Aha! Adventure - Southern Alberta Canoe Fiesta
4-day canoeing program for intermediate to experienced paddlers

Location: Based out of the Crowsnest River area

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Dates: May 30- June 2, 2026

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Cost: $675 plus gst

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Refresh and develop your canoe skills to get ready for your canoe adventures this summer! You will practice eddy turns and forward ferries to help you feel in control of your canoe so that you can put it where you want in the river when it counts!  It is the perfect program to celebrate the ice off and get ready for the canoe season.  We will be car camping and doing day trips which may include stretches of the Crowsnest River, Castle River and St Mary’s River.

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This is a proposed plan for the program and it is subject to change due to water levels, fire, smoke and weather.

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Most of our Aha! Adventure trips are "community catered".  All participants and guides take their turn providing and cooking breakfasts and suppers on the trips. Everyone looks after their own lunches and snacks. This is a fun way to share, try new meals and learn how to bake and cook in the backcountry. Instructors will help at every meal and give you lots of assistance! 

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Prerequisites: You need to feel comfortable on class 1+ and be able to do eddy turns and ferries. You could take our beginner canoe program in early May to get ready for this course. If you are unsure of your skills, give me a call or email at ang@yfbc.ca

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Cancellation Policy:  A $150 non-refundable deposit is required to register. The balance is due 15 days before the trip start date. No refunds on or after this date. We recommend trip cancellation insurance.

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Itinerary:

May 30: We will meet at our designated camping area (TBA) in southern Alberta close to the rivers we will be paddling.  We will plan to meet by 12 noon and we can set up camp.  In the afternoon we will head to a local lake to learn, practice and refine our canoe strokes.

May 31: We will spend our day on a section of the Crowsnest River and we will have lots of time for learning and practicing eddy turns, forward ferries as we work our way down the river.

June 1:  We will do a stretch on the Castle or on the St Mary’s.

June 2: We will finish up with a paddle on the harder stretch of the Crowsnest and then home.

 

Cost Includes:

• Safety equipment (throwbags, first aid kit, emergency communication)

• Group camping gear (tarp/shelter etc.)

• Group cooking equipment (pots, stoves, utensils, fuel)

• Experienced and qualified guides

• All canoe gear (canoes, paddles, pfd's, helmets)

 

You need to provide:

• Your own lunches (4) and snacks and assigned group meals

• Wetsuit or drysuit- the water is cold in June and with learning you have a good chance of swimming during the course!

• Shell jacket/paddling jacket

• Neoprene booties or neoprene socks with sport sandals/running shoes

• Neoprene gloves

• Lots of layers and extra warm clothes

• Personal camping gear, tent

 

Transportation Details:

You are welcome to come in the van from Calgary or you can meet us at the campsite and drive on your own.  Please let us know what you plan to do.

 

Medical Form and Waiver:

In order to participate in this course, you are required to sign your online registration. You will also need to fill out the online medical form.

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Aha! Adventures and the Youth Farm Bible Camp are not-for profit.  Any profits of our Aha! Adult Trips are invested back into our programs and go towards our youth programs to getting more youth into the wilderness.  Thanks for supporting us!

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