Paddle Canada Manuals

Moving Water Big Canoe Beginner Leader (Endorsement)

This course follows the Paddle Canada Moving Water program using the big canoe versus a tandem canoe. As such, the Moving Water program has prerequisites to its levels and does not attempt to “re-teach” the skills and theory of that program but only to review those elements in the context of a big canoe within a river setting.

Discipline: Canoeing Stream: Skills Development

Instructors can and are encouraged to utilize more time than the required minimum to assist the participant in achieving the outcomes of each level.

Prerequisites

Age

At least 16 years of age.

Skills Certification

Introduction to Moving Water Tandem or comparable skills and experience at the discretion of course instructor.

Intermediate Big Canoe Leader

Paddling Experience

Experience in big canoe in a river environment.

Other Recommended Training

None.

Minimum Course Length

8 hours minimum.

Class Ratio

1 instructor:12 students (based on size of big canoe).

Minimum Staff and Certification

One Big Canoe Moving Water (Flatwater) Instructor.

Course Location

Class I rivers that are slow, less than 6 km/hr with limited to no hazards, with a minimum depth of one (1) metre.

Participant Assessment

Activities focus on safety and comfortable paddling on a river. Successful participants must be able to identify appropriate paddling locations suitable to their level. Activity should concentrate on progress, teamwork and an awareness of the need for future learning. Paddlers should leave the course encouraged to continue their learning and be aware of their individual limitations.

Teaching Resource

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

Skills and Manoeuvres

All manoeuvres shall be demonstrated while paddling on a river. Manoeuvres including forward ferries, pivot turns, side slipping, back ferries, eddy exits and eddy entries.

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