Kayaking courses on the Rhine near Laufenburg

What you can learn

• Paddle confidently and safely, even in currents and difficult conditions.
• Assess your abilities in relation to the degree of difficulty and danger spots.
• Re-entry, rescue and towing techniques.
• The kayak roll for self-rescue or just for fun.
• Paddling fast and with ease to enjoy long distances.
• Recognising the character of a boat's shape.
• Paddling in a team and at sea: route planning, navigation, meteorology, traffic and communication rules, risk management and safe equipment.

Good reasons to learn to kayak

• You gain experience without unnecessary risk.
• You will be supported in areas that will help you progress.
• You get used to a healthy style straight away.
• You will learn to assess a wide variety of equipment, which will save you time and money when buying.
• You can also try it out yourself - but it takes time.

Customised tours

As soon as you have a little experience, we can also organize a larger kayak tour, which we can plan together according to your ideas - from a day trip to Lake Constance to a circumnavigation of Elba.

Your trainer

• was a sailor from an early age and holds a recreational craft licence and marine radio certificate (SRC).
• has paddled around 40,000 kilometres solo and in a team on fresh and salt water.
• is a British Canoeing Coastal Kayaker.
• regularly takes part in marathons of up to 135 km.
• has gained confidence through Greenland rolling.
• paddles daily on the Rhine and undertakes challenging tours such as Helgoland solo.
• is a lifeguard.
• has successfully treated his chronically tense cervical spine by paddling.
• is a adult sports instructor in canoeing (ESA).

The Rhine near Laufenburg

The section of the High-Rhine near Laufenburg is particularly suitable for a paddling course. There are always calm spots here for your first attempts, but also some eddies to learn basic whitewater techniques. There is also a small surfing wave right by the jetty for practising.

Crossing the river at a wide point offers the opportunity to experience basic moments of navigation on tidal waters. With a bit of luck, steep, short waves can also form here in strong westerly winds (wind against current), which are definitely suitable for open water training.

You always have to reassess the navigability, as the conditions vary from boring to life-threatening depending on the water level. The protected framework of a course allows you to gain experience - without fatal consequences.

Greenland style - self-rescue for fun

To avoid having to exit the kayak after capsizing, the Inuit have developed the kayak roll into a versatile game. This means that the paddle stays dry YouTube or is exchanged for a stone. In summer, practising different rolls is a pleasant way to cool down and significantly increases safety. It will help you progress if you already know how to kayak roll, but want to be able to rely on it even in challenging conditions. YouTube

Nature experiences

As soon as you no longer have to concentrate so much on the kayak, the paddle and the water, your eyes will be free for nature, which reveals itself in great diversity, from the edge of the reeds to the steep banks. With a bit of luck, you may spot beavers, foxes or kingfishers in various habitats.

In winter, nature is particularly close, partly because the animals save energy by shortening their flight distance.

Paddling - the ideal winter sport

You can paddle as long as the water is liquid. As the Rhine at Laufenburg does not form an ice cover even in winter, there is no season. Only the clothing is adapted. You can hire a dry suit from me so that you can practise uninhibitedly despite the cold water and also risk capsizing - it doesn't matter - get back in and carry on.

Starting in winter is a good idea, by the way, so that you'll be fit for training with more water contact or a first tour next summer.

Appointments

The courses usually take place on Saturdays.
A half-day session is typical.
Arrangements are possible at any time.
We can arrange individual sessions on a case-by-case basis or put together a complete program.

A kayaking course as a gift

Because each course is unique and your gift will be a perfect fit, that's definitely a good idea.
It'll be even better if you join in yourself.

What should I bring with me?

In summer:
Swimwear, peaked cap, long-sleeved T-shirt and, if necessary, a thin rain jacket.
In winter:
Thermal underwear and an extra set of dry clothes.
In general:
Drinking water and a snack, as required.

How long will it take me to learn how to paddle a kayak?

Basic skills can be acquired in 3 to 5 sessions. It takes 10 to 20 sessions to learn your first kayak roll.

Are there also courses in kayak rolling?

Of course, you can also just learn the kayak roll/Eskimo roll. I teach the roll in the Greenland style.

Is it dangerous to paddle on the Rhine?

Once you have learned to recognise dangerous spots and know your limits, paddling on the High Rhine is not dangerous. Tragic accidents only happen due to ignorance and overconfidence.

Am I too old to learn how to paddle?

As long as you do not have any significant limitations in mobility and coordination, you can learn to paddle. The average age of touring paddlers is surprisingly high.

Prerequisites

We can gladly discuss everything in detail:

• What should your kayaking course look like?
  Or your tour?
• What should you bring?
• What clothing is practical?

Contact

Gerhard Kunsemüller
Fischergasse 14
CH-5080 Laufenburg
 
 
Call +41 (0)62 874 02 49
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