Course Overview

Slalom Kayak and Canoe Week

Slalom teaches you how to kayak and canoe in ways you might not have thought possible before. You will learn how to keep momentum while crossing mid-river eddies, ideal paddle stroke placement, and more!

At MKC we have a 20 gate course hanging on Chalet Rapids, plus 6 flat water gates. We also have a fleet of Slalom kayaks, including a C-1 to jump into. Our experienced slalom coaches will help your paddling skills soar!

Who is this Course for?

Intermediate level kayakers and canoeists who have experience maneuvering in whitewater.

Itinerary

Course Location

The Middle Madawaska River was chosen as the site for MKC in 1969 due to it’s great quality rapids particularly for slalom! Our slalom course on Chalet Rapid, which is just down the hill from the MKC chalet, has hosted many slalom championships over our half century of business.

 

  

Cost

Instruction Fee

$1225

Accommodation + Meals

From $200-$925. See below for various accommodation & meal packages

Rental Package

$425-$475 (for boat, paddle, helmet, life jacket). Individual items also available to rent

Accommodation + Meal Packages

Cozy Lodge rooms, off-the-grid Cabanas, budget-friendly Dorms or wooded Campsites. Our Wilderness Resort offers something for everyone.

Shared Lodge Plan* | $925

Our rustic Lodge rooms have everything you need! Choose either a queen bed or 2 twin beds. Rooms are at ground level with nearby washroom facilities (en suite not available). Meals included.

Shared Cabana Plan* | $925

Enjoy our off-the-grid Cabanas tucked in the woods! Choose either a queen bed or 2 twin beds. Washroom facilities are a short walk away. Meals included. No electricity.

Shared Glamping Plan* | $925

Come glamp in MKC's forest! Our newest accommodation options are cozy, comfortable, canvas tents. Two twin beds with bedding can be converted into a single queen bed. Washroom facilities are a short walk away. Meals included. No electricity.

Dormitory Plan* | $775

Dorm room accommodation sleep up to six per room. Dorms are on the second floor with nearby washroom facilities. Meals included. Bring your own bedding.

Camping Plan | $700

MKC's wooded campsites are great for tents, trailers and campervans. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, onsite parking, and access to nearby washroom facilities. Meals included. No electricity.

Camping No Meals | $200

MKC's wooded campsites are great for tents, trailers and campervans. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, onsite parking, and access to nearby washroom facilities. Bring your own camping and cooking equipment to enjoy meals at your site. Dishwashing station available. No electricity.

Check In

The evening before your course between 7 & 10pm

Check Out

Friday at 7pm

*For those booking for one for Glamping, Cabana, Lodge or Dorm: it is likely you will stay with other students of the same gender. As a wilderness resort we have chosen to not expand too far into our surrounding forest and therefore have limited indoor accommodations. To book a private room as an individual is an additional cost

About our Meals

We take pride in serving healthy, hearty and delicious meals. As a proud member of FeastON, we source locally when possible and add our special touch with herbs and edible flowers from our own garden. Meals start with breakfast the first day of the course and include: 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners plus an après-paddling snack. Coffee, tea and juice are complimentary. BYOB.

Locally roasted specialty coffee and homemade snacks can be purchased from our Riverside Shop & Café.

   

Group Discounts

We welcome groups of 4 or more at a discounted rate (conditions apply)

What do folks think of Slalom Week?

I learned how to look at the water and improve my techniques--or at least how to work on improving--because of this course. It is very valuable and I will continue to learn as I practice at home. I very much enjoyed focusing on specific techniques on a challenging set of slalom gates on a friendly river.

Sue W

After years of paddling 'comfortably' and sloppily, I figured it was high time to start cleaning up my technique. I thought that slalom would be a good way to work on technique in a new and challenging way, and it proved to be exactly what I needed!

Ellen L

Sign up for Slalom Week:

July 28-August 1, 2025

Book Now

Can’t find your preferred date? Let us know and we’ll do our best to help. Contact Us.

