All active UAPS members are welcome to attend.
Join the virtual meeting by clicking the link below:
meet.google.com/bma-ctxc-mjf
** This is a common adventure, not formally led programming. Attend at your own risk.**
Join Kate & Braydon for an evening session of polo skills on the river! We will cover paddling upstream while dribbling, work on our passes, and play some fun games along the way! Bring your own gear and boat, polo helmets will be provided. If you dont have gear email info@paddleuaps.com to inquire. Must have moving water experience and be comfortable t-rescuing. The river will be high.
Meet at the Buena Vista Seacan at 6:30 pm. Google Maps pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sdLn5opEW5B35tZt5
Required gear: Boat, float bags, paddle, skirt, helmet, PFD with whistle, proper paddling attire
Paddling Mom's Weekend at Rocky Mountain House
A time at and on the river where we:
No pressure. No expectations. No judgment.
Just a supportive space to reconnect with the river, with ourselves, and with each other.
Hard Moves on Easy Water - building the foundation that brings the joy back.
Options: Full weekend, Saturday only, or partial participation --> whatever works for you!!
We'll begin Friday evening at camp by gathering together in our own little corner of the campground (separate from the Brierley's WhoopUp group, but close enough to enjoy the atmosphere). We'll discuss what the weekend will look like and dive into some fun and practical confidence-building activities. A bit of rope stuff and some hydrology concepts that you may OR ... may not ... already be aware of. These concepts will help us better understand what we see, feel, and do on the water the following day.
Most importantly, we'll create space to explore the things that prevent us from getting out on the water.
As moms, partners, professionals, caregivers, and organizers of everyone else's lives, it can be surprisingly difficult to prioritize our own paddling. Sometimes it's confidence. Sometimes it's logistics. Sometimes it's fitness, fear, injuries, changing priorities, or simply feeling disconnected from the paddler we once were.
This weekend is about exploring those things honestly, supporting one another, and finding ways forward.
Camping:
For more info, contact Lori at coordinator@albertawhitewater.ca
Join Dr. Lee Green for a weekend of whitewater wilderness first aid. This course covers leadership and organization, scene evaluation, injury identification, treatment, egress, first aid kits, and more. 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!
We'll practice rolling (or T-rescues!) in moving water.
Meet at the Buena Vista seacan at 7:00 pm. Bring your own paddling gear and boat.
Google Maps pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sdLn5opEW5B35tZt5
We will be having a separate event open to all club members later in the year. This one is for UAPS river leader and sweep volunteers, and 2025 NPP grads with SWR.
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 members are not permitted to access the Eastglen facility before 7:15 pm unless they have paid to attend the women and girls-only swim prior to our rental. Please note that if facility staff require additional time to clear the space and change rooms, members may need to wait for approval before entering. Please respect all posted signage and follow the directions of facility staff at all times.
Register at: www.albertawhitewater.ca/form/grande-cache-river-rendezvous-26
The Grande Cache River Rendezvous is back for 2026! June 26 (evening only) - June 29. The Rendezvous is generously sponsored by the Grande Cache Hotel and hosted by UAPS.
This festival is best suited for intermediate and advanced paddlers (minimum Class 3 paddler with a reliable roll), as many of the rivers in the area have difficult or non-existent egress, must make ferries to avoid wood, and rivers difficulty increases drastically with higher water levels. Beginner paddlers are welcome to join for the weekend if they are keen to get out hiking, for a flat water paddle on Grande Cache Lake, or book a rafting trip down the Sulphur or Sheep with Wild Blue Yonder Rafting (ages 8+). In addition, if your club would like to bring leaders to support your beginners on some of the class 2 or 3 runs, we highly encourage you to do so, but won't have support for the festival for these runs. -Family - $45 -Individual - $30 -Staying in a room at the Grande Cache Hotel - $10 event fee You must be an AWA member through a club (UAPS, Wapiti, etc), or directly. Please note registration includes free camping at the Grande Cache hotel, and free entry to the Grande Cache Pool at the Rec Center on Sunday evening from 6-8 pm to swim, soak in the hot tub, dive off the high board, race Olga down the slide, and have a warm shower. If you prefer to stay in a nice cozy hotel room, you can book one directly at the Grande Cache Hotel (780) 827-3377 and ask for the sport rate. There will be a fire pit all night, and washrooms and potable water available inside the hotel. There is a family restaurant for breakfast/lunch in the hotel, and High Country Steak & Ale for dinner - meals are not included with registration.
Rivers map for the weekend: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1Qtbkke63I_FugcX_JOgg3qpZT5fI9OM&usp=sharing
Emergency Action Plans for the Weekend (please download for offline use) https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KJ4lU20SXGNjsyAeWiThvsqXUIUh7Fdu?usp=drive_link
River Levels & Runs
Run options for the weekend in increasing difficulty include the Upper Muskeg, Lower Muskeg, Sulphur, Middle Muskeg, and Sheep Creek. For those not ready for the river, there is nice flatwater paddling at Grande Cache Lake and Pierre Grey Lakes. People will likely be running the Upper or Middle Muskeg river and Sulphur river on Saturday, Sheep or Muskeg on Sunday, and Sulphur on Monday.
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.
GOALS
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
OUTCOMES
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
Pre-Requisites:
5 - 10 days paddling Class I/II whitewater.
Duration
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location
To book, please email info@paddleuaps.com for the secret code!
