All active UAPS members are welcome to attend.
Join the virtual meeting by clicking the link below:
meet.google.com/bma-ctxc-mjf
Join ex-Team Germany OC1 competitor Stephan Pätsch for an introductory kayak playboating course.
This course is designed for paddlers with solid boat control and a roll, looking to get out of their creek boats to learn some cool playboating moves.
Bring your own playboat (and if you don't have one, specify the size you need in the registration link)
Details: Spend an evening with Gordon Bunston, owner of River City Repair in a small volume online gasket repair clinic, followed by a Q&A discussing anything from gear maintenance to the Grand Canyon. The course will include the following and cost $100:
At this time the course is open to students only (no option to opt out of materials). Items will be sent to Brett in YCC, and Kate in YEG, you are responsible for picking them up from us pre-course. Questions? Reach out to Gord at gord@rivercityrepair.ca.
Other repair items (i.e. neck gaskets, etc) can be sent up at your cost - see rivercityrepair.ca/pages/our-store
This course is designed for paddlers with a roll, looking to learn to playboat! Bring your own playboat (and if you don't have one, indicate your size during registration).
Please note we will also be hosting an instructor's only course later in the year!
We look forward to having you all out for a fun, recreational game of polo in whitewater kayaks, open to anyone who has completed our Intro to Kayaking course (or has equivalent experience and a calm wet exit)
When you arrive, please help set-up the 2 nets starting at 7:30pm. We will break into 2 teams. Each team can have up to 5 players on the water at once, and sub players in at any time. Each player on the water must wear a helmet with a facemask (you are welcome to use your own helmet as long as it has a facemask).
Objective: The aim is to score in the net on the other side of the pool! The team with the most goals wins!
RULES (for our fun game!)
If you are curious, there is a good overview of basic polo rules here: https://warwickcanoe.uk/polo/rules For those super keen to pursue it beyond UAPS, you can checkout the ICF rulebook here, and EWP's competitive polo program here.
Happy Paddling!
Please ensure that our Waiver of Claims and Liability is signed by each attending adult and child.
You must sign up for open sessions ahead of time in order to attend
*Any questions or concerns please email info@paddleuaps.com
Open sessions are available to UAPS members only
UAPS Whitewater Safety Talk
Wed April 14, 2026 7:00pm - 9:00pm (MDT) at MEC Edmonton (Downtown location), 11904 104 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5K 0G6
This event is free and open to all UAPS members. It is mandatory for all BDP participants.
We will review basic whitewater safety, as well as essential whitewater gear. MEC has also graciously offered us a club discount for anything in store, in-person only. More details to come.
Please see up to date event info at www.paddleuaps.com/film-festival
PADDLING FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
POLARIS MORTGAGE PLANNERS & PADDLE UAPS
The United Albertan Paddling Society, with the support of Polaris Mortgage Planners, is excited to host the Paddling Film Festival World Tour in Edmonton on April 18, 2026! Since 2006, the Paddling Film Festival has been a highlight in over 130 cities around the globe, showcasing the finest paddling films. It motivates audiences to cherish their local waterways, venture into rivers, lakes, and oceans, and fully embrace the paddling lifestyle. The 2025 film line-up included whitewater paddling, canoeing, outrigger-canoeing, fishing, rafting, SUP, adaptive paddling, hiking, adventure, travelling, repelling, split boarding and more. The 2026 lineup will be announced in the new year! There are lots of door prizes to be won & silent auction items to be bid on!
We invite you to join us for the World Tour screening at the NAIT Shaw Theatre on Saturday, April 18. Doors will open in the lobby at 5 pm, with the film screening scheduled for 6:30 pm. Before the show, take part in our paddling fair in the lobby, where you can explore local retailers, discover how to safely start your paddling journey, learn essential skills for river outings, connect with local paddling clubs, and find out more about our provincial paddling associations. There will be local craft beer, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase.
We are thrilled to introduce our Platinum Sponsor for this year’ festival: Polaris Mortgage Planners! At Polaris Mortgage Planners, they believe home-ownership is about more than finding a mortgage—it’s about building your future. From your very first pre-approval through to paying off the last payment, they’re committed to guiding you at every step, offering clear communication and expert support every time. Locally based in Spruce Grove and Edmonton, their team is dedicated to helping their clients achieve financial freedom through smart mortgage planning. They’re proud to support the UAPS Film Festival and be part of this community-driven celebration of creativity and connection on the water.
