river environment, focusing quick and efficient techniques to respond to rescue situations that may occur in the whitewater environment. Typical topics for the course include: rescue gear and preparation, rescue organization, practice with rescue ropes, whitewater swimming, strong swimmer rescues, shallow water diving and wading, victim stabilization, boat retrieval, ropes systems, mechanical advantage systems, and strainer management. These rescue skills are practiced and refined during a series of realistic river scenarios.

This course meets the requirements for certification as either Whitewater Rescue Technician (WRT) or Swiftwater Rescue Tecnician 1 (SRT 1) by Rescue3 International.

The cost: $325 for WRT certification by Rescue3 / $370 for SRT 1 certification by Rescue3 (lunches provided on all three days) This swift water rescue course meets the Forest Service and Washington State requirements for river rescue certification required of whitewater guides in the Columbia River Gorge. Whitewater Rescue Technician (WRT) or Swiftwater Rescue Technicial 1 (SRT 1) certification provided by Rescue3 International. The WRT certification is appropriate for whitewater paddlers and anyone working in the whitewater industry.  The SRT 1 certification is only necessary for individuals working for an agency (typically government related) that require SRT 1 and NFPA certification to meet their requirements.  (Please call us if you have any questions about the different cerfitications).