A Typical Paddling Day:

Beginner River Runs meet at our base in Charlemont, MA at 10:30 am and finish around 4:30 pm. Your instructors will encourage you to push your limits. On each river run, there may be specific rapids where options will be presented, but the instructor will have final say as to what each river runner may decide to do. Each student will have their own boat and will be expected to carry it from the vehicle to the water and back.

You will be spending somewhere between four and five hours in your boat. You will be sitting with your legs stretched in front of you. To prepare, you will want to stretch your thighs, hamstrings and torso (back, stomach, shoulders and neck). Increasing your flexibility allows you to develop more efficient strokes, and be more comfortable in your boat. The book “Stretching” by Bob Anderson is an excellent reference for specific stretches.

Clothing/Gear

What should I wear?

While some of the flatwater areas we use are quite warm in June, July and August, the Deerfield River is always cool, regardless of the time of year or air temperature. When packing your paddling clothes, please plan accordingly, especially if you are coming early or late in the season (April, May, September and October). Our clinics will run rain or shine.

Wear items such as :

 - synthetic long underwear, garments made of plypropylene, capilene, or some  

   polyester/spandex blend.

 - fleece or wook socks

 - bathing suit

 - fleece or wool jacket/sweater (early/late season or if you tend to chill easily)

Other items to bring.

 - sunscreen

 - sunglasses

 - retaining strap for glasses

 - nose plugs

 - towel

 - required medications

 - extra money for snacks, t-shirts, or coin operated showers.

Zoar Outdoor will provide:

 - boat

 - wetsuit

 - paddle jacket

 - booties

 - life jacket

 - helmet

 - paddle

 - sprayskirt

(If you own your own equipment, we suggest you use it in the clinic to get used to its idiosyncracies.)

Getting Here

From Boston:

• Take Route 2 west. Where Route 2 merges with Interstate 91 in Greenfield, take 91 south, but be sure to exit again onto Route 2 west at the next exit (exit 26).
• Zoar Outdoor is about 17 miles west of this exit. We’re based in a red colonial on the north side of the road. Look for the blue, white and green sign.
• Driving time from downtown approximately 2 1/2 hours.

From New York City:

• Take Interstate 95 north to Interstate 91 north.
• Take exit 26 in Massachusetts and follow Route 2 west for about 17 miles. We’re based in a red colonial on the north side of the road. Look for the blue, white and green sign.
• Driving time from Manhattan approximately 3 1/2 - 4 hours, depending upon traffic.

From Albany, New York:

• Take Route 2 east through North Adams.
• Continue past North Adams and over the mountain, about 20 miles. Our base is the red house on the north side of Route 2 on the western outskirts of the town center. Look for the blue, white and green sign.
• Driving time approximately 1 1/2 hours.

Additional Information

Shop Discount

At the start of your clinic you will get two shop discount cards good for two weeks from the date of your clinic. One card entitles you to 10% off accessories in our Outfitters Shop. The second card entitles you to a $50.00 discount off a boat purchase. All boat purchases come with free outfitting and 10% off accessories in the Outfitters Shop for the next year.