We would also like to thank our Gold Sponsors, Benke Real Estate, Excalibur Executive Planning, and River City Repair for their generous support in making this event possible. Adam at Benke Real Estate is a dedicated realtor who puts you first and comes highly recommended by numerous satisfied UAPS members. Excalibur Executive Planning is proudly supporting the UAPS Film Festival as a Gold Sponsor, guiding business owners from workplace wellness to lifelong wealth — through employee group benefits, insurance, and retirement planning. River City Repair specializes in repairing paddling equipment, rafts, SUPs, plastic welding and more). They will help keep your dry suit and boat dry year after year.
Your support in attending this event will contribute to the vibrant paddling community in our region. Proceeds from this event will support both our children’s and adult paddling programs by funding essential equipment purchases and training to certify our volunteer instructors, ensuring they are fully insured to teach paddling at local pools, ponds, lakes, and rivers.
Platinum Level Sponsor
Gold Level Sponsors
Bronze Level Sponsors
Cloud 9 Pajamas (family & female owned and operated business that creates and curates a comfortable lifestyle)
Devon Home Hardware (homeowners helping homeowners, for all your local needs)
Evoolution (Canada's freshest olive oils, decadent balsamic vinegars, & gourmet sea salts)
Northwest Voyageurs Canoe and Kayak Club (Edmonton-based paddling community where adventure, skill-building, and friendship come together on the water)
Vertically Inclined Rock Gym (a fun, ergonomic space that makes rock climbing comfortable and accessible for everyone)
Please meet at the White Rowhouse shown below, in the parking lot located the furthest east at 3pm (8438 129St), and we will walk to the seacan together. Bring straps or rope to secure you boat to take home. If you arrive late, call Mo (number given in BDP/NPP email).
This gear pickup is for BDP & NPP Participants only. Please register so we are aware you are picking up gear on this date.
If you have been to the UAPS seacan previously, feel free to make your way there. Map below.
Please meet at the White Rowhouse shown below, in the parking lot located the furthest east at 6pm (8438 129St), and we will walk to the seacan together. Bring straps or rope to secure you boat to take home. If you arrive late, call Mo (number given in BDP/NPP email).
https://www.albertawhitewater.ca/awa-leadership-symposium-0
Combination Pool and Lake Kayak Instructor. Course fee includes the $120 CKC/AWA reinvestment fee. If you have already paid this fee for 2026, please email info@paddleuaps.com to reduce your course fee.
Prerequisites:
Date/location:
Environment: Teaching beginners in the pool and on outdoor flatwater, such as lakes canals, ponds or non-moving water sites (flow less than 10 metres/minute)
Course Outline: This course combines the basics of the pool course and the technical review of the Lake course. It includes:
Check out these video clips for a reference of the paddling skills required for certification as a Lake Kayak Instructor:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cr2MvSMJ7zA&list=PLmdJ_UnnshFfdYxRay5kpPJEZjMIhufSs
Raven | Rescue Safety Medical | Swiftwater Rescue Course
The focus of this 2-day Whitewater Rescue Technician course is on the necessary knowledge and skills for recreational paddlers.
It is tailored to the specific needs of those playing on and around moving water. This very hands-on and practical course is great for those who want to feel more confident while around swiftwater – more confidence = more fun!
Whitewater professionals (eg raft guides, safety kayakers) should take the Whitewater Rescue Technician – Professional (WRT-Pro) course.
Register and more info at: www.ravenrsm.com/course/whitewater-rescue-technician-recreational/
https://www.pinchocrowcreekers.com/copy-of-home-3
Please note this weekend is tentative to change based on campground availability and water levels. The date will be finalized by February.
AQ Outdoors has offered us a private intro to creeking course June 12 -14. Cost is a club discounted $329.95 + GST.
GOALS
The aim of this program is to introduce participants to the 'big picture' of creek boating. It is a super intensive course with very long days on the water full of drills, coaching and running rapids. Paddlers will be put through many drills on boat control, using water features for efficient paddling, boofing, river reading, communications, safety and much more. The Friday and Saturday are in your face skills sessions and Sunday ties it all together with a run on a local creek, where all participants are expected to be part of the group decision making, safety etc.
