Running drops coaching session

Course Programme


Overview & Summary
Course Content
Course Itinerary
Group Composition
Experience Required
What the Price Does/Does not Include
Deposit Payment
Booking Info

On the road in Norway

Sjoa, Norway is famous for waterfalls, slides, and monster rapids, however it is also home to more of the world’s finest Class III and IV white water than you’ll find anywhere else. From the big and bouncy Sjoa to steep and technical Store Ula, and everything in between, the region has it all, and that’s why we run our highly popular progressive trips here.

You’ll spend the first week based on the banks of the Sjoa river, home to some of the world’s finest whitewater, and less than an hour’s drive from a huge range of rivers of all styles. From steep creeks for practising boofs and flares, to curlers and waves to ride on big volume rivers, there’s nowhere better to experience a wide variety of whitewater.

During the second week, its time to hit the road, and put the newly formed skills into work. A road trip via Valldal to develop your paddling on a range of testing runs, whilst see some of the very best of Norway’s west coast. We drive via the Troll Road, passed the Troll Wall and Geirangerfjord taking in fine white water, and living the paddlers dream.

Whitewater paddlers often want something different from the river, yet in essence it’s to overcome the challenge that lies before them, whether that is a rapid, a drop or a specific move, all to be dialled with style, a good line and a great outcome. The core elements to a successful paddler can be drilled down to 3 subjects:

River Guiding
On the river, there’s a set of common skills you need for safe and successful descents. We give you those skills. We’ll also look at river guiding from a kayak, concentrating on running fun, safe trips on water up to class IV. We’ll aim to cover all the elements of BCU 5 Star but – first and foremost – we’ll be showing you all the skills and tricks that we’ve picked up from year after year on the water. Experience matters, though, so we’ll spend time on rivers throughout Norway.

Safety & Rescue Technician
Safety’s paramount to working on whitewater, so we’ll give you the skills to stay safe in a dynamic river environment. The BCU Advanced Whitewater Safety & Rescue Training course is kayak specific and covers everything from first response to steep access work. Gene17’s no nonsense approach is simple and more importantly prompt, will help to identify problems before they unfold, so you can change outcomes.

Kayak Paddling
We’ll offer your BCU 5 Star Training but, more importantly, we’ll develop paddling skills to apply to any situation. We cover all the very best of dynamic new school paddling, breaking down even the most complex moves and techniques into clear, easy-to-follow teaching points. From flatwater to Alpine class IV, we’ll show you the tactics you need for a solid paddling repertoire.


Course Content


  • We’ll get you paddling dynamically, keeping your momentum through rapids and drops, powering through turns, and mastering precise paddle place, needed for steeper white water
  • We’ll give you the tools for paddling the modern dynamic style, along with our progressive ideas in the paddler correct movement
  • We’ll look at spotting whitewater features for the ideal learning venues, allowing for dynamic risk assessments and accommodating the demands of your group
  • We’ll sharpen up your whitewater safety and rescue skills in the formal setting of a professional river leader
  • We’ll help you find where you are with your paddling and we’ll give you a progression plan to work to
  • We’ll sign off the BCU 5 Star for those with the correct pre-requisites

Course Itinerary


Day 1 Arrival day. Settle into Sjoa and meet the rest of the team
Day 2 Hit the water! After a quick gear review and boat outfitting session, we’ll go for a chilled out paddle on the Sjoa. It’ll give us the chance to look at how you’re paddling and find out what you want to work on
Day 3 Today is a technical skill review and the chance to set some goals for the rest of the week. We’ll head to a more challenging section of the Sjoa and introduce you to some of the key concepts of dynamic river paddling.
Day 4 Coaching best practise! We’ll spend the morning working on the paddlers correct movement – a sure-fire way to sharpen up your river skills. In the afternoon, we’ll head out for a river trip
Day 5 An all-day trip to the Lori. This classic run combines quality whitewater with an amazing canyon.  We’ll look at formal leading of a group, accommodating coaching whilst running different river styles on the Lori.
Day 6 Another big day out. We’ll head to a classic pool drop river and put your new skills to the test, whilst looking at group awareness and safety set ups and rescue scenarios.
Day 7 Norwegian classic, the Upper Rauma. We’ll head for something with fun drops, scenic surroundings and world class whitewater. The ideal finish to a perfect week. Focusing on the observation, and added value sessions for your learners.


