Missouri Whitewater Association

Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Course - CANCELLED
2024-04-06 08:00 - 2024-04-07 17:00 (America/Chicago) | National Great Rivers Museum, 2 Lock And Dam Way, East Alton, IL, 62024, United States
THIS COURSE WAS CANCELLED DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ENROLLMENT
All day, Saturday am – Sunday pm. The course will be taught by Tom Burroughs (see below). Registration is through Ozark Safety And Rescue Educators (OSRA). Contact the instructor via email if you are interested.
Wilderness First Aid and/or CPR Registration (all except TRR) – https://www.cognitoforms.com/OSREIntrepid/RegistrationForSierraRescueInternationalWildernessFirstAidCourseApril672024AndorApril6thCPRCourse

TRR Wilderness First Aid and/or CPR Registration (for veterans & service members) – https://www.cognitoforms.com/OSREIntrepid/TeamRiverRunnerRegistrationForSierraRescueInternationalWildernessFirstAidCourseApril672024AndorApril6th
This two-day (16 hours min) course immerses participants in basic wilderness medicine procedures, preparing individuals to take immediate action when an outdoor activity doesn’t go as planned and 911 responders are hours away. Time is split between interactive classroom sessions and hands-on field scenarios to prepare participants and help them quickly develop basic backcountry medical care skills. The course focus is on patient assessment, stabilization and emergency treatment of issues such as hypothermia and snakebites, as well as understanding when and how to attempt evacuation. This course includes additional focus for paddlesports, including wound cleaning and closure, as well as the reduction of simple shoulder dislocations. Participants will emerge capable of calmly responding to a wide variety of emergency situations.
All mandatory program supplies and a course field guide are provided by Ozark Safety and Rescue Educators (OSRE) as part of the program cost. Successful completion of the entire program will result in a three-year nationally recognized Wilderness First Aid Certification through Sierra Rescue International.
We will start promptly at 8:00 am and will be finishing by 5:30 pm both days. Please arrive a few minutes early to complete the waivers and paperwork. Note, a CPR course is offered Saturday night, 4/6/24 (after WFA, same location, separate price).
Please be sure to dress in clothing that can get very dirty/stained as we will be outdoors repeatedly, and it will likely be muddy and wet! We do use stage makeup, which does not always wash out of clothing well. Basically, prepare to be messy! We will be going outside regardless of weather conditions for practice, so be sure to be prepared! We strongly suggest bringing a folding camp chair (we have found that some folks prefer them, and we may do some classroom sessions outside, if it is not raining). We encourage you to bring an old tee shirt or two to cut up as part of our impromptu supplies practice.
Meals: We strongly suggest bringing a sack lunch, as we will only have 45 minutes total for lunch. You’re welcome to bring a cooler with your own food/drink. The Museum (classroom site) has a gift shop that sells simple snacks & beverages.
Lodging: There are nearby hotels & Airbnb.
Location: National Great Rivers Museum, 2 Lock and Dam Way, East Alton, IL 62024.
Taught by Tom Burroughs, SwiftwaterRescue@gmail.com, 479-595-1655
ACA Safety and Rescue Committee Chair
ACA L-5 Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Trainer Educator
ACA L-4 Whitewater Kayak Instructor Trainer Educator
ACA L-4 Whitewater Rafting Instructor Trainer
2015 ACA “Excellence in Instruction” National Award Recipient
ITRA Level 3V Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
NREMT/EMT-W/MPIC – Wilderness Medicine Instructor
Team Leader- Washington CO AR Search and Rescue team
Director, Ozark Safety and Rescue Educators / Clear Creek Paddlesports
Member- Wilderness Medical Society
Please read the letter that will be sent to registrants from the instructor and reach out if you have any questions, to Tom about the course (see above); for other logistics, to Sally Haywood 314-374-9206 <haywood.sally@gmail.com >; or Melissa Sauter 314-681-9372 <info@mississippiriverwatertrail.org>
Cost: $225. Minimum registrants 12 (for course to happen); Maximum 20.
See MWA Training Reimbursement Policy. MWA reimburses for certain trainings with an MWA volunteer commitment expectation. You do need to fill out a web-based reimbursement request after you volunteer.
Military service members or veterans, Team River Runner (TRR) has a grant that will enable them to reimburse you after the successful completion of this course. If interested, please contact Tom Cooke, the StL TRR Chapter Coordinator, at stltrr@teamriverrunner.org or 314-707-0150. For reimbursement, the expectation is that use your new skills as a future volunteer with TRR.

