Paddle Canada National Canoeing Program
Learn about the only national canoeing skills development program that introduces the canoe to beginners and takes advanced paddlers to a whole new level.
The Paddle Canada Program Manuals Philosophy
The Paddle Canada Program Manuals describe the criteria and standards for measuring a participant or candidate’s abilities within each stream and level.
These are not how-to manuals, nor do they tell you how to develop, organize, and administer a course. These aspects of paddling instruction, course progression, and administration are taught in the Paddle Canada instructor levels and available through other resources. In other words, these manuals tells instructors what to teach; not how to teach it as we feel the requirements of the students and the circumstances of the moment dictate the appropriate teaching methods.
Many test items in each level describe what the boat/board and/or paddler must do but make no reference to what strokes are to be used for the manoeuvre. This does not mean that the strokes are unimportant but gives the paddler the choice of what stroke to use for any manoeuvre. It is expected that, as a part of all courses, proper stroke mechanics will be demonstrated and taught as required.
Key Policies for New Instructors
New instructors should take note of these key policies before running your first course or clinic. All instructors must make themselves familiar with our complete list of policies as well.
Assessment Guidelines for Skill Courses
Learn how to apply the pass, weak, or fail evaluation system on skills courses including the use of conditional passes.
Course Administration Policies
Learn about the various policies and requirements related to course registration and reporting.
Code of Conduct for Instructors and Volunteers
Learn about the code of conduct, developed to foster a safe, inclusive, and healthy paddling environments for all course participants and instructors.
First Aid Certification Requirements and Standards
Learn about the first aid certification requirements that all Paddle Canada Instructors must meet and keep up-to-date.
Intoxicants Policy
Learn about your responsibilities related to Paddle Canada's Intoxicants Policy.
Paddle Canada Accident Policies
Learn about your responsibilities in the event of an accident on a Paddle Canada course.
Policies and Definitions Pertaining to Course Roles
Learn about the various course roles in skills, instructor and instructor trainer courses.
Acknowledgement of the Cultural Foundations of Paddling
Paddle Canada is a community of trusted leaders that inspires connections to Canadians and nature through paddling. The bind that ties us all, the paddle, and the craft that it propels (the canoe, kayak, and stand-up board) are not ours to claim.
We acknowledge and respect the cultural traditions of the First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people on whose land and waters we live, learn, play, and earn.
We stand as allies to the owners of this land we call Canada, and we respectfully acknowledge how we came into the privilege to be here.