5 Days

Week of Rivers

We want to share our favourite rivers with you during five days of kayaking or canoeing our region's best whitewater!

Intermediate
Advanced

$1400 / Per person

COURSE DETAILS
5 Days

Senior’s Week

Whitewater is for everyone! Never kayaked or canoed? Been at it for decades? Join peers for an active and relaxing vacation!

Intermediate
Advanced

$1075 / Per person

COURSE DETAILS
Weekend

Revvv Up Intermediate Kayak

Get warmed up this May long weekend for the new whitewater kayak season! This course is for intermediate kayakers who are feeling a bit nervous this Spring.

Intermediate
Advanced

$750 / Per person

COURSE DETAILS

Reviews

5 star ratingWhite water canoe course I took a 5 day tandem white water canoe course with MKC. I went from learning on flat water to running grade 3 rapids!
What an amazing experience! Wonderful place beside the river. I camped. Very good facilities and comfortable lodge to relax in with open fire. Delicious food (I had vegetarian options). The staff were lovely- from domestic staff to instructors. Everyone mixed together with the guests. I went by myself and really enjoyed everyone I met. They all had an interesting story and were there for the love of the river.
My instructor was Regan. She was superb- lovely person, very patient and adjusted her teaching to individual needs. I learned so much- thanks Regan.
Would highly recommend MKC to anyone interested in canoeing, kayaking or rafting!
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foggieparks Avatar
foggieparks
7/17/2024
5 star ratingA great time. I highly recommend MKC This was my 3rd, five day white water kayaking trip with MKC. It was another fabulous week.

I always choose the all inclusive option. I camp, but there are a number of indoor options for those who prefer that. I select the full meal plan, as I really don't want to do my own cooking before I paddle, or after a long day on the water. Don't let the young cooks worry you. (They're students working the summer months. Some of them are in culinary arts training.) The meals are better that a lot of restaurants. There's always vegetarian options at every meal. I like this because, and I like variety, and sometimes I want a change.

It doesn't matter what your skill level is, you'll have fun and will learn. On this last trip, there was a couple in their 80s, who wanted a new adventure to try out. How great is that. The instructors/guides always give positive feedback. You'll never hear you did anything wrong. (Typically, you all ready figured that out.) The guide will say something like: "Try this technique, and see how you like it." The guide will then demonstrate the technique a couple of times, and watch you trying it, while shouting encouragement to you. Plus, the rest of the people in your group will be cheering you on. When someone in the group does their first practice roll, or any combat roll, the cheers are thunderous. The grin on the person who just did the roll, says it all.

This year I was in seniors week. (I'm 73.) Virtually everyone had their own equipment. No worries if you need gear. MKC has excellent equipment, and will outfit you with everything you need, appropriate to your experience level. If you want to try a performance boat, they'll let you try one.

All in all, it's a great experience. I plan to return next year for my 4th time.

Give it a try!

Alan - Registered Maine Guide in Sea Kayaking
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Sky K Avatar
Sky K
9/08/2024
5 star ratingA great facility for an active family reunion. We are a large family (22 members) and the MKC absorbed our whole gang with
efficiency and excellent service. We had 16 family members guided for 3 days in
white water canoe skills with three amazing guides. They loved it and everyone
could maneuver white water with great skill at the end of three days.
MKC is known for the excellent food it serves and we were all super impressed with every meal served over the three full days. Thanks MKC staff for making us all feel so welcome. You made our family reunion and MOST MEMORABLE ONE. Jackie F.
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621jacquelinef Avatar
621jacquelinef
8/12/2024
Wednesday November 27th

Early bird sale.

20% OFF

KAYAK AND CANOE PROGRAMS AT MKC

Please get in touch with us prior, so we can prepare your quote in advance.

early bird sale heron

Must place deposit between 9am and 6pm EST November 27th to receive discount.

We cannot combine discounts.

March 4th - 8th 2024

10% off

5 day kayak + canoe courses

5% of all revenue from this week is donated to your choice of three organizations

We are forever grateful for the support we continually receive from our communities. To say a small thanks, we want to give back.