CPR - adult, child, & infant - CANCELLED
2024-04-06 18:00 - 21:30 | National Great Rivers Museum, 2 Lock And Dam Way, East Alton, IL, 62024, United States
THIS COURSE WAS CANCELLED DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ENROLLMENT
Registration is through Ozark Safety And Rescue Educators (OSRA).
Wilderness First Aid and/or CPR Registration (all except TRR) – https://www.cognitoforms.com/OSREIntrepid/RegistrationForSierraRescueInternationalWildernessFirstAidCourseApril672024AndorApril6thCPRCourse

TRR Wilderness First Aid and/or CPR Registration (for veterans and service members) – https://www.cognitoforms.com/OSREIntrepid/TeamRiverRunnerRegistrationForSierraRescueInternationalWildernessFirstAidCourseApril672024AndorApril6th
Spots for the course will be preserved for MWA and Missouri Team River Runner (TRR) and Mississippi River Water Trail Association (MRWTA) until 60 days prior (then wide open to all).
This three-hour Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification course is an official training in the basic emergency medical procedure against cardiac arrest. The courses teaches people how to execute chest compression with artificial ventilation or an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). The goal is to preserve a person’s organ/brain function and avoid tissue decompensation until medical help can be engaged. The course will cover these processes for adults, children, and infants. All mandatory program supplies and a course field guide are provided by Ozark Safety and Rescue Educators (OSRE) as part of the program cost.
Successful completion of the entire program will result in a two-year nationally recognized CPR Certification through American CPR. This course meets the requirement of all ACA instructors.
We will start promptly at 6:00 pm and will be finishing by 9:30 pm. Please arrive a few minutes early to complete the waivers and paperwork. You are welcome to bring a cooler with your own food/drink. Lodging: There are nearby hotels & Airbnb.
Location: National Great Rivers Museum, 2 Lock and Dam Way, East Alton, IL 62024.
Taught by Tom Burroughs, SwiftwaterRescue@gmail.com, 479-595-1655
ACA Safety and Rescue Committee Chair
ACA L-5 Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Trainer Educator
ACA L-4 Whitewater Kayak Instructor Trainer Educator
ACA L-4 Whitewater Rafting Instructor Trainer
2015 ACA “Excellence in Instruction” National Award Recipient
ITRA Level 3V Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
NREMT/EMT-W/MPIC – Wilderness Medicine Instructor
Team Leader- Washington CO AR Search and Rescue team
Director, Ozark Safety and Rescue Educators / Clear Creek Paddlesports
Member- Wilderness Medical Society
Please read the letter that will be sent to registrants from the instructor and reach out if you have any questions, to Tom about the course (see above); for other logistics, to Sally Haywood 314-374-9206 <haywood.sally@gmail.com >; or Melissa Sauter 314-681-9372 <info@mississippiriverwatertrail.org>
Cost: $50. Minimum registrants 6 (for course to happen); Maximum 12.
See MWA Training Reimbursement Policy. MWA reimburses for certain trainings with an MWA volunteer commitment expectation. You do need to fill out a web-based reimbursement request after you volunteer.
Military service members or veterans, Team River Runner (TRR) has a grant that will enable them to reimburse you after the successful completion of this course. If interested, please contact Tom Cooke, the StL TRR Chapter Coordinator, at stltrr@teamriverrunner.org or 314-707-0150. For reimbursement, the expectation is that use your new skills as a future volunteer with TRR.

