Montana Kayaking
Trip descriptions • Two-day kayaking clinic • Kayak School schedule & rates • Kayaking Camps
At the Deb Moravec School of Kayaking, we have a simple goal to make you a stronger kayaker. We offer whitewater kayak classes for every skill level, from basic river running to advanced playboating as well as youth kayaking camps. we also offer skill specific kayak clinics on the Eskimo Roll and River Safety and Rescue.* Our experienced staff of instructors focus on the individual goals of each student. By never exceeding an instructor-to-student ratio of 1:4, we ensure that students receive the individual attention needed to be successful.
We emphasize safety, strong paddling technique, and a high level of fun in all of our classes. We offer Dagger and Pyrana river-running kayaks as well as all the necessary gear to hit the river. If you have your own boat, you are encouraged to bring it to the lesson.
At the Deb Moravec School of Kayaking, we want to make you a better boater. Decide what areas of your paddling you would like to improve and give us a call – we will create a lesson just for you.
*Our River Safety and Rescue clinic is not a certified Swift Water Rescue course.
Sit-on-Top Kayak Trips
For the adventurous, try an inflatable or sit-on-top kayak trip. Discover the freedom and challenge of the river by paddling your own boat. These adventures begin with a paddling and safety instruction session, and are guided by on of our Whitewater Kayak Instructors. Kayak trips accompany our regular scheduled raft trips on the Blackfoot River and the Alberton Gorge, or custom trips can be arranged. Our two-hour trips begin above Missoula, travel through Hellgate Canyon and end in the heart of Missoula.
Full-Day includes lunch served riverside.
- Departs at 9 am and returns between 2 pm – 4 pm.
- $95 per person, gear included.
Half-Day includes appetizers and beverages.
- Departs at 8:30 am and returns between 12 pm – 1 pm.
- Departs at 1 pm and returns between 4 pm – 5 pm.
- $80 per person, gear included.
Two Hour Scenic Float Trips Through Hellgate Canyon
- Date: July 17, July 24, August 14
- Departs at 1 pm and returns about 3 pm
- $50 per person, gear included
Two Day/One Night Trips
Day One: Meet at our location in Missoula at 9 am. You will receive your own dry bag to pack your things and obtain any other camping gear you might need. We transport you to the river access where we have lunch riverside before a safety talk and then departure.
Rafting on the Blackfoot River, stopping periodically to enjoy the scenery, rest and have a bite to eat. The first day you will travel 14 miles down the Blackfoot River before stopping at your camp site. You can help your guide set up camp along the river’s edge, or just change clothes and relax as your guides prepare dinner. There are plenty of tales to tell around the campfire.
Day Two: Wake up to a hot cooked breakfast and fresh coffee! Once everyone is packed and ready to depart, you will travel another 9 miles along the beautiful Blackfoot River before finishing up near Bonner, Montana.
Meet place: Missoula office at 8080 W. Riverside Dr., Missoula, MT 59802.
Meet time: 9 am.
Meals provided: Lunch, dinner, breakfast, lunch and snacks.Finishing Time: 2 pm – 3 pm.
Directions from Missoula: Traveling eastbound on I-90 just east of Missoula, take exit 109 (Bonner/Great Falls). When you get off the exit, there will be a large Exxon gas station on your right. Directly across from the main entrance to the gas station, turn left onto First .Street. At the stop sign, turn left on to West Riverside Drive. Travel about fifty feet and we’re on the right hand side of the road. We’re easy to find, but if you have any questions, just give us a call.
What to bring: Sleeping bag and pillow, your clothes, swimsuits, fast drying clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses and straps, hats with straps, lotion, scandals or tennis shoes you don’t mind getting wet.
2010 OVERNIGHT TRIP DATES:
- June 8-9
- June 10-11
- June 15-16
- June 17-18
Contact us for group discounts.
Two-day kayaking clinic
The first day of the clinic will be held at the Frenchtown Pond. The Frenchtown Pond is a perfect location for beginners to learn how to get in and out of the kayak, the wet exit, and introduce stokes we use in kayaking. The forward stroke, the sweep stroke and the bow draw will be the strokes we will work on throughout the clinic. In the morning, we start practicing these strokes and also talk about the whitewater application of each stroke. We break for a delicious gourmet-style lunch. In the afternoon, we will practice our new strokes and the wet exit, preparing ourselves for DAY TWO and moving current.
On the second day, we will begin on moving current (either the Blackfoot or Clark Fork River) practicing the strokes we learned the previous day. We will practice eddy turns in the moving current, while heading slowly downstream. An eddy is a calm area on the river, most likely by the shore or behind a rock. Kayakers use these eddies to slow down a rapid and rest, therefore it is important to know how to enter and exit an eddy. Break for lunch. In the afternoon we will go downstream slowly, while practicing our strokes and eddy turns and spend time talking about the whitewater application of everything you’ve learned. Meet time is 9 am at our business location and ends around 5 pm. All equipment and daily lunch is provided.
2010 Kayak School Schedule
| Date | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| June 13 | Blackfoot River Trip with Instruction | $160 |
| June 19-20 | Two-day Beginner Clinic | $220 |
| July 10 | Clark Fork River Trip with Instruction | $160 |
| July 17 | Two-Hour Trip - Hellgate Canyon | $50 |
| July 19-22 | Four-Day Youth Camp | $375 |
| July 24 | Two-Hour Trip - Hellgate Cayon | $50 |
| July 26-27 | Two-Day Beginner Clinic | $220 |
| August 7-8 | Two-Day Beginner Clinic | $220 |
| August 9-12 | Four-Day Youth Camp | $375 |
| August 14 | Two-Youth Trip - Hellgate Canyon | $50 |
| August 21 | Clark Fork River Trip with Instruction | $160 |
| August 28-29 | Two-day Youth Clinic | $220 |
BY REQUEST:
| Description | Cost |
|---|---|
| Half-Day Sit-on-Top Kayak Trip | $80 |
| Full-Day Sit-on-Top Kayak Trip | $95 |
| Two-Hour Sit-on-Top Kayak Trips - Hellgate Canyon (two person minimum) | $50 |
| Two-Day Clinic | $220 |
| Five-Day Clinic | $475 |
| Half-Day Semi-private Lessons | $110 |
| Full-Day Semi-private Lessons | $140 |
| Half-Day Private Lesson | $140 |
| Full-Day Private Lesson | $200 |
| Half-Day Guided River Trip | $100 |
| Full-Day Guided River Trip | $160 |
A two person minimum is required for clinics. Gear is provided and lunch is provided on full-day trips and clinics.
