BDP: What you should know before registering
What is BDP?
BDP (Beginner Development Program) is a program UAPS runs to introduce beginners to whitewater kayaking. We hold this over four weekends, one weekend a month, from May to August. You will get to explore our province’s waterways, get involved in the paddling community, and build on skills needed in whitewater paddling. This program is designed to increase the challenge each weekend, and slowly introduce you to more difficult whitewater features.
This page should help you get acquainted with BDP and whitewater paddling and includes some helpful information. Try not to let it overwhelm you - there is a lot of information here, but it should help you decide if this program is right for you, answer some common questions, and provide tips as well as some handy resources.
If you have questions, big or small, reach out to the BDP Coordinators (Shelagh Campbell and Mo McNeely) at any time either by email (bdp@paddleuaps.com) or on social media: Public Facebook page and private Facebook group page - We also have a group chat that you should keep an eye on leading up to BDP weekends. Reach out to us to be added to this.
We look forward to paddling with you!
Aims for BDP
- Fun through challenging ourselves!
- You will be led down the rivers by certified instructors (known as the “lead” of the group) and supported by skilled paddlers (known as the “sweep”). Your leads/sweeps will also have first aid training, swift water rescue training, and emergency action plans for the river sections we paddle. They are seasoned paddlers you can trust.
- Learning paddling skills: forward stroke, sweep stroke, eddy turns, ferries, all on class 1-2 features (ledges, waves, holes, variable currents, eddies) with the option to run a few class III features at your own risk.
- Drills to reinforce these skills are the focus of BDP - we aren’t just floating down a river. We spend time at features that are great for practicing skills.
- Learning safety skills: safety on and off the water, hand signals, swimming, how to be rescued, and the do’s and don’ts on the water.
- Learning to read the river: how water moves, current, finding eddies, deep water vs shallow water, etc.
- Eight days of paddling does not make for an expert - you’ll still be a beginner at the end of BDP, with lots more to learn! Repeating BDP is encouraged.
Skills required for BDP eligibility
- Intro to kayaking course - with UAPS, or other clubs, however, if you attended with other clubs, you will need to come to an open session so we can assess your skills and ensure you are adequately prepared for BDP.
- Able to wet exit in a pool/flatwater calmly. Please let us know if you are concerned about this, we are happy to help you practice leading up to BDP.
- Willingness to spend time outside your comfort zone, in the “adventure zone”.
Important BDP (2025) dates
April 2: Applications close
April 16: Whitewater Safety Session 7-9 pm, Lendrum Community League, 11335 57 Ave NW, Edmonton
Late April/ Early May (TBD): Intro to moving water session: Paddling in Edmonton on the North Saskatchewan, to test gear and familiarize yourself with moving water. You must attend a session before the first BDP weekend. We will have more than one session, dates TBD.
May 24-25: BDP Weekend #1(Camping: Canoe Meadows, Kananaskis)
June 7-8: BDP Weekend #2(Camping: Cowley Lions Castle River Campground, near Pincher Creek)
July 12-13: BDP Weekend #3(Camping: near Sundre)
August 16-17: BDP Weekend #4(Camping: Canoe Meadows, Kananaskis)
** Please note locations are subject to change due to water levels or fires outside of our control.
If you are unable to attend the first weekend we accept the 2-day novice kayak clinic at the 3 Rivers Rendezvous event near Pincher Creek on the May Long Week as a substitute. We can also help to arrange/suggest other substitutes; please contact us at bdp@paddleuaps.com
Challenges to be prepared for
- Camping.
- Inclement weather while camping and paddling.
- Cold glacial water, and swimming in it unexpectedly.
- Plan changes - we’re working with nature and humans!
- Using nature’s portapotty, especially while paddling.
- Hard days - we do our best to make good plans, but sometimes things happen and there isn’t anything we can do but keep paddling.
- The challenge of doing hard things on purpose, and navigating fear/anxiety.
- The physical toll of paddling all weekend: tired, sore muscles, risk of injury.
- Socializing all weekend.
So… why are we doing this??
- Whitewater kayaking is an awesome sport and every weekend is an adventure!
- Our club is welcoming and supportive, and the paddling community is great.
- Being active feels good, and is good for you.