MWA & TRR Rendezvous at WOKA Whitewater Park, Oklahoma
2024-06-06 08:00 - 2024-06-10 11:00 | Waters of Oklahoma and Arkansas (WOKA) Whitewater Park, 474986 Twin Falls Rd, Watts, OK, 74964, United States
Collaborative event, MWA & TRR Central Region. Thurs-Sun, June 6-10, 2024, Rendezvous at the Waters of Oklahoma and Arkansas (WOKA) Whitewater Park, located in Watts, Oklahoma (Approx 6 hours from StL). WOKA price is $10 per carload of boaters. WOKA website. There are 8 drops / chutes / rapids, which have increasing levels of challenge.
Contact: Debbie Dean, TRR Central Region Coordinator, Debbie.dean@teamriverrunner.org
Registration needed by 29 May. TRR will cover expenses for veterans & ACA instructors. All are welcome (non-vets paying $50). Campsite and most food included. Bring your own camping gear or you can opt to pay for a nearby hotel. Several MWA & SLCKC members are joining!
Central Region TRR has reserved the entire Campground of Gypsy Camp and Canoe, 20271 Hwy 59, Siloam Springs, Arkansas. There are 7 elect RV spots and plenty of tent sites. We will need to vacate our reservation Monday morning 6/10/24).
There are two water parks to play on right on the Illinois River. Just 4 miles upstream from our camping spots is the calmer Siloam Springs Kayak Park; and 4 miles downstream is WOKA. You can play there all day, then let the river take you down to Gypsy when it is dinnertime. You can paddle all day on the Illinois River where we are camping. Google Siloam Springs Kayak Park and also go to this website: visitWOKA.com . You can lease boats and rafts thru Gypsy, they will shuttle you to the put ins.
Application for WOKA Event: Be sure to hit submit when you are done with the application. If you struggle with the forms below please text Debbie Dean for help, 405 249-9498.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Hwa9DNyfhfia32ni5rCZnTg3CWHLXFBx1ZofUhTsBG0/edit
WaiverSign
Great place to practice beginner and intermediate paddling skills. TRR will have ACA instructors in attendance. https://ors.teamriverrunner.org/event-view/2538
Please call Debbie Dean (below) to reserve your spot and receive a confirmation number, then send in your forms and check. Debbie will include the waiver from Gypsy and the application for camping. The price on the application is for the entire event. The fees are for breakfast and dinner at camp. You are on your own for lunch. Mail Check and application after calling 405.249.9498 and verifying your spot, to: Team River Runner OKC, 11321 S Hiwassee Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73165.
Come out and meet Joe Mornini one of the founders of Team River Runner and other National Staff members during the WOKA event. This year we will have 5 blind kayakers paddling with us to include Lonnie Bedwell. Lonnie was the first blind paddler to kayak all the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. In 2018 Team River Runner took 5 blind Veterans down the Canyon for 27 days. You can go to YOU TUBE and watch the videos or google blind kayakers kayaking the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. The National staff will be with us at Gypsey camp and Canoe and WOKA on 8-9 June.

Cedar Hill end of moving water practice & celebration! Aug 7 & 14
2024-08-14 18:00 - 19:30 | Cedar Hill Park, Big River, 6801 Cedar Hill Rd, Cedar Hill, MO, 63016, United States
Aug 7 & 14th – Celebrations & End of Wednesday evening Moving Water Training and Practice sessions. We’ll play in the Big River wave at the park. Come with all of your own gear, including a whitewater helmet and airbags.
Waiver: Please sign this waiver before paddling: https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/e/FEYcRoRnJYb92ySx2jFiy8/.
Fees: You must be an ACA member to participate. With your membership, there is no charge.
Bring snacks & beverages to celebrate at the end of our paddling time.
Questions? Ty Wagner – ty27wagner@gmail.com, 920-530-5594
Team River Runner participants, contact us if you need gear– stltrr@teamriverrunner.org

