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Zoar Outdoor Paddling School
7 Main St., Box 245
Charlemont, MA 01339
Toll-Free: (800) 532-7483
Phone: (413) 339-4010
Fax: (413) 337-8436
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Whitewater Rafting Trips | Canoe and Kayak Clinics | Rock Climbing Clinics | Self-Guided Trips | The Outfitters Shop
Welcome to our latest adventure - on the Web! Our Whitewater Raft Trips, Canoe and Kayak Clinics, Rock Climbing Clinics, and Outfitters Shop are located in the pristine Deerfield River valley of western Massachusetts. Our friendly, professional staff, comfortable and convenient riverside facilities, and state-of-the-art equipment make us the choice for outdoor adventure.

Whether you're an individual, a family, or a company, church,YMCA, scout, or school group, let us lead you on a great adventure in the outdoors this year!


Whitewater Rafting Trips

Whitewater Rafting with Zoar Outdoor When you choose to raft a whitewater river with Zoar Outdoor we do much more than simply put you on the river with the proper gear. Our highly trained professional guides point out historic and natural features along the way while helping you enjoy your trip. Our lunches are made on premises and feature homemade rolls, desserts, and salads to accommodate any tastes or dietary restrictions.

Our facilities include hot showers, an open-air pavilion for registration and slide shows, and 80 acres of wilderness camping and hiking trails. Let us lead you on one of our five outstanding whitewater trips this year and show you how much more there can be to rafting!

Our Most Popular Trip: Zoar Gap
Take your family, office, church, or scout group on the Deerfield River's Zoar Gap. The class II and III rapids are ideal for beginner and intermediate rafters and the unspoiled valley creates the perfect setting for wilderness adventure!
Cost: Weekdays - $73.00 adults, $58.00 children under 16
Weekends - $77.00 adults, $62.00 children under 16
April 15 - May 26 Discount: $58.00 adults, $48.00 children under 16
One person rafts free for every 11 paid guests.
Minimum age: 7

Experience the Intensity of the Dryway
If you're looking for the intensity of class IV rafting close to home, the Dryway is your trip! Price includes a barbeque lunch after the trip.
Cost: $93.00
One person rafts free for every 17 paid guests.
Minimum age: 14

Spring High Water on the Millers River
When the spring thaw turns New England rivers into a torrent, the Millers River in western Massachusetts cranks with class III and IV rapids that feature mile-long drops with big rolling waves.
Cost: $72.00
2 raft for the price of one all Spring 2000 on the Millers!
Minimum age: 12

Vermont's Finest River: The West
The class III and IV rapids of the West River near Stratton, Vermont are one of the state's hidden treasures.
Cost: Spring $92.00
Fall $95.00
One person rafts free for every 11 paid guests.
Minimum age: 12

Bulls Bridge - Spring Rafting on Connecticut's Most Dramatic Gorge
Challenge the class III-IV Bulls Bridge section of the Housatonic River in northwestern Connecticut for the ultimate spring whitewater experience.
Cost: $85.00
One person rafts free for every 11 paid guests.
Minimum age: 14

Float Trips on the Lower Deerfield River
This half-day guided float trip highlights the beauty of the lower Deerfield River as it meanders through farmland and the rolling Berkshire foothills along the historic Mohawk Trail.
Cost: $50.00 adults, $35.00 children under 16
Minimum age: 5


Canoe and Kayak School

Canoeing and Kayaking Clinics and Instruction
  • Directed by Bruce Lessels, former World Whitewater Champion and author of the Whitewater Handbook and the Classic Northeastern Whitewater Guide.
  • Outstanding ACA-Certified instructors with an infectious love for the sport.
  • Convenient location on the most popular summer whitewater in New England.
  • Maximum student-to-instructor ratio of 4:1 means we tailor your clinic to your needs.
  • Well-maintained fleet of the latest Perception, Dagger, Necky, Mad River, Pyranha, Riot, and Prijon kayaks and canoes.
  • Comfortable classroom with video viewing equipment and a private meeting space.