Day 8 REST Day


Day 9 A full run of the River Sjoa, THE Norwegian Classic


Day 10-11 We head north past Rondane National Park to Dombås for the famed Ula & Upper Rauma, all classic runs, and Over the Troll Road to Valldal
Day 12-13 We enjoy the delights of the West Coast in the Strawberry Valley
Day 14 Head back to Sjoa, via the picture prefect Geirangerfjord
Day 15 Departure day: We’ll give everybody an individual debrief before heading off.
Of course, this schedule’s only a guideline: we’ll chop and change depending on how you’re getting on, what the levels are like and what everyone wants to do

Group Composition


The trip will be led by an experienced Gene17kayaking appointed trip leader. In selecting suitable leaders, we not only look to ensure that they have the relevant qualifications but we also ensure that they have an excellent track record of white water paddling from around the world. Whilst qualifications and experience are essential requirements, we also make sure that our leaders have the right temperament to lead a trip group comprised of individuals who have a range of previous experience and expectations. The leader is a vital contributor to the enjoyment and well-being of the trip members and he or she will be there to deal with any unexpected problems. To that end, we aim to provide a leader who will make the trip both successful and enjoyable throughout.Our leaders hold current wilderness first aid certificates and have experience of dealing with remote river related medical conditions.We will take a maximum of 6 paddlers on each trip, although the number may well be less than this. With every 3 paddlers we have on the trip, we’ll have a highly experienced Gene17kayaking Teacher/Guide.

Experience Required


The D4DR WW Course takes place on Class III/IV whitewater.
The D4DR WW Course is suitable for experienced paddlers who are able to paddle for 4 – 6 hours in a day on Class III/IV and wish to become the next generation of solid river leaders. Generally the rivers are accessible with near road access, but occasionally there may be some exposed terrain. This trip begins on an easier section of whitewater, but will soon reflect conditions expected at the grade. Participants should therefore expect to be in a river environment during peak runoff for sometimes extended periods of time. You are welcome to Contact Us, if you would like to discuss the trip in more detail.

What the Price Does/Does not Include


TRIP COST: 2250€

What the price does include

  • Teaching and Instruction
  • Full accommodation including all meals
  • Local collection & River shuttles*
  • Use of a full spec whitewater kayak** from our fleet

* Getting from Oslo Airport – There is a frequent yet irregular bus and train service from Oslo to Otta. We collect from Otta Bus/Train Station from 1800-1900 on the day of arrival, and drop off for 1000 on the day of departure. An airport shuttle from Oslo to Sjoa is NOT included with ANY of our Norway Trips, Courses & Adventures, as the direct public transport link is straight forward and easy to undertake.
** Gene17 has a small yet excellent selection of kayaks for a range of different sized paddlers, & these are available on a first come, first served basis ONLY

Accommodation & Catering
You’ll be staying at our shared apartment in the Sjoa Valley and Valldal with all bed linen provided. We’ll provide a continental breakfast, a light lunch and an evening dinner either at a local restaurant or home-cooked by one of our guides

The Personal Paddling Equipment you should bring:

  • A good semi-drytop or drytop or drysuit
  • Your paddle
  • Whitewater PFD, spray deck and good helmet
  • Solid footwear for bank support – no sandals
  • Rescue gear, including a throwbag, knife, sling and karabiner

What the price does not include

  • Airport shuttle*
  • Visa fees
  • Flight
  • BCU Fees
  • Bar bills
  • Travel & Boat insurance
  • Dinner on the final night
  • Tips

Deposit Payment


Valldal Pool Drop paddling
Sjoa, Norway – D4DR WW – 2250€

Course Date:
25/8 July/August 2015 – Sjoa, Norway

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Deposit Payment 750€