TRR & MWA boat fix it day
2024-10-06 12:00 - 16:00 | Alpine Shop – Kirkwood, 440 N Kirkwood Rd, Kirkwood, MO, 63122, United States
The St. Louis Team River Runner (TRR) Chapter owns a small fleet of kayaks, many of which could use some minor repair work. Several of us would like to learn to repair our kayaks. We will have a hands-on teaching opportunity to learn minor kayak repair, working on the TRR boats. Volunteers, Bill Eades and Perry Whitaker, will lead teaching of repairs on TRR boats.
We hope you’ll gain knowledge/experience. You can purchase your own repair parts at the Alpine Shop– 10% discount for MWA or TRR members. (We do not expect time to allow for supervised repairs of personal boats.)
TRR’s Mission is to provide all veterans/service members and their families an opportunity to find health, healing, community purpose, and new challenges through adventure and adaptive paddle sports! TRR sponsors many adaptive and integrative paddle sport opportunities, as well as trainings, locally, regionally, and nationally. TRR is always eager for more volunteers, both veterans & civilians.
Questions? Contact Sally Haywood <sally.haywood@teamriverrunner.org> 314-374-9206; OR Devin Gates <stltrr@teamriverrunner.org> 314-904-6443, StL TRR Chapter Coordinator.

Intro to Whitewater Kayaking: Kids Ages 7-15
2024-10-20 12:00 - 13:30 | Lindbergh High School Pool, 5000 Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63126, United States
Kids are invited to enroll in a 3-session intro class to Whitewater Kayaking! Come discover this fun and exciting sport! Enjoy games to start building your skills and strength to help start kayaking. Learn basic paddle strokes, boat balance, boat entry/exit, and intro to river running skills/communication. Boats and paddles are included. No additional equipment needed. This course is taught by instructors with Missouri Whitewater Association. You must be comfortable swimming and treading in deep water, as the pool depth is 7 feet.

Guest Appreciation Festival (GAF) at the NOC
2024-10-25 - 2024-10-27 | Nantahala Outdoor Center, 13077 U.S. 19 West,, Bryson City, NC, 28713, United States
October 25, 11:00 AM – October 27, 2024, 8:00 PM. Several MWA folk are attending this event– Guest Appreciation Festival – Nantahala Outdoor Center (noc.com). Join us. This is not an official MWA trip, but many of us will be paddling together. Folks are carpooling and wrangling up accommodations as they can.
To chat with folks who have gone to GAF in the past, be in touch with Willow Pratt Ellis <jwillowellis@gmail.com> 816- 3722165 OR Matt Ellis <Matthew.a.ellis87@gmail.com>.

River des Peres Trash Bash
2024-10-26 08:45 - 12:00 | Whitecliff Park, 9245 Whitecliff Pk Ln, St. Louis, MO, 63126, United States
MWA & TRR will participate in the annual Open Space STL River des Peres Trash Bash on October 26, 2024 (the fourth Saturday in October)!
Registration is open on the Open Space volunteer portal. Click here to create an account, sign your annual waiver, and ‘fan’ the River des Peres Trash Bash program so you never miss an opportunity! Gloves and trash bags will be provided and volunteers will receive a FREE t-shirt. This annual clean-up event is open to all ages.
(20+) River Des Peres Trash Bash! https://volunteer.openspacestl.org/event/detail/?event_id=94813 | Facebook – Come on a Saturday morning and do some good! The site is mostly flat with a small creek. So great for the kiddos! We’d love to see you there. I’ll be there around 8 or so with doughnuts for the early risers. (I heard a rumor that the more trash the MWA picks up the more rain the Saint gets) Sounds legit, right?
SYOTR! Jeff Clawges <claegesja@msn.com>

Intro to Whitewater Kayaking for Youth
2024-10-27 12:00 - 13:30 | Lindbergh High School Pool, 5000 Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63126, United States
Sign up for the series. Dates: 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 12-1:30 pm at Lindbergh High School.
Contact Alex Clerc, clerc_alex@yahoo.com, 314-620-6056

2025 MWC Planning Meeting
2024-11-06 18:30 - 20:00 | Orion Genomics, 3730 Foundry way, Suite 218, St. Louis, MO, 63102, United States
Among other topics we will be discussing plans to purchase a large walled tent for us to have our Saturday Race banquet up near the Silvermines Campground. In person at Orion Genomics, 3730 Foundry way (South Spring Street) Suite 218 (next to Puttshack), or online via the Teams link

