Introduction to Big Canoe Paddler Skills

General Learning Outcome

Participants who complete the course should be comfortable working as a team, follow the basic commands, propel the canoe forward, stop, pivot, turns, docking, and switching sides. Participants will be familiar with the bow and middle positions. Participants will also be comfortable with self rescues and demonstrate safe paddling practices and etiquette.

Prerequisites

None.

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. If taught on a lake 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. Participants should leave the course energized to continue their learning to advance their skill and knowledge.

Skills and Manoeuvres

Participants will demonstrate the following manoeuvres using the appropriate paddle strokes learned during the course. Participants will follow the Intermediate Big Canoe course layout.

The following strokes will be used:

• Forward
• Reverse
• Draw
• Static Low Brace
• Check/stop
• Deep Brace

Moving a Big Canoe

Participants will demonstrate how to safely lift and carry a big canoe from the trailer/rack to the shoreline.

Launching

Participants will enter the canoe one at a time, slowly move to their assigned seat while keeping their centre of gravity low and hanging onto their paddle.

Landing

Participants will exit the canoe one at a time, keeping their centre of gravity low and hanging onto their paddler.

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 four (4) buoy slalom course layout.

Docking

Participants will demonstrate proper cadence and stroke technique in docking.

Knowledge

Specific skills and knowledge are required to paddle big canoes.

Big Canoes

Participants will discuss:

• the differences in what makes the big canoes different from the other canoes (for example, physical features, manoeuvrability, response time, and stability),
• working as a crew/team, balance and trim, and
• paddler placement and roles.

Canoe Equipment and Care

Participants will discuss the following:

• basic parts of the canoe (bow, stern, gunwales, thwarts, centre-line or keel-line, hull), and
• proper basic care and use of paddles, lifejackets/PFDs, the canoe.

Risk Management

Lifejacket Policy - Always Wear It!

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

General

Participants will discuss the following:

• how to safely move and launch a big canoe,
• listening to the Leader and their paddling and safety commands,
• safety requirements (Transport Canada and Paddle Canada requirements),
• recommended personal equipment,
• when to go and when not to go, and
• weather hazards including lightning protocol.

Self-Rescue

Participants will flip and re-enter into the big canoe.