- The art of practicing and doing hard things on purpose is confidence building.
- Navigating fear and challenge is something that follows you off the river.
- Traveling for kayaking is a great way to experience Alberta, and you will see areas in nature that would be otherwise inaccessible to you.
What other skills will you need to be comfortable with for BDP? Camping
- Tents, camping inside vehicles, or small trailers are allowed at every site. Occasionally, we are close to hotels, but not always. Camping is an additional cost, to be paid before the weekends of BDP. We will notify you when camping fees can be paid.
- There is no power, no showers, and rarely a cell signal where we camp.
- Portapotties or pit toilets are not guaranteed at every campsite - we do our best to ensure this, but if our location changes due to water levels, you might be poopin’ in the woods (bring a shovel)! You may also need to bring your toilet paper to some locations.
- Planning, storing, and preparing your food: You are responsible for your meals for the weekend. We are occasionally close to easy food sources (townsites, gas stations), but not always.
- You will need to bring ample potable water for the weekend, or be able to treat river water.
- We have a potluck on Saturday nights if you would like to partake.
- We’re camping in the mountains or foothills, and it is colder than you would expect at night. Make sure your sleeping pad is insulated (an R-value of 3+ is a good minimum), that your sleeping bag is the right size for you, and rated appropriately. Getting close to or below 0°C is possible. You may also want to bring earplugs, a sleep mask, and an extra blanket. Bringing your pillow from home for maximum comfort is also a good idea. A good sleep is essential to a good day of paddling!
- We’re camping in bear country. Make sure nothing with scent is in your tent. All food, beverages, waste, and recycling must be cleaned up and stored in a vehicle overnight and whenever you leave your campsite. Be Bear Aware!
- See the packing list for a good idea of what you need to bring each weekend.
Be organized and on time - Arrive at the campsite with a full tank of gas, familiar with your gear, and your needs (food, shelter, water, clothing).
- Be well prepared for the morning meet-up before a day of paddling (clean or packed up campsite, dressed for paddling, gear organized, breakfast finished and cleaned up, lunch/snacks packed to eat on the river). We meet at 9 am to talk about the river, break into our groups for the day, and sort out transportation within the groups. You should be ready to get into a vehicle and leave after the talk!
Traveling - The closest reliable whitewater is hours of driving away from Edmonton. We often carpool to keep costs down and to be kind to the planet.
- You will also need to learn how to tie down and transport boats/gear safely and lawfully. We will help you with this! To transport kayaks, you will need:
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- A roof rack, or to carpool with someone who has one.
- Tie-downs (preferably the pull-through type, NRS makes the best straps!) or rope if you are a knot typing pro.
- There are many ways to tie down a kayak, see the resource section at the bottom of this page for some helpful videos.
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- You are responsible for caring for and storing your rented kayak for the season at your home, and returning your (clean) kayak and gear at the end of the season.
Carpooling - Many of us carpool! If you would like to carpool, but don’t know anyone yet, please reach out to the BDP coordinators at bdp@paddleuaps.com ahead of time so we can help you arrange it. Keep in mind it is nice to contribute gas money towards any kind of parking fees (ex, at Canoe Meadows).
- If you are using your vehicle as a shuttle (getting everyone to the whitewater and back to camp), expect us to load your vehicle with as much gear and people as legally allowed. This reduces the number of vehicles left at put-ins and take-outs.
Physical fitness
- This is a physically demanding sport. We are happy to help where needed, but you should be able to:
- Lift and carry heavy objects (dry kayaks weigh 30-40+ lbs).
- Swim short distances.
- Be outside for several hours at a time.
- Move up and down inclines and paths with obstacles
- We can accommodate some disabilities into our program. If you have limited mobility or are a wheelchair user, please contact us at bdp@paddleuaps.com to set up a meeting.
- We strongly recommend cross-training to improve your overall fitness and help prevent injury by strengthening:
- Core strength
- Cardio
- Flexibility
- Range of motion
If you have concerns, please reach out to us to discuss them at bdp@paddleuaps.com!
Dedicating time for BDP
- You must attend one of the Intro to Moving Water evening sessions in Edmonton in April/May (TBD) before the first BDP weekend. We will offer more than one session to accommodate schedules.
