What/Where/When
This is MWA’s “moving water” training and practice sessions, which will run every Wednesday (weather and river-level permitting) through July 29. If I am unavailable, another ACA instructor will lead. (Keep an eye on this FB page for weekly updates.) Other ACA instructors and experienced volunteers will be there to help (more welcome!). Come once or every week. No need to pre-register. RSVP is appreciated. Signed electronic waiver required in advance of class. For current ACA members, there is no charge for this event. For non-ACA members, there is a $10 fee.

PLEASE NOTE the location CHANGE for 2026 TO Arnold’s Grove Trailhead (Meramec River @ Hwy 141). This move is in cooperation with Valley Park. Thank you Valley Park!

Meet at Arnold Grove Trailhead.

At 6:00 we will hit the water and paddle until 7:30.

We start off at a spot in the river with no current, warming up with some sweep and forward stroke progressions, a little bow draw work, and then blending strokes. Then with current, we practice peel outs, ferries, and eddy turns. If you are new to whitewater kayaking, these moving water sessions are designed as your next step after learning basics in a pool or lake. If you are not new to kayaking, these sessions can help you strengthen and refine your skills.

Each session, you must check in with the primary instructor (typically me) before getting on the water.

We will take as many participants as we have instructors and safety to support.

If you are “new to me,” be prepared to wet exit or attest to your wet exit skills.

Fees
If you are an ACA Member (join here https://americancanoe.org/), the program is free. If you are not an ACA member at the time of the event, the cost is $10.

While a membership in the MWA is not required, we encourage you to join as your membership helps sustain our programs.

What to Bring
You must come with all of your own whitewater paddling gear including a whitewater boat, helmet, pfd, spray skirt, and air bags.

If you are with Team River Runner and want TRR to bring gear for you, you must contact TRR by Tuesday night prior, stltrr@teamriverrunner.org.

Waiver
Before you can participate, you must have signed the ACA Event Waiver with Missouri Whitewater Association selected when you are prompted to select a “Club.”

We will not have paper waivers at the river.

Sign the Event waiver once and you are good for all of our Wednesday sessions. In fact, if you already signed the Waiver as an ACA Member for a 2026 MWA event, you are all set! PM me to verify.