Paddle Canada Manuals

Intermediate Big Canoe Coastal Instructor (Endorsement)

This course certifies the Big Canoe Intermediate Coastal Instructor to teach the Coastal endorsement course. Emphasis is placed on commanding a crew, boat control and rescues in coastal environments.

Discipline: Canoeing Stream: Instructor Trainers

This is a mentorship opportunity on at least one Intermediate Big Canoe Coastal Leader course.

Mandate of the Intermediate Big Canoe Coastal Instructor

The Big Canoe Intermediate Coastal Instructor is certified to conduct Intermediate Big Canoe Coastal Leader endorsement courses to Big Canoe Leaders and to certify them at that level.

Prerequisites

Age

At least 18 years of age.

Membership

Current Paddle Canada membership and Provincial/Territorial membership (as required).

Skills Certification

Intermediate Big Canoe Leader Skills

Intermediate Big Canoe Coastal Leader (Endorsement)

Instructor Certification

Intermediate Big Canoe Instructor

Coastal Canoeing Instructor or Sea Kayak Instructor Level-1 certification recommended.

Teaching Experience

Taught at least three Big Canoe Leader courses.

Paddling Experience

Extensive experience paddling a big canoe.

A minimum of ten clinics or events on the coastal water they will be teaching on (ideally with different groups of people).

Practice and experience in rescuing in the coastal water conditions they intend to paddle in.

Other Recommended Training

None.

Minimum Course Length

16 hours minimum.

Recommend one day for skill evaluation.

Mentorship on Intermediate Big Canoe Coastal Leader (Endorsement).

Class Ratio

1 instructors:10 participants

Minimum Staff and Certification

One Intermediate Big Canoe Coastal Canoeing Instructor Trainer.

Course Location

Sheltered waters with easy landing options. No open crossings. An example would be a harbour open at one side. Some refracted swell and / or small breaking waves can be present.

Environmental Conditions

Light wind (0-11 knots) Sea state calm to light chop.

Participant Assessment

Activities focus on making good judgments in coastal environments, that is, the ability to relate the ability and desires of the group in relation to the actual or forecasted coastal conditions. Participants will also be assessed on their ability to contribute to the effective management of simple but challenging rescue situations. Successful participants must be able to effectively command and control the big canoe in moderate wind, swell, waves, current and surf.

Participants should leave the course confident in their ability to command and paddle a big canoe in moderately exposed coastlines with others of similar ability but have an awareness of their individual limitations.

Teaching Resource

See Teaching Notes and Resources for Big Canoe Courses for more details and resources.

Published: February 20, 2025 Last updated: April 30, 2026