We'll meet at the Buena Vista parking lot, and set up a shuttle either to Dawson Park or 50 St. We will paddle downstream and stop on shore just before the Highlevel Bridge, where we will enjoy an amazing view of the Canada Day fireworks. Afterwards, we'll wait patiently for EPS to give us the ok to head downstream to our takeout. On the way we'll enjoy seeing the Edmonton city lights from the river in the dark. Please bring your PFD, helmet, whistle, bouyant heaving line, bailing device, and waterproof headlamp or flashlight, plus the rest of your paddling gear.
Google Pin for meeting location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7wXx66Cq6HTKHUcP6
For more information, please visit: https://www.albertawhitewater.ca/d8-calendar
Registration at https://kanfest.ca/
KanFest is Alberta’s premier whitewater festival, bringing paddlers of all skill levels together for a weekend of competition, education, and community-building. More than just a festival, KanFest is a not-for-profit event where all proceeds go directly to maintaining and improving the whitewater features on the Kananaskis River.
Dates: July 10 - 12, 2026 Location: Kananaskis River, Alberta
The Kananaskis River is a vital hub for Alberta’s paddling community. Thanks to recent rebuild efforts, the river has enhanced features for kayakers, SUP paddlers, packrafters, rafters and surfers. KanFest helps fund the ongoing maintenance and improvements, ensuring the river remains a world-class paddling destination.
Early Bird Registration is now open! Sign up today to take advantage of discounted pricing for a limited time.
Register Here: www.kanfest.ca
If you have any questions, want to volunteer, reserve a club camping spot, or suggest ways to improve KanFest, feel free to reach out!
Email: info@kanfest.ca Website: www.kanfest.ca
Follow KanFest on Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/kanfestab/
https://www.facebook.com/kanfest
A mini course for paddling instructors. Learn how to create a written accessibility plan ahead of time to reduce anxiety for you and your participants, as well as what to do when planning ahead isn't possible. Focus on anticipating, planning for, and reducing access and safety barriers for people with physical disabilities. Bring your own paddling gear and boat.
Bring your throw bag and webbing/ pin kit if you've got one
Google Pin for meeting location (meet Heather in parking lot) https://maps.app.goo.gl/7wXx66Cq6HTKHUcP6
Potluck on Saturday night is open to all, not just UAPS members.
Please note this weekend is tentative to change based on campground availability and water levels.
This weekend includes Beginner Development Program and common adventures. All volunteers for BDP/NPP must be signed up ahead of time - no last minute tag alongs, please. Contact bdp@paddleuaps.com if you would like to volunteer.
Camping is $26/unit/night
Camping is here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/h2QUgLusKr5HVEdq6
Cartier Creek Group Camping Area
If you google it, it will take you to the wrong campground. Use the google maps link above. We are camping North of the road in the GROUP camping area.
This includes Beginner Development Program, Novice Progression Program, and common adventures. All participants in BDP / NPP / UAPS common adventures must be paid members. All volunteers for BDP/NPP must be signed up ahead of time - no last minute tag alongs, please. Contact bdp@paddleuaps.com if you would like to volunteer.
Please do not bring any nuts or shellfish to club weekends, as we have a member who is severely allergic.
Join Kate & Braydon for an evening session of polo skills on the river! We will cover paddling upstream while dribbling, work on our passes, and play some fun games along the way! Bring your own gear and boat, polo helmets will be provided. If you dont have gear email info@paddleuaps.com to inquire. Must have moving water experience and be comfortable t-rescuing.The river will be high.
Introduction to Kayaking for Women Only
Participants | Participantes
First priority is given to women who are Black, Indigenous, racialized, newcomers to Canada, low income, and those who need a women-only learning environment.
La priorité est accordée aux femmes noires, autochtones, racisées, les nouvelles arrivées au Canada, et/ou qui cherche un environnement d'apprentissage exclusivement féminin.
Location | Lieu
Rundle Park Ponds: Thursdays July 23, 30, August 6, 13, 20, 7-8:30 pm Eastglen Pool: Saturday Aug 8, 3:30-5 pm
L'étang de Parc Rundle: les jeudis, juillet 23 et 30 juillet, et août 6, 13, et 20, de 19:00 à 20:30
Piscine de Eastglen: samedi 8 août, de 15:30 à 17:00
Description | Description du cours
We will learn about kayak safety, equipment, paddling skills, and weather conditions. We will explore the pond and play kayak games. No experience necessary. Everyone will wear a personal flotation device, so students do not need to be able to swim.
Nous aborderons la sécurité en kayak, l'équipement, les techniques de pagaie et les conditions météorologiques. Nous explorerons l'étang et participerons à des jeux nautiques. Cet événement est ouvert à tous les niveaux. Des kayaks, des pagaies et des gilets de sauvetage seront fournis.
Registration | Inscription
For more information, please email info@paddleuaps.com
Pour plus d’informations, veuillez envoyer un courriel à info@paddleuaps.com
This course has been funded by a Government of Canada We Paddle Grant to the United Albertan Paddling Society.
Ce cours a été financé par une subvention Nous Pagayons du gouvernement du Canada accordée à la United Albertan Paddling Society.
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/
Registration and details: https://www.facebook.com/events/893785003631384
https://www.facebook.com/ClearwaterKayakFestival/
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:
This weekend includes Beginner Development Program, Novice Progression Program, and common adventures. All volunteers for BDP/NPP must be signed up ahead of time - no last minute tag alongs, please. Contact bdp@paddleuaps.com if you would like to volunteer.
Camping is $29/unit/night. If you are driving, you must have a Kananaskis Conservation Pass.
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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