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.

“And that has made all the difference.”

New River Academy Kayak School News and Updates

Choshuenco y el rio Fuy

Greetings from Choshuenco! Choshuenco is a one-road town about three hours south of Pucon, accessible only by dirt roads that encircle dazzling lake after dazzling lake. We have our own little lake here in Choshuenco and have been taking advantage of the scenery to enhance our classroom environments. The lower Fuy drains into Lago Choshuenco, which makes the take-out a five minute stroll from our cute hotel, La Posada. Everyone is loving the Fuy! The Upper Fuy boasts an awesome run- a super clean 25-footer, Salto Los Leones, followed by an awesome class V section. I’ll let the more experienced boasters describe the run...

Rainy Days in Choshuenco

It’s been raining every day here in Choshuenco by the Rio Fuy. In photo class we were sent out on a photo shoot to capture the grungy side of this wet town. Here’s what I got.

Share and Enjoy: Read More...Rainy Days in Choshuenco

Rainy Choshuenco

Choshuenco is a beautiful little lakeside town, but can look very grungy, especially on a rainy day. Matt assigned us to walk around and take photos making the town look very gloomy.

Share and Enjoy: Read More...Rainy Choshuenco

Coaches Report

Hey Everyone!

We have passed the first week in Chile with everyday being better than the next. The group arrived safely and soundly in Pucon around a week ago. We spent the time by starting off with a safety clinic to bring everyone up to date on their rescue skills before we hit the river. After we had finished this we headed to the local runs such as the Upper and Lower Trancura and the Rio Palguin! All of these runs were perfect starters to reboot everyones paddling skills up to where they were when they left.

If you haven’t heard we have a secret weapon with us so far that has been Priceless. Billy Harris. Billy is a multiple time...