Advanced/Honors Placement

An Exciting Academy...

...and that has made all the difference

The Kowalskis Wanted to Prepare Katie for University

Katie Kowalski- OKS Instructor, Canada Jr. National Champ and New River Academy Gapper

Joe and Sue Kowalski realized Katie worked and trained hard in high school as a star student and 3-time Canada Kayak Team member. But was she ready for college?

“Sue and I wanted a year for Katie to mature to ensure her success at university. Learning a second language, traveling with a team, mastering logistics and communication skills were where we agreed with Katie. A kayak gap year abroad would be both productive and an exciting opportunity. Investing in her success is an easy decision. Choosing New River Academy was just as easy.”

-Joe Kowalski, owner Ottawa Kayak School’s Keeners Youth Kayak Camps

A gap year abroad kayaking helps students discover career direction, safely explore the world, learn communication skills, and fulfill their adventure needs. You dreamt of giving your child the best. Now is the time to invest in your child. You can still apply.

"Click here to read about Gap Year Chile."

“And that has made all the difference.”

New River Academy Kayak School News and Updates

Corner Wave Freestyle Training

Hey Everyone!

We just got off the water from a great freestyle training exercise. Today was Freestyle Day. That means we focus on 2 or 3 different freestyle moves and learn how to practice them and how to push yourself. We take 5 rides on each move. In these rides we are only doing these moves, this allows us to focus completely on the task at hand and not get distracted by wanting to try other tricks. Once everyone is on their free time they will feel comfortable trying these tricks in their ride because they will have gotten past that awkward stage of trying a trick and not hitting it every time. Check out some of the shots from the...

Yoga!!!!

Hey Everyone,

Coach Tino Specht writing in to tell you guys about an awesome new part of our Morning Workout!!! Kira Tenney, our talented english teacher is also a great Yoga teacher! She led morning workout yesterday and the athletes got the chance to stretch it out in the morning. The reason we are incorporating Yoga into morning workout now is because a high percentage of injuries in kayaking are related to not stretching enough. I myself had a bad back injury this summer because I don’t stretch enough. Our goal is to protect everybody in this program from any injuries! Yoga is just another great way to do that.

Enjoy,

Coach Tino Specht

Hit Your Line Day

Hey Everyone!

Checking in here from the banks of the Ottawa River to keep you up to date on the happenings at New River Academy! Yesterday was Hit Your Line Day. Hit Your Line Day is the day where we all go out to a specific rapid and scout it as a group. Then we talk about the best ways to look at a rapid and break it down into pieces. This helps everyone to understand exactly what they need to do in the rapid without getting completely overwhelmed. Then every athlete picks a line that they think will challenge them and meets personally with the coach about it. Once they have ok’d their line with one of the coaches they...

First Day Of School and Safety!

Hey Everyone,

Just checkin in here from our second day of school to update you on how awesome this year is starting out. We are here on the banks of the Ottawa River relaxing into our new year here at New River Academy. Classes have started and I’ve already heard the student bragging about who’s schedule is better! Kayaking wise, we have been taking the first half of every afternoon session to practice our safety technique. First we worked on our throw rope skills with Lorenzo and myself as the instructors. Lorenzo grew up on a very difficult river, because of this he has a higher understanding of throw rope rescues than almost anybody I have ever met. Lorenzo put the...

New River Academy Kayak School
Rt. 2 Box 245
Fayetteville, WV 25840
(304)- 574-0403
Fax: (304) 513-2247
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