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- If you’re just keen to get on the water, we highly suggest the novice clinic at Pincher Creek!
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- If you miss a weekend, and cannot show us some kind of suitable replacement for the skills you would have learned that weekend, you may not be able to attend subsequent weekends.
- Each weekend is a FULL weekend. You can expect to arrive Friday night (or travel at an ungodly hour on Saturday morning), be busy for the whole weekend, and arrive home Sunday night.
- Dedicating time to kayaking outside of the BDP weekends will maximize your time to practice skills. We ask this because while four weekend-long trips are a great introduction to whitewater kayaking, it is simply not enough time to meet some goals. For example, rolling isn’t something we focus on during BDP, but working on your roll will be helpful for BDP.
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- Whitewater paddling also just takes practice! Here are some ideas to keep in mind this season:
- Attend weekly open sessions, which are free with your UAPS membership, at Grand Trunk or Eastglen leisure centers (see calendar).
- Take classes with UAPS (stroke improvement, roll clinic).
- Take AQ beginner courses.
- Go flatwater paddling in our local lakes (eg Islet).
- Take beginner courses at paddle festivals (see our calendar for festival information), starting with 3 Rivers Rendezvous (near Pincher Cr.) in May.
- Join in on beginner-friendly peer trips (NOT led by or organized by the club - join at your own risk).
- Join other clubs emphasizing different paddle sports (eg Ceyana, Edmonton Whitewater, Northwest Voyageurs).
Gear, packing, and important considerations UAPS offers the rental of the following equipment:
- Kayak
- Spray skirt
- Helmet
- Paddle
- PFD
- Float bags
You will need to source the following paddling gear
- Paddling clothing (neoprene tops/bottoms/farmer johns, splash tops/bottoms, dry tops/suits)
- Wool/poly base layers - NO COTTON ON THE RIVER!
- Neoprene socks
- Paddling shoes - closed-toe and low-volume shoes that will stay on your feet while swimming, fit inside the kayak, give a good grip on slippery surfaces, and are comfortable.
- Dry bags - You will need a 10-15L dry bag of good quality.
- Layers you can store in your dry bag (fleece).
- Pogies, ear plugs, nose plugs, and paddling gloves if needed.
- Sunscreen
Please see the packing list on the BDP page for a list of gear you will need to camp in the wilderness for the weekend. Keep in mind that you are responsible for your own gear, and you may need things not listed on the packing list.
We are happy to help you look at second-hand gear options, and advise you on what you need for paddling gear. Feel free to reach out to bdp@paddleuaps.com if you have any questions.
No cotton on the river
“Cotton kills” is a saying in a lot of outdoor adventure sports. It might sound silly, but it’s true. Wet cotton clothing will rob you of vital warmth and can cause hypothermia. You’re better off paddling naked in glacial rivers than in cotton- and no, we don’t recommend you test this. Wool, polyester, nylon, polypropylene, and wool-poly blends are best on the river, as they wick moisture and retain warmth even when wet. Save your cotton band tee for the campground.
The financial cost of BDP
Paddling is an expensive sport to get into. UAPS does everything it can to keep the cost of BDP low. Keep in mind that everyone at UAPS is a volunteer - your instructors and sweeps are attending these weekends simply because they are passionate about getting you on the water. Here is a breakdown of Mo’s costs from last summer:
- The course cost is $350,
- The gear rental is $50,
- Camping for each weekend was between $10-$29/night, per tent.
- My portion of the Kananaskis Conservation Pass was $30 for the season because I carpooled.
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- This worked out to a total of ~$600, plus fuel and food, over four months.
- Keep in mind that BDP is eight days of paddling. For reference, a five-day commercially taught whitewater course is often $1000+. Our club is able to keep our fees lower, because we are entirely run by volunteers. Our club members are trained and certified, and teach BDP simply because it is important to them to pass on their love for paddling. Be sure to thank your instructors and sweeps for their generosity, as BDP would not be possible without them!
- The cost could have been further reduced if I shared a tent with someone, as camping is paid for per tent. Get cozy with your pals if you want to save more money!
- Be sure to consider the amount you will be paying for gear we cannot rent to you, such as paddling clothing, paddling shoes, and incidentals like sunscreen and replacing items lost on the river.
Resources
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