November MWA General Meeting
2024-11-12 19:00 - 20:00 | MO
The general meeting for the MWA is open to the public and prospective members.
The meeting will be HYBRID:

Join in-person, 7pm at the The Old Mine House Fredericktown
Join virtually on ZOOM, https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84537540171

Or, Dial-in: +1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 845 3754 0171
MWA holds general members meetings every other month at 7 pm (January, March, May, July, September, November) on the 2nd Tuesday. The standard exception is the September meeting, which is our Annual MWA Members event – float trip, dinner, and annual meeting.
Future meetings may be hybrid meetings (Zoom with a face-to-face option) if there’s enough interest. MWA meetings will be available online so folks that can’t make it in person have the opportunity to participate.
Questions or suggestions, contact <leadership@missouriwhitewater.org> or one of the MWA Board Members.

Open Pool Kayak Practice Session 4
2024-11-15 08:00 - 17:00 | Webster University Pool, 175 Edgar Rd, Webster Groves, MO, 63119, United States
MWA & Team River Runner, St. Louis Chapter (TRR StL) have launched a collaboration with Webster University Center’s pool! 12/14/24, Saturday 1-2:30 pm, This is open to the first 15 people registered each week. Register here
Veterans: Sessions are free and TRR can provide a boat & gear.
Civilians: Sessions are $10 each, you bring your clean gear, and we request that you join MWA prior to your 2nd pool session.
POCs = Alex Clerc, 314-620-6056; and Sally Haywood. <training@missouriwhitewater.org>

Open Pool Kayak Practice Session 1
2024-11-16 12:45 - 14:30 | Webster University Pool, 175 Edgar Rd, Webster Groves, MO, 63119, United States
MWA & Team River Runner, St. Louis Chapter (TRR StL) have launched a collaboration with Webster University Center’s pool! Starting 11/16/24, Saturdays 1-2:30 pm, through 2/22/25 (13 sessions). This is open to the first 15 people registered each week. All participants need to sign a TRR waiver and pre-register here.
Veterans: Sessions are free and TRR can provide a boat & gear.
Civilians: Sessions are $10 each, you bring your clean gear, and we request that you join MWA prior to your 2nd pool session.
POCs = Alex Clerc, 314-620-6056; and Sally Haywood. <training@missouriwhitewater.org>

Open Pool Kayak Practice Session 2
2024-11-23 13:00 - 14:30 | Webster University Pool, 175 Edgar Rd, Webster Groves, MO, 63119, United States
MWA & Team River Runner, St. Louis Chapter (TRR StL) have launched a collaboration with Webster University Center’s pool! 11/23/24, Saturday 1-2:30 pm. Register here
Open to first 15 people registered each week. Join us once or weekly. Costs:

Veterans & ACA kayak instructors: Sessions free.
Civilians: Sessions $10 each with request that you join MWA.

Bring your own CLEAN gear OR TRR can provide a boat & gear for you (arrive at 12:45 pm for boat fitting).
POCs = Alex Clerc, 314-620-6056; and Sally Haywood. <training@missouriwhitewater.org>

Open Pool Kayak Practice Session 3
2024-12-07 13:00 - 14:30 | Webster University Pool, 175 Edgar Rd, Webster Groves, MO, 63119, United States
MWA & Team River Runner, St. Louis Chapter (TRR StL) have launched a collaboration with Webster University Center’s pool! 12/7/24, Saturday 1-2:30 pm, This is open to the first 15 people registered each week. Register here
Veterans: Sessions are free and TRR can provide a boat & gear.
Civilians: Sessions are $10 each, you bring your clean gear, and we request that you join MWA prior to your 2nd pool session.
POCs = Alex Clerc, 314-620-6056; and Sally Haywood. <training@missouriwhitewater.org>

MWA Holiday Party @ Main & Mill
2024-12-13 18:00 - 21:00 | Main & Mill Brewing Company, 240 E Main St, Festus, MO, 63028
This is our last-minute pick for the holiday party! Due to its location, we hope to have a more central spot for everyone, bringing us together from STL, Fredericktown, and Cape Girardeau. Main & Mill Brewing Co. is a family-owned neighborhood brewery and restaurant offering a rotating selection of handcrafted beers and American pub fare, located on the old main street of Festus, Missouri.
Main & Mill Brewing Company 240 E Main St, Festus, MO 63028
– We have the East half reserved.
– There will be a limited party menu.
– 20% gratuity will be added to each tab.

