My wife and I booked a week-long session at the Madawaska Kanu Center August 2018. When we first showed up we found the entrance to be blocked by vans towing kayaks, so we parked on the street. A woman, who turned out to be the owner of MKC (Claudia) said, "Are you here for the kayak instruction?" When we said "yes" she said, "Will you move your truck to the student lot." So much for, "Hi. Welcome. We are so happy to have you here." So, we moved our truck to the student lot but there were no spots available, so we wound up right back where we were.
When I registered, I was told that on the first day, there would be a "skills session," after which students would be assigned to groups. Well, on the first day, there was no "skills session." Instead, class assignments were given out, and we were assigned to the beginner class. That infuriated me - since my wife and I have had Class 2 and Cass 3 whitewater paddling experience, we were clearly not beginners. I went up to the owner of MKC (Claudia) and said, "We are not beginners." She said, "I can see that from the boats you brought. Fine. I'll put you in the novice group."
In my mind, a novice is either a beginner or one step up from a beginner, so I said, "I'm not a novice." I should have said, "We are not novices," but I was still upset about being assigned to the beginner group. Claudia said, "Okay. I'll put you in the advanced group." My wife chose to stay in the novice group because of a severe thumb injury she had and didn't want to hold back the other students in the advanced group. In retrospect, she needed to be in a more challenging group.
Regarding the "Advanced Class," there was one student who swam seven or eight times, another who swam four times, and another who swam twice. None of those who swam had a combat roll or even attempted a combat roll. A combat roll is something most kayaking instruction schools require if you are going to be considered advanced. We spent far too much time rescuing swimmers and chasing down their equipment. On multiple occasions I helped in the rescue efforts, but no other "advanced" student did.
One of the questions on the paddler feedback form was, "Were your objectives met?" Before we started we were asked by our instructor what we wanted to work on. I said, that I wanted to improve my bow draw and to get crisper turns into eddies. I admit to being a lazy paddler. Well, the instructor decided to teach everyone a "power sweep stroke" and the Duffek, something none of us asked for.
Another question was: how was the pre-course communication? Answer: there was none. Period.
Another question on the review form was: how were the locations for teaching? The Madawaska river location was pretty good but, because there is no dam release on Friday, we had to go to the Ottawa river on the last day. On the Ottawa River we encountered some short but challenging rapids that were followed by what seemed to be a mile of flat water. Not good. Whitewater kayak instruction should be 90% rapids and 10% flat water, not the other way around.
Finally, the last question on the review form was: what was your favorite meal? MKC allowed us to pay for lunches. Except for burgers at lunch one day, the meals were unremarkable. We also asked to purchase dinner for the week and were told that we could not because we were staying off-site (HUH? Are you serious?). In any event, we know nothing about the dinners or, for that matter, the breakfasts. It turns out that there were after-dinner sessions, such as a review of the day, that we may have benefited from. In any event, who cares about the meals?
What we found weird was that the instructors were not allowed to eat with the students. Whenever we have had instruction at any other place in the USA, we always ate with our instructors and/or hung around afterwards with our instructors. Why would MKC separate instructors from the students? That would have improved communications, something that is sorely lacking at MKC.
So, if you are in Canada and don't want to go to the States, you may have little choice of where you take group lessons. If you can go to the States, though, try NOC, or RMOC, or Otter Bar or any of the great schools in the US. It is our impression that MKC caters to people who have been there before and/or who are staying on site. Maybe it is different if you are a canoer but, for us, we will never go back. read more
