Intermediate Big Canoe Paddler Skills

General Learning Outcome

Participants will improve their cadence as a crew member and perform bow strokes to assist with manoeuvres. Participants will expand their understanding of safe paddling practices and self-rescue in a Big Canoe.

Prerequisites

Skills Certification

Introduction to Big Canoe Paddler Skills or comparable skills and experience at the discretion of course instructor.

Minimum Course Length

4 hours minimum.

Class Ratio

1 instructor:12 participants

Minimum Staff and Certification

One Intermediate Big Canoe Instructor

Environmental Conditions

Courses should be taught on a pond, lake or ocean front. There should be minimal to no waves (class 0, < 16 km/hr). The designated area must be free of powerboat traffic and no more than 25-50 metres from shore (depending on depth).

Participant Assessment

Assessment is done throughout the course on participants comfort, working as a crew member for: cadence of strokes, following commands, switching sides, and self-rescue. The intermediate course layout will be used for the final assessment. Participants should leave the course energized to continue their learning to advance their skill and knowledge.

Skills and Manoeuvres

Participants will demonstrate the Intro Paddlers manoeuvres using the inside tilts and bow assisted strokes where appropriate while using the Intermediate Big Canoe course layout.

The following strokes will be used:

• Pry
• Inline Sculling Draw
• Bow Cut
• Crossbow Cut
• Jam

Pivots

Participants will demonstrate proper cadence and stroke technique in pivoting the canoe 180 degrees.

Forward and Reverse Straight Line Paddling

Participants will demonstrate proper cadence and stroke technique in paddling forward 50 metres and reverse for 25 metres.

Turns under power

Participants will demonstrate proper cadence and stroke technique in paddling wide to tighter turns under power.

Slalom Course

Participants will demonstrate proper cadence and stroke technique paddling through a 4 buoy slalom course layout.

Docking

Participants will demonstrate proper cadence and stroke technique in docking.

Shift (running side slip)

The participants will shift the canoe laterally approximately two canoe widths while maintaining forward momentum and remaining parallel in the direction of travel. Timing of stroke placement is critical as to limit yaw.

Knowledge

Canoe Equipment and Care

Participants will discuss:

• crew placement and their roles, and
• outfitting ideas for comfort and ease of retrieval for hydration, food, and foul weather clothing.

Risk Management

Lifejacket Policy - Always Wear It!

Participants will demonstrate how to properly choose, wear and secure a lifejacket.

Gear

Participants will discuss proper storage of personal gear and proper storage of group and safety gear.

Self-Rescue

Participants will flip and re-entry into the big canoe with a re-entry stirrup.