OUTCOMES
After completing this course participants coming to the program with the correct skillset can expect to have a good understanding of the mechanics of boofing, how creek boats paddle, the importance of edging, speed and boat control in a good creek boat progression. They will also have a good understanding of the equipment, mindset and communication required to do this sport safely.
NOTE: To get the most out of this program participants should have paddled a lot of days on Class III and felt like they had good boat control and a bomb proof roll. Some experience on Class III+/IV- is certainly a benefit.
Pre-Requisites:
Duration
Location
To book, please email info@paddleuaps.com for the secret code!
Target Audience: Club, school, commercial instructors or guides/leaders who wish to lead advanced whitewater trips; safety boaters, other professional paddlers, etc.
Course Duration: Two days
Environment: Class III whitewater
Course Outline: This course follows the same format as the Kayak Leader 2 course, but for trip planning and leading on Class III water. It includes:
Join Dr. Lee Green for a weekend of whitewater wilderness first aid. River levels depending, participants should bring warm weather paddling gear, helmet, boat, skirt, paddle, PFD, float bags, and outdoor paddling experience. Participants should also have warm clothes to wear outside during the day.
Do not purchase a first aid kit for this course (Dr. Green will show you what you should get during the course).
Freestyle clinic and competition at the Brierlies!
AQ Outdoors has offered us a private class II skills progression weekend.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The UAPS Class II Skills Progression is a 2-day course to help paddlers progress with confidence in class II/II+ moving water.
The aim of this program is to continue in the development of paddling skills for participants. At this stage, we are looking to have paddlers be more self-directed in performing skills in Class II whitewater and introducing basic maneuvers in straightforward Class II+ rapids. There is a strong leadership and safety component with the goal of having participants comfortable picking lines and performing rescues in Class II whitewater
After completing this course, participants coming to the program with the correct skill set can expect to be able to paddle Class II rivers as a confident and competent team member. Able to scout, choose lines, perform basic safety and rescues. After this course paddlers can also expect to know what Class II+ whitewater is like and to have a good idea of the next steps to continue to improve their personal paddling
5 - 10 days paddling Class I/II whitewater.
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
For more information, please visit: https://www.albertawhitewater.ca/d8-calendar
Details at https://kanfest.ca/
Date subject to change, added to calendar based on 2024 date.
See https://www.albertawhitewater.ca/d8-calendar for updated dates/registration once entered.
Target Audience: Club members who wish to lead river trips Course Duration: Two Days Prerequisites:
Environment: Class II whitewater Course Outline: This course is risk management-focused and covers the details of trip-planning and leading a group down the river on Class I and II water. It includes:
Details at: https://slaveriverpaddlefest.ca/
Jim MacDonald is hosting a swift water rescue course on the Red Deer and Panther rivers. We will be camping friday evening, with the course starting early Saturday morning.
CKC Swiftwater Rescue and Safety
Target Audience: This Whitewater Canada course is recommended for all paddlers
Prerequisites: Must be a UAPS or AWA Member
Environment: Class I-III whitewater
Course Outline:
Facebook Group
Locations for Camping, put-in, take-out: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=18PMUgwrKlYjvmEXedzFEPcFAAjsdBH4H&usp=sharing
The Clearwater River Weekend is an advanced kayak program for those looking to improve their big water paddling abilities.
The aim of this program is to introduce paddlers to the nuances and differences of big water paddling vs smaller rivers. In this course, the instructors will put participants through their paces on bigger pushier features with a strong focus on technical skill development and safety in this style of whitewater. We talk a lot about power vs finesse, scouting on the fly, line selection, rescues, and much more in this exciting and dynamic program.
After completing this course participants can expect to have had a safe and well-directed introduction to running larger volume whitewater, also to have practiced and understood a wide range of skills used in running big water.
Course Price
$389.95 + GST
Registration link will be send to 2026 BDP/NPP leaders
Details at: https://www.rockycanoeclub.org/ and on RCC Facebook page
Family paddling and activities at the Historic Site
Special thanks to InMotion for their ongoing financial support and encouragement, which has helped increase women’s leadership in our club since 2023.
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