Open Pool Kayak Practice Session 4
2024-12-14 13:00 - 14:30 | Webster University Pool, 175 Edgar Rd, Webster Groves, MO, 63119, United States
MWA & Team River Runner, St. Louis Chapter (TRR StL) have launched a collaboration with Webster University Center’s pool! Starting 12/21/24, Saturday 1-2:30 pm. This is open to the first 15 people registered each week. Register here
Veterans: Sessions are free and TRR can provide a boat & gear.
Civilians: Sessions are $10 each, you bring your clean gear, and we request that you join MWA prior to your 2nd pool session.
POCs = Alex Clerc, 314-620-6056; and Sally Haywood. <training@missouriwhitewater.org>

Open Pool Kayak Practice Session 5
2024-12-21 13:00 - 14:30 | Webster University Pool, 175 Edgar Rd, Webster Groves, MO, 63119, United States

Youth Whitewater Kayaking Class
2025-01-12 12:00 - 13:30 | Lindbergh High School Pool, 5000 Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63126, United States
Whitewater Kayaks are wild! Come discover this fun and exciting sport! Enjoy games to start building your skills and strength to help start kayaking. Learn basic paddle strokes, boat balance, boat entry/exit, and intro to river running skills/communication. Boats and paddles are included. No additional equipment needed. This course is taught by instructors with Missouri Whitewater Association. You must be comfortable swimming and treading in deep water, as the pool depth is 7 feet.
Course is 3 Sunday sessions, starting Jan 12, 26 and Feb 2nd.

Intro to Whitewater Kayaking (Ages 15+)
2025-01-12 13:30 - 15:00 | Lindbergh High School Pool, 5000 Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63126, United States

January General Meeting
2025-01-14 19:00 - 21:00 | MO
Join us for our first meeting of 2025 on Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84537540171

3rd Annual St. Francis River Clean Up
2025-02-01 10:00 - 14:00 | Millstream Gardens, Ironton, MO, 63650, United States
Come one come all! Join us please! We’ve done some amazing work. Let’s keep it going! In the past 2 years we have pulled almost 50 tires from the river, uncounted bags of trash, a culvert, half of a john boat, someone’s rubber companion and all kinds of fun stuff. This year who knows, but I’m sure it will be epic.

We will meet at Millstream garden at 10am on February 1st to get supplies and t-shirts. We will try to hit the river accesses again, along with the trail. The boat crew will hit the river again from Roselle. Stream Teams United, plus Brian and Bernie, are going to take care of the tire disposal again. This is a huge deal and we owe them a big thank you for volunteering. Like always, I’ll be glad to answer any questions you may have. SYOTR!
Jeff Clawges, claegesja@msn.com, 636-578-5719

Open Pool Sessions Webster University – Saturday afternoon through 3/1/25
2025-02-22 12:45 | Webster University Pool, 175 Edgar Rd, Webster Groves, MO, 63119, United States
Open Pool Kayak Practice Sessions – MWA & StL Team River Runner collaboration.

Saturdays 1-2:30 pm, at the Webster University Center, through 3/1/25.

All participants need to pre-register for each session and sign a 2025 waiver. Details provided to registrants.
Open to first people registered each week, until we hit the 15 boat capacity. Non-boater volunteers are welcome
Join us once or weekly.
Costs:

Free for Active ACA-Certified Instructors L2+, Veterans and Active Military
$10 for Active MWA members; guests are welcome but will be encouraged to join the MWA

Cancellation 48 hours in advance required.
Bring your own CLEAN gear OR TRR can provide a boat & gear for you (arrive at least 15 minutes early for boat fitting).
Saturday Point of Contact (POCs) = Alex Clerc 314-620-6056 <training@missouriwhitewater.org> and Sally Haywood.

