Platte River Canoeing Skills Course

Honor, MI, USA

Duration: 7 days
Group size: 1 - 1
Platte River Canoeing Skills Course
Honor, MI, USA


Duration: 7 days
Group size: 1 - 1

About this trip

The Upper Platte River is scenic, fun, and exciting! It’s swift current and shallow waters offer challenging paddling and low consequences when mistakes are made, making it ideal for learning.


During this 4-hour instructional session you will learn the advance paddling techniques required to navigate obstacles in fast rivers. These techniques include a variety of different strokes, ferrying, and self-rescue. You will begin in the bow, which tends to be easier, before moving to the stern position once you have demonstrated proficiency.

You will be spending several hours in the sun on this float. Please plan accordingly by applying sunscreen and wearing a hat and sunglasses if desired. Bring appropriate clothing for getting wet, more often than not you will enter the river at least once on this paddle. You will also have the option to practice self rescue, which involves full submersion.

Dry bags will be provided for cell phones, however dry-bag systems can fail and it is impossible to provide guaranteed waterproofing. If in doubt, leave your phone behind as Traverse Wilderness Guides assumes no responsibility over damage or loss of personal items.

Clients must be at least 18 years old.


Trips can be booked between July 1 and August 30, 2020 at this time.

What’s included

  • Canoe
  • Paddle
  • PFD
  • Dry Bags
  • Bladder for water refill
  • Lesson
    From an ACA-certified guide
  • Video from your trip
  • Shuttle
    You will be transported back to your vehicle when the course is complete.

What’s not included

  • Food
  • Waterbottle
  • Travel Insurance
  • Towel

Available Packages

Trip Price
$120

Itinerary

Platte River Canoe Cours
4 hours of instruction on the Platte River

We will meet at the scheduled time at Veterans Memorial State Forest Campground just off of US-31/Honor Hwy.

After a short, dry-land instructional session, we will board the canoe and proceed down the river. We will begin in fast water and need to employ corrective strokes within the first minute.

After about an hour of paddling and once you have demonstrated proficiency in the bow, you will get a chance to practice the backwards ferry before switching into the stern position.

After 2-3 hours of paddling, we will arrive at Platte Lake. If desired, you will have the opportunity to flip the canoe and practice self-rescue. Upon arriving at the take-out, the canoe will be loaded and you will be transported back to your vehicle.

Your Organizer


TW
Traverse Wilderness Guides
At Traverse Wilderness Guides, we cherish wild places and wish to share them. With help from our certified and experienced guides, you’ll visit our region’s hidden gems and learn how to enjoy the great outdoors responsibly. Show up dressed for the activity with your water bottle and we take care of the rest.

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