This class is just the beginning. The goal of this class is to build a foundation for safe boating. All of you are members of a great local canoe club. Canoe clubs provide numerous benefits like free or inexpensive training, a large schedule of trips throughout the year, and a roster of club members to plan trips with. In the Baltimore/Washington area, we have lots of special events like races (both slalom and downriver), play boat rodeos, and whitewater festivals. We also have a wide variety of commercial outfits that provide excellent instruction as well as the local Dickerson course sponsored by the Bethesda Center for Excellence. Take advantage of these resources and get lots of seat time in your boat. Whatever you do, don't try to climb the whitewater river classes scale as fast as you can. Take your time developing solid skills before tackling the harder runs. This will make your boating hobby far more enjoyable and help you in avoiding injuries. Just remember this sport is supposed to be fun, not work. If you are looking for another great course to take, I highly recommend first aid & CPR as well as ACA boating skills classes.