Classes include 9 hours of instruction in 3 sessions. Students at the same paddling level stay together as a group and experience different instructors at each session. Precision Conoeing Introduction to techniques for precise hull control; focus on entering, stationing, trim, and correct paddle handling; forward and reverse in a straight line, turns, spins, and moving sideways; does not include gear, safety and rescue training, or transporting hulls. Level I Introduction to Freestyle and Flatwater Skills Review; Recommended for paddlers who've never tried FS paddling. Even if you're an experienced paddler, good FS maneuvers start with technically precise forward, reverse, correction, or sweep strokes and require introduction to FS concepts and terminology. Let our instructors review and fine tune your existing skills, introduce FS terminology, and demo basic FS maneuvers. At this level the student can build a good foundation for FS paddling and attempt their first FS maneuvers. Level II Participants should have some flatwater skills and be familiar with what FS paddling is supposed to be. They should have seen FS demos or even attempted some maneuvers. Basic Flatwater strokes are reviewed and FS maneuvers including the Axle, Post, Christie, and Wedge in the forward quadrant are taught at this level. Level III Students should have previous freestyle instruction, be familiar with current terminology, and FS forward maneuvers. Forward Maneuvers are reviewed and the family of reverse strokes and FS maneuvers in the reverse quadrant are taught at this level. Level IV Forward and Reverse FS maneuvers are reviewed along with cross bow techniques. This level teaches FS Cross Forward maneuvers, such as the Cross Axle, Cross Christie, Cross Post, and Cross Wedge. Level V Students should be well advanced in FS paddling and should be versed in Forward, Reverse, and Cross Forward FS maneuvers. This level adds FS Cross Rreverse maneuvers to the students repertoire. Competition Level A class for advanced students wanting to develop a competition routine. It includes music selection, development of performance ideas, choreography, and other suggestions by those who have been there. Students may choose to bring a 3 to 4 minute music tape for development. FreeStyle Exhibition Loads of fun ! Paddlers show what interpretive FreeStyle Canoeing is all about as they put dance-on-the-water routines to music. Anyone can participate. If not sure about your level, contact John Steib for further discussion. It’s easier to this early than to restructure classes at the event so don’t be reluctant. John Steib e-mail : jsteib@cox.net phone : 225-654-5224