Question 1

Is there anything special I should do to physically be ready?

Accepted Answer

Prior to the first day of either program, as a baseline fitness test – all students should be capable of easily hiking to the top of Baldy within 3 hours carrying a 20lb pack.
After registration, you will receive instructions on how to stretch and strengthen muscles to prepare for kayaking. You will most likely be using muscles you aren’t used to strengthening and we will walk you through how to physical prepare for the course.

Question 2

Will I learn to roll my kayak?

Accepted Answer

A major mental breakthrough for any kayaker is accepting that being upside down and swimming rapids is a normal part of the sport.
ZEN MASTERS begin our whitewater program with boat sessions in a pool. We spend time introducing the feel of being upside down in our kayaks and becoming comfortable with the “wet exit”.
Learning to roll your kayak is one of the major milestones in any kayaker’s learning curve – it is a skill that must be practiced over and over until it becomes part of your body memory.
Your roll will develop in conjunction with other paddling skills. Rolling is NOT a skill typically mastered in a short period of time, nor is it a barrier to making solid progress on the river.
Pool sessions are a weekly part of the program, both before and after being introduced to the river. With time an effort your roll will evolve.

Question 3

Where do the pool sessions take place?

Accepted Answer

ZEN MASTERS has special private access to the Zenergy pool for rolling class in the evening from 6-8.30PM. We may also start a winter/spring pool session at Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch’s outdoor hot springs pool.
*Please note: Access to the Zenergy pool for rolling is restricted to ZEN MASTERS classes only, and only with ZEN MASTER instructor Gerry Moffatt present. No access or allowance will be granted for general rolling practice onsite outside of class and no kayaks are authorized on site at Zenergy unless with ZEN MASTERS. As a standard rule, kayaks are not allowed by Zenergy in their pools, even for Zenergy members.

Question 4

What does a river day look like?

Accepted Answer

Instruction time on the water for different days will vary depending on the length of the river sections. Instruction typically begins river side no later than 10.30AM and include:
➢ morning briefing about the river section
➢ review of stroke technique
➢ overview of river reading/hazard avoidance
➢ discussion of possible rescue scenarios
We typically put on the river by noon (packed lunch on the river) and take out around 5 – 6PM.
As a group, we often decide to camp either the night before or the evening after a full day on the river, although this is not mandatory. The scheduled multi-day excursions require overnight stays however. (details supplied at registration)
ZEN MASTERS camping protocol requires each individual brings their own camping gear, pitch their own tent, and prepare their own food.

Question 5

What happens in the evenings at camp?

Accepted Answer

Relaxing by the river, preparing food, camp fire banter, a beverage and a well-deserved deep sleep under the stars!

Question 6

What is the 6-day Main Salmon River trip piece? Is this mandatory or optional?

Accepted Answer

The Main Salmon 6-day, 90-mile wilderness river trip is one of the most iconic river trips in North America. It’s a gorgeous multi-day remote river experience that has us camping on big natural sandy beaches every night, floating through remote canyons, soaking in hot springs, exploring homesteads, and seeing Idaho’s great Frank Church Wilderness – the largest stretch of wilderness in the lower 48. It’s also 90 miles of fun Class II – III whitewater and a perfect graduation celebration for ZEN MASTERS students.
Most ZEN MASTERS will be proficient enough at the end of the course to kayak all of the 90 miles in their own boats. Gerry Moffatt, along with assistant instructors and safety boaters, will continue to lead and instruct every day. For Zen Masters students this “authentic adventure” presents an ideal opportunity to consolidate and enjoy hard won skills with family and freinds.
Thunder Dragon operates a private departure fully supported by our partner outfitter Wilderness River Outfitters. The only participants will be those invited by Thunder Dragon, including current ZEN MASTERS kayak students and, if space permits significant others. WRO’s experienced crew will support the group with gear and oar rafts, full camping gear and gear support, and delicious meals all day long.
The Main Salmon trip is designed to be part of the ZEN MASTERS whitewater program, but recognizing the cost associated with that week, it is NOT mandatory.
If your budget or schedule doesn’t allow you to join us for this trip, please know you can still do the 4-week core program, have a fabulous learning experience and sign up for the following year.

ZEN MASTERS™

Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL FAQs

Is ZEN MASTERS right for me? How much prior experience or skill do I need?

What will be expected of me as a student?

How physically fit do I need to be?

What is the average age of students in ZEN MASTERS

What is included in the tuition?

What equipment do I need?

Can I just rent equipment for the program?

What is the instructor to student ratio?

Is the program classroom-based or out in the field?

How is travel handled for classwork on the mountain or rivers?

How safe will I be on the mountain or on the river?

Do I need special insurance?

What exactly is the “spiritual” part of this program?

What if I have to miss a day?

How do I sign up?

What is your cancellation policy after I’ve enrolled?

WINTER BACKCOUNTRY PROGRAM FAQs

Is there anything special I should do to physically be ready?

Do I get technical certification?

How steep is the terrain that we get to ski?

What does a backcountry ski day look like?

When do we do our backcountry ski days?

Where do we go on our backcountry tour days?

How steep is the terrain we will ski?

How do you decide where we will ski every week and if it’s safe?

What does the overnight winter camping expedition involve and do I need special equipment ?

SPRING/SUMMER WHITEWATER PROGAM FAQs

Is there anything special I should do to physically be ready?

Will I learn to roll my kayak?

Where do the pool sessions take place?

What does a river day look like?

What happens in the evenings at camp?

What is the 6-day Main Salmon River trip piece? Is this mandatory or optional?