Swiftwater Rescue L4 ACA skills course
2025-03-07 18:00 - 2025-03-09 17:00 | Silver Mines Campground, Highway D, Ironton, MO, 63650, United States
Wild Bill Miles will be leading a Swiftwater Rescue L4 ACA skills course on the St Francis River, Silver Mines. Class will start the evening of Friday March 7th, and go through Sunday the 9th. The course fee is $225. It will be hosted through Earth’s Classroom.
MWA members as of 1/1/25 can participate for $75.
To sign up or for questions reach out to Earth’s Classroom at EarthsClassroom.org or call 573-437-7628.

March General Meeting
2025-03-11 19:00 - 21:00 | MO
Join us for our meeting on Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84537540171

58th Annual Missouri Whitewater Championships
2025-03-21 15:00 - 2025-03-23 18:00 | Millstream Gardens, Ironton, MO, 63650, United States
Learn more about the race on our event page, register to race or download the schedule of the weekend.
Buy banquet tickets for Saturday Night.

Alpine Shop Spring Showcase
2025-03-29 - 2025-03-30 | Alpine Shop – Kirkwood, 440 N Kirkwood Rd, Kirkwood, MO, 63122, United States
Spring Showcase returns, featuring hours of FREE classes, demos, presentations and entertainment! Plus, take advantage of the chance to either sell or buy a new boat or bike at the Boat & Bike Used Gear Swap. Alpine Shop’s #SpringShowcase will have you ready to explore the warmer side of the great outdoors!

TSRA Rendevous
2025-04-03 - 2025-04-06 | TSRA – Camp Nakanawa, 1084 Camp Nakanawa Rd, Crossville, TN, 38571, United States
Registration for Rendezvous 2025 opened in January.
Learn more and register for the event at the Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association website.
Rendezvous: Registration is now open for TSRA’s annual paddling celebration and fundraiser featuring trips, auctions, and family-friendly fun. Rendezvous offers paddling trips from flatwater (Class I) to challenging whitewater (Class IV).

When: Thursday, April 3, 2025 – Sunday, April 6, 2025
Register Here

Questions? Email rendezvous@paddletsra.org.
All event details, schedules, and registration links can be found at: www.paddletsra.org.

Swiftwater Rescue course, L3
2025-05-17 08:00 - 2025-05-18 17:00 | Meramec State Park, 670 Fisher Cave Dr, Sullivan, 63080, United States
Swiftwater Rescue course offered by Earth’s Classroom, Bill and Jody Miles, instructors, who are highly recommended by people who’ve taken their course. A link to the course outline is below.

The class is on May 17-18 on the Meramec River in or near Meramec State Park and will be two full days.
The cost is $225/person and that includes a large folder of printouts of knots and scenarios for each of us to take with us.

It’s a level 3 class, so will cover level 2 and 3 skills (there is no level 1), and the class does provide certification in the skills. Participants will receive a cert card. Part of the course is done on shore and part in the water. This will cover a lot of information about knots, rescuing people, recovering trapped boats, etc. This is a L3 (River safety and rescue course) skills course. Great class for anybody wanting to improve their safety skills. You don’t have to be a whitewater boater or have any paddling skills at all to take this class. If you spend some time out on Ozark Rivers this would be very appropriate for you.

Andi Lowry <andrealowrystl@gmail.com> contracted for this course and needs more participants to meet the minimum.

She booked a group campsite at Meramec State Park from May 16-18. Generally, anyone who wants to camp is welcome and should plan to kick in about $15 to cover the camping cost, but I’m happy to cover the camping cost for TRR participants.

Please let Andi know if you have any questions. Thanks!

[https://americancanoe.org/…/2023/05/L3_RSR_skills.pdf…](https://americancanoe.org/…/2023/05/L3_RSR_skills.pdf…)bA

See MWA Training Reimbursement Policy – MWA reimburses for certain trainings in order to build up MWA as a club and its sponsored events. Therefore, all reimbursements come with a MWA volunteer commitment expectation. MWA reimbursement for training will be offered as long as the club has the funds available.