5-Day Intensive Novice Kayak Clinic
This is the perfect course for those who want to get all the way into kayaking in one fell swoop! To take this course you should be in good physical condition and have an aggressive attitude toward learning sports.
Cost: $510.00

Novice I Kayak or Canoe Clinics
Two-day and three-day Novice I clinics provide an introduction to canoeing or kayaking and a solid base from which to move into more advanced paddling. Starting in the secure learning environment of a pond, we progress gradually to moving water and finally to class II whitewater. We emphasize fun on the river while teaching proper stroke techniques and responsible whitewater practices.

Novice II Kayak Clinics
Two-day and three-day Novice II clinics pick up where Novice I clinics leave off. These clinics are designed for kayakers who have had some previous instruction, but still need more work to perfect the basic strokes and maneuvers. We will work on flatwater to refine technique as well as gaining more river running experience on class II whitewater.

Intermediate Clinics
Designed for kayakers or canoeists who are comfortable on class II water and have an understanding of the basic strokes and river moves, our intermediate clinics help you advance to the next level of the sport.


Cost for Novice I, Novice II and Intermediate Clinics:
2-day midweek $220.00 weekend $245.00
3-day midweek $325.00 weekend $350.00

We also run special clinics throughout the summer such as a River Rescue Workshops, Kids Kayak Craze, and Intro to Playboating and Rodeo Clinics.


Rock Climbing Clinics

Rock Climbing  in the Berkshires, Massachusetts See the rugged northern Berkshires from a new perspective! Challenge and safety characterize our approach to this exciting lifetime sport. Our location, within a short drive of several excellent climbing areas, assures lots of time on the rock. Low student-to-instructor ratios provide maximum learning and enjoyment for all students.

Our one- and two-day Novice Clinics (cost: $210.00 for 2 weekend days, $190.00 for 2 midweek days, $110.00 for 1 weekend day) teach basic skills needed for top-roping or seconding climbs behind a more experienced leader.

Our one- and two-day Intermediate Climbing Clinics (cost: $210.00 for 2 weekend days, $190.00 for 2 midweek days) are designed for climbers with a knowledge of basic rope handling and rock movement skills. Climbers with more previous experience may choose to focus on special topics such as multi-pitch climbing, big wall techniques or vertical rescue.


Self-Guided Trips

Sit-on-Top Kayak Rentals
Kayaking down the Deerfield river is a great way to see the Berkshires and to spend a warm summer day outside and active! After an instructional briefing, you're paddling down class I and II rapids on your own sit-on-top kayak. As captain of your own boat, you determine where to run each rapid, when to stop and swim, and how quickly you move downstream. These boats are easy to paddle and very stable, making them a great way to get a taste of whitewater kayaking with mimimal instruction.
Cost: $32.00 per person + tax
Minimum age: 10

Canoe Rentals
Spend an afternoon on the Deerfield River and discover how relaxing a leisurely float along the Mohawk Trail can be. We rent open canoes on the Deefield River through Charlemont.
Cost: $45.00 per boat + tax (2 adults or 2 adults and a small child per boat)
Minimum age: 5


The Outfitters Shop

On the way to the Deerfield to paddle, stop by our newly expanded riverside Outfitter's Shop, or e-mail us for more information. Take advantage of our years of paddling expertise to shop at the most convenient, knowledgeable whitewater shop around. We offer a full lineup of Dagger, Perception, Mad River, Pyrhana, Necky, Riot, and Prijon kayaks and canoes, as well as accessories. Any boat model we have in stock can be paddled on the Deerfield River in front of our shop, and several times each year we host Demo Days at Zoar Gap and the Dryway where you can get on real whitewater in the boat you want to buy.

For more information send a message to Zoar Outdoor Paddling School.

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Page last updated: June 27, 2000.
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