Alberta

    Rocky Canoe & Kayak Club (Rocky Mountain House) 

 

    Northwest Brigate Paddling Club (Prince George)

    Golden Kayak Club

    Blackwater Paddlers (Quesnel)

    Borderline Boaters (west/south Kootenay area)

Saskatchewan

 

    Yukon Canoe & Kayak Club 

All of the kayak clubs listed above offer introductory kayaking lessons, roll clinics, and moving water clinics - generally in the winter and spring. Endless Adventure in Nelson offers courses throughout the summer.

 

Aquabatics in Calgary offers introductory courses year round as well as specialized courses in creekboating, playboating, and running waterfalls in spring and summer.

 

The Alberta Whitewater Association offers a comprehensive series of kayak instructor and swift water rescue courses.

 

If you're the competitive type, CanoeKayak Canada can get you started in slalom or flatwater racing. If playboating is more your style, look into the Alberta Whitewater Kayaking Association.

 

First Aid knowledge is mandatory in this sport. St John Ambulance is widely considered the standard for First Aid and CPR training. Consider following up a standard or emergency First Aid certification with a wilderness First Aid course.

Festival	Location	Date
Chilliwack River Festival	Chilliwack, BC	Late April - early May
Pincher Creek Rendezvous	Castle River, AB	May long weekend (always)
Grande Cache Wild River Rendezvous	Grande Cache, AB	First weekend in June (always)
Puntledge River Festival	Courtenay, BC	Late May - early June (typically)
Kootenay River Festival	Slocan River, BC	Last weekend in June (typically)
Alberta Paddlefest	Red Deer River, AB	Mid-July (typically)
Callaghan River Race and Festival	Whistler, BC	Mid-July (typically)
Clearwater Kayak Festival	Clearwater, BC	Early August (typically)
Slave River Paddlefest	Fort Smith, NWT	August long weekend
Kananaskis River Festival	Kananaskis River, AB	Mid-August (typically)
Brierlies Whitewater Classic	Rocky Mountain House, AB	Mid-August (typically)
Fraser Fest	Mount Robson, BC	Labour Day long weekend (always)
Likely Fest	Likely, BC	Mid-September (typically)

 

The Alberta Whitewater Association maintains a Google calendar with exact dates of festivals in the province.

 

You'll need to be at least an intermediate paddler to be comfortable kayaking at the Fraser, Slave, Grande Cache, or Callaghan festivals. 

Note that the Fraser River 'festival' is not an organized event but rather an informal, annual gathering.