MWA Kayak Instructor Certification, ACA L2 course
2025-05-28 - 2025-05-30 | Cinco De Mayo Campground, 1042 Hwy H, Farmington, MO, 63640, United States
Fri am – Sunday pm through Ozark Safety and Rescue Educators (OSRA) and taught by Tom Burroughs— ACA L-2 Kayak Instructor certification registration: ACC ACA L-2 Essentials of River Kayak Instructor Course May 30-June 1st 2025 (cognitoforms.com)
This three-day (24-hour min) course prepares participants to teach and model the paddling skills, technical knowledge, rescue ability, teaching ability, group management, and interpersonal skills needed to teach river kayaking. L2 Instructor candidates say that their kayaking skills are greatly elevated by the ability to demonstrate and instruct.
Note: if you need and ACA L2 kayak instructor “Update,” contact the instructor; if approved, you would attend Sat & Sun and pay 2/3 the price.
Course Prerequisites – the skills described in the ACA Level 2 Kayaking Skills Assessment, which include:
1. Completion of (a) the appropriate level kayaking skills course or equivalent kayak skill AND (b) assessment by an ACA L2 instructor using the following list (instructor credentials matching the level the student candidate is pursuing). See https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8m9hBZCcRAM&list=PLRPQF2MRPvGj6pY6gYk7LX4sv7aeFo1xx&index=14&pp=iAQB :

Level 2: Essentials of River Kayaking Assessment

If your assessment instructor, who is currently ACA credentialed, indicates you “need more practice” on a skill, you can practice. Then you need to have an ACA instructor re-assess that skill and sign off as “Pass” on all skills PRIOR to class (5/24/25).
The teaching venue will be a calm section of Missouri’s St. Francis River.
2. Students of an ACA class must be current members of the ACA, https://americancanoe.org/join-the-aca/
See Course Curriculum – ACA (americancanoe.org), “River Kayaking” for the “L2: Essentials of River Kayaking” Assessments, Instructor Criteria, and sample skills course content that successful L2 instructors will be prepared to teach.
Full refunds will be issued by the instructor in the event of course cancellation.
Location: The course will be based out of Cinco de Mayo Campground – Riverside RV Park in Farmington and the St Francis River, Millstream Gardens. The campground can offer accommodations and a meal plan, which you arrange directly with them.
Reach out if you have any questions, to Tom Burroughs about the course (see above); for other logistics, to Sally Haywood <training@missouriwhitewater.org> 314-374-9206; to Jojo Newbold about the campground <FlyAKayak@outlook.com> 573-326-9008. Post-registration, please study the letter that the instructor will send you.
Cost: $450. Minimum registrants 5 (for the course to happen); Maximum 10.
See MWA Training Reimbursement Policy for MWA members. MWA reimburses members for certain trainings after completion of an MWA volunteer commitment. You need to fill out a web-based reimbursement request after you volunteer. If you need a scholarship to participate in this course, please contact an MWA Board member. MWA is developing a scholarship policy.
For military service members or veterans, Team River Runner (TRR) can usually reimburse you after the successful completion of this course. If interested, please contact your TRR Chapter Coordinator in advance of the course. StL TRR Chapter Coordinator is Devin Gates, at stltrr@teamriverrunner.org or 314-904-6443. The expectation is that you will use your new skills as a future volunteer with TRR.

Kayak instructor certification taught by Tom Burroughs, SwiftwaterRescue@gmail.com, 479-595-1655
ACA Safety and Rescue Committee Chair
ACA L-5 Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Trainer Educator
ACA L-4 Whitewater Kayak Instructor Trainer Educator
ACA L-4 Whitewater Rafting Instructor Trainer
2015 ACA “Excellence in Instruction” National Award Recipient
ITRA Level 3V Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
NREMT/EMT-W/MPIC – Wilderness Medicine Instructor
Team Leader- Washington CO AR Search and Rescue team
Director, Ozark Safety and Rescue Educators / Clear Creek Paddlesports
Member- Wilderness Medical Society
