Overview
North East Wisconsin Paddlers,
Inc., formerly known as Green Bay Paddlers United, has been
teaching kayak skills classes in Northeast Wisconsin since at least
the early 1990's. Over the years, the classes have been hosted in
partnership with YMCAs in Green Bay, Neenah, Sheboygan and
Appleton. Two Rivers classes are offered with the City of Two
Rivers Recreation Department by NEWP instructors in the high school
pool. NEWP classes are offered from January through April each year
except for a new class that has been held in Sheboygan the past two
Novembers.
In addition to our annual indoor
classes, NEWP began offering a Kayak Essentials class in
partnership with the City of Appleton Parks and Recreation
Department in 2011. The class meets on four weeknights in June at
Erb Pool on Appleton's north side.
Class Outline
Information on NEWP classes is
published annually by our partner organizations, who provide
classroom and pool facilities for our classes. We offer two types
of classes:
- Kayak Essentials - This is a four session
class for people who have not had prior kayak skills instruction.
Each session meets for three hours, split between classroom and
pool. The focus of the class is on skill development and
safety.
- Rolls and Rescues - This class follows
the same format as the Kayak Essentials class, using NEWP
whitewater and sea kayaks with associated gear. Participants in
this class must first complete the Kayak Essentials class or have
equivalent training approved by the instructor. The focus of this
class is to teach participants a variety of boat re-entry or rescue
techniques and Eskimo roll skills.
NEWP whitewater kayaks, sea kayaks
and associated gear is provided for all class participants. A
general outline of each class is accessible below - specific class
agendas will vary based on instructor discretion in response to
specific class needs or preferences. Click on the class locations
along the right-hand column of this page for more specific
information on each site!
Class Fees
Fees charged by the host
organizations we work with are shared between NEWP and the host.
Approximately half of the fee revenue covers the cost of the
facility use and lifeguards and the other half is used by NEWP to
purchase and maintain boats and other equipment, or to cover the
cost of the website and other activities. All instructors and
assistant instructors provide their time and talent on a voluntary
basis. The club currently maintains a fleet of nearly 70 whitewater
and sea kayaks, plus all the assorted support eqiupment required to
go with the boats. NEWP membes also include about a dozen ACA
certified coastal kayak, whitewater kayak and whietewater canoe
instructors and numerous assistant instructors.
Class Details
Class schedules and logistics vary
a bit with each class location and the classes are taught by
different groups of NEWP instructors, too. The classes follow a
similar outline but are modified on a class-by-class basis to best
reflect the interests of the students.
Click on the city names at the
right for more specfiic information on classes hosted in each
of them, information on where to register, instructors, etc.
Downloadable copies of the class outlines and a resource sheet are
available here:
Class Information by Location
Fall 2011 through Summer 2012 Classes
Our 2011 - 2012 class schedule is
available for most of our host city/ facility locations below.
Click on the locations listed below for more detailed
information.
"Open Pool" - Dates and Policy
NEWP arranges open pool dates for
club members and students to maintain their skills through winter
and early spring in Appleton and Two Rivers. Special open pool
sessions may also be scheduled in Green Bay. The open pool dates
and times will be listed on each class-location page. Current year
students of NEWP classes in any of our locations are entitled to
free open pool participation. Other participants must be current
NEWP/ ACA club members and pay a $5 fee for each session to help
defray the costs of pool access and club operations.
All participants are welcome to use
NEWP boats and gear or may bring their own boats and gear into the
pool if it is clean and free of debris. All members are reminded
that the pools can become crowded, so courteous and safe conduct is
required. We expect members to follow these general guidelines
during open pool sessions:
-
Paddlers who are socializing or
resting should either leave the pool or move to the side to allow
other paddlers room to practice.
-
Be aware that the host facility
life guard has ultimate control of the pool area; lifeguard
instructions must be followed immediately at all times.
-
Personal boats and gear brought
into the pool must be clean prior to entry, which includes removal
of float bags for the pool session.
-
Boats must be in the water when
entered, not "seal-launched" off the pool deck.