Whitewater Weekend at Palmer Rapids - Learning to Paddle Whitewater

In June, a group of likeminded folks gathered at the Paddler Coop in Palmer Rapids to paddle some whitewater. For some, this would be their first time in running swifts and rapids, while for others, this was an opportunity to hone their skills. Many of us had never met, only knowing each other via Instagram and KZbin, but the group dynamic ended up being great - we all had a blast! It was a pleasure to meet the folks from other social networks, like Camper Christina, Riley Outside, Beauty of the Backcountry, Evan Le5, Ben Beauchamp and others.
For my wife Janie and I, this was a canoe trip weekend of mostly whitewater lessons with our instructor, Ian (aka Starlord!) who did a great job of explaining and demonstrating the ins and outs of paddling swifts and rapids. Janie and I dunked numerous times, but each time, we learned something new, got back in the canoe, and tried again.
On the Saturday evening, we gathered in one of the campsites for some washer toss, camaraderie and jamming some tunes. It was a great time listening to Jay, Geoff, Evan and Ben playing guitar and singing.
Then Sunday, it was back out on the water for some more fun!
This would mark just the beginning of my love with whitewater! The following weekend, I met Riley to paddle the Lower Madawaska, then a few days later, departed on a 10-day, 200 km expedition down the upper section of the Missinaibi River in norther Ontario, where we would encounter all sorts of whitewater conditions (videos live now, check my channel!)
Thanks to everyone at the Paddler Coop for a great weekend!
Riley (RileyOutside) - Instagram ‪@RileyOutside‬
Christina (Camper Christina) - Instagram and KZbin ‪@CamperChristina‬
Jay and Sheri (Beauty of the Backcountry) - Instagram and KZbin ‪@beautyofthebackcountry‬
Evan Lefebvre - Instagram and KZbin ‪@Evan_Le5‬
Ben Beauchamp - Instagram and KZbin ‪@benbeauchamp16‬
Mike - Instagram @ipmike_67
Tyler - Instagram @tyler_mckinnon27
Paddler Coop - Instagram @paddlercooperative
Thanks for watching!
Eric ‪@GreybeardAdventures‬
Keywords: #whitewater #whitewatercanoe #canoeing #madawaska #paddlercoop #palmerrapids #canoetrip

[@ontinterests3604]

Good for you guys for getting into whitewater!

[@GreybeardAdventures]

Thanks, it was loads of fun! Helped me get ready for my 10-day, 200km Missinaibi River trip where I gained even more confidence and experience in whitewater :)

[@benbeauchamp16]

Non stop fun at every moment that weekend. You did a great job of capturing it all, gets me excited for Palmer fest!

[@GreybeardAdventures]

Thanks Ben! It was definitely a great weekend! I’ll be looking forward to PalmerFest as well 👍

[@carolannontario]

Looks like so much fun! Nicely put together and really interesting to watch!

[@GreybeardAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it! It was a super fun weekend!

[@Evan_Le5]

Great video Eric it’s got me wishing I was back there now!!!

[@GreybeardAdventures]

I’m looking forward to getting back out there too!

[@beautyofthebackcountry]

We loved sharing this weekend with you and the rest of the gang, Eric! It's amazing how a group of folks can so immediately connect and become such fast friends. Great job capturing the weekend, and thanks for the washer toss lesson ;) Until next time!!

[@GreybeardAdventures]

Such a great group of people! It was a pleasure meeting you both and Janie & I are looking forward to getting out in the backcountry with you sometime 😁

[@robintheoutside]

Great video .. Such an epic weekend, I've enjoyed watching all the posts from everyone. I'm absolutely going to take this course next spring!

[@GreybeardAdventures]

Thanks so much! Definitely a worthwhile course if you’re looking for some great whitewater instruction 👍

[@lipsticklodge7526]

Thanx 4 posting this! I told Jim Baird about my bad experience on another river while I was on a course..I quit ww that day..sold my LL kayak and threw in the paddle..I stick to calmer lake waters now..having to get thru 3 feet of ww to see another day did it 4 me but I can actually see me doing this course! This water us much calmer than the water I was on...plus it looks like there were spotters to help if they were needed..

[@GreybeardAdventures]

Sorry to hear about your experience. But the Paddler Coop did a great job of running this course, and there were tons of spotters. Of course, water levels can change at any time too, so the river can be so different from one day to the next…

[@lipsticklodge7526]

There is a big difference in the ww training experience there..I might even consider doing it!

[@GreybeardAdventures]

@@lipsticklodge7526 Best of luck if you do get out there! 💪