Grom Squad (all ages)

Tuesdays & Thursdays | 4:15–6:00 PM
September 8 – October 15, 2026
Meet at Santa Rita Park, ready to paddle

The Grom Squad is for young paddlers who are ready to take their skills to the next level and spend more time on the river. This twice-a-week program focuses on building strong fundamentals, developing confident boat control, and helping paddlers become more independent and comfortable in moving water.

Throughout the fall, paddlers will work on reading the river, using currents and hydraulic features to their advantage, refining their strokes and boat control, and building the confidence to navigate whitewater independently.

We’ll also introduce paddlers to the fun and competitive side of kayaking, including freestyle/rodeo, wildwater, slalom, and BoaterX.

What We’ll Work On

• Strengthen and refine paddling fundamentals
• Improve boat control in current
• Learn to recognize and utilize hydraulic features such as holes, waves, and eddies
• Develop river-reading skills and awareness of currents
• Build confidence and independence on the river
• Introduce kayak competition and different disciplines, including rodeo, wildwater, slalom, and BoaterX

Prerequisites

Paddlers must:

• Be able to consistently roll in a pool
• Have a basic understanding of paddling fundamentals
• Understand common whitewater features, including holes, waves, eddies, and currents
• Have their own personal paddling gear (reach out if you need gear):
  • PFD
  • Spray skirt
  • Paddle
  • Helmet
  • River shoes
  • Appropriate warm layers

Minimum of 3 participants required for the program to run.

Not sure if your paddler is ready? Reach out! We’re happy to help determine if Grom Squad is the right fit.

Come ready to paddle, learn, progress, and keep the STOKE alive all fall!