Introduction to Coastal Canoeing Skills

The skills and knowledge gained at this level form the foundation necessary for confident and safe travel in more dynamic coastal environments later in the program. Rescue techniques at this level revisit assisted rescues taught in the Introduction to Lake Tandem course but are performed in a coastal environment.

General Learning Outcome

The successful participant is considered a beginner tandem coastal canoeist, capable of performing a variety of rescues and manoeuvres in sheltered coastal conditions and selecting appropriate locations consistent with Introductory Coastal Canoeing conditions. The introduction of tidal prediction, marine forecasting and navigation with nautical charts occurs at this level. However, the focus is on the selection of appropriate coastal locations and conditions for a beginner coastal canoeist.

Prerequisites

Skills Certification

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

Minimum Course Length

8 hours (1 day) minimum.

Class Ratio

1 instructor: 9 students (1 instructor canoe: 4 student canoes).

Minimum Staff and Certification

One Introduction to Coastal Canoeing Instructor

Location

Enclosed and sheltered with easy landing options immediately present. No open crossings. An example would be a coastal estuary without appreciable tidal current.

Environmental Conditions

Wind calm (< 8 knots) Sea state calm to rippled.

Participant Assessment

Activities focus on safety and comfortable paddling along a calm shoreline. Successful participants must be able to identify appropriate paddling locations in coastal environments suitable to their level. Participants will be familiar with what the colors on a nautical chart represent and some basic symbols. They will also understand the differences between marine and land forecasting. 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.

Skills and Manoeuvres

All manoeuvres from the Introduction to Tandem Lake will be demonstrated while paddling along a coastline in both the bow and stern positions, and with the assistance of a partner. Manoeuvres will be demonstrated in “real life” situations along a coastline.

The participant will perform the following strokes at the appropriate times when paddling along a coastline. Proper paddle grip, stroke mechanics, and modest power and efficiency are to be demonstrated.

• Forward and Reverse
• Draw and Push Away
• Deep Brace
• Sculling Low Brace
• J Stroke or Stern Pry
• Stern Draw

Lifting and Carrying a Canoe

While in pairs, participants will demonstrate the safe and proper way to lift and carry a canoe, suitcase style or overhead depending on the physical ability of the paddlers.

Launching and Landing a Canoe

The participants will demonstrate safely and carefully launching and removing a canoe at a shoreline and/or a dock.

Pivot Turn

The participants will pivot the canoe one complete rotation in one direction, and then one complete another pivot in the opposite direction.

Side-slipping (Sideward Displacement)

Paddlers will side-slip the canoe laterally.

Straight Line (Forward and Reverse)

The participants will paddle forward in a relatively straight line and demonstrate how to back up the canoe.

Stopping

The participants will be able to demonstrate how to stop the canoe in any direction of travel.

Circles

Participants will demonstrate paddling in a circle at a moderate and consistent pace.

Turns

Participants will demonstrate arcing turns under power.

Stabilizing a Canoe

Paddlers will be able to demonstrate stabilizing a canoe on shore, stationary and under momentum.

Changing Positions

Paddlers will demonstrate changing positions in any way they feel most comfortable. The easiest and safest way to change positions is to go to shore or to raft up. If paddlers wish to change position while on water, they can demonstrate this by rafting up or alone. Paddlers will also choose from carefully passing over their partner or beside their partner. Communication is critical to ensure that both paddlers know what to do.

Transport of Canoe Equipment

Depending on the client's needs, a discussion or demonstration of lifting a canoe on and off a rack will be done as well as methods for securing them with straps or rope.

Knowledge

Personal Equipment for Coastal Day Paddling (Waterproofing)

The participants will show up for the coastal paddle portion of the course with appropriate personal gear appropriate for a coastal day trip. This would include, where appropriate, cold water immersion gear such as a wet suit and proper waterproofing of personal gear, protected incase of capsize or inclement weather.

Canoe Lifts and Carries

In a safe and controlled manner (with the assistance of a partner if necessary) the participant must demonstrate safe transportation of a canoe from vehicle to water and back safely by any means.

Navigating Shoreline

The participant will describe the pros and cons of topographical maps and nautical charts and what the colors on a nautical chart represent. The candidate will also describe egress routes such as hiking trails in case of adverse conditions.

Choosing a Safe Environment

The participant must identify on a nautical chart several safe locations for introductory Coastal Canoeing. The nautical chart must include both enclosed coastal areas and exposed coastal areas. The candidate must also explain why other areas not selected are not suitable for introductory coastal canoeing (as an example clapotis, cross seas, fetch, wind against tide, boomers, swell or strong current).

Day Trip Planning and Recap: Paddling in a Group (lead and sweep)

The participant will demonstrate appropriate use of lead and sweep boats and spacing of canoes in relation to a coastal canoe day trip

The participant will participate in group communication events such as departure briefings and follow appropriate group management techniques such as lead and sweep boats. The participant will participate in the filing of a float plan (emergency contacts, destination, anticipated time of return, group participants and description of equipment).

Course Limitations

The participant will describe what additional skills are required to paddle areas with greater exposure / hazards.

Additional Courses

The participant will, through their description of the course limitations, demonstrate that Intermediate and Advanced Coastal Canoeing courses have outcomes related directly to canoe travel in areas with greater exposure and more challenging environmental hazards. An example would be recognizing that beaches exposed to open swell could have surf and that surf landing skills are covered in the Advanced Coastal Canoeing Program.

Resources

The participant will be aware of Paddle Canada, provincial/territorial regional member associations, national and provincial parks, conservation authorities, canoeing and kayaking schools, private camps and clubs that pertain to canoeing and kayaking. The candidate will also be aware of additional reference material such as canoe/sea kayaking instruction books and videos, Internet websites and more experienced paddlers.

Local Paddling Clubs or Groups

The candidate will be made aware of local paddling clubs or groups and understand their relevance as a valuable resource of local knowledge.

Paddling Etiquette

The candidate must demonstrate consistent practice of proper paddling etiquette where necessary (for example, not leaving a paddle underfoot to cause injury, remaining with the group while underway on the water, etc.).

Leave No Trace (in relationship to day paddling)

The candidate will demonstrate application of the seven Leave No Trace Principles as appropriate in coastal environments.

Canoe and Indigenous Peoples

The participant will discuss the concept that indigenous peoples of Canada on all coasts utilized canoes for coastal canoe travel as part of their regular patterns of life.

Canoe Tour

The participants will accompany the instructor on a minimum 3 hour coastal canoe paddle, as per the conditions of the level. During the tour, the candidate will demonstrate introductory level strokes and manoeuvres and consistent contribution of safe and co-operative coastal paddling, including keeping pace with the group.

Risk Management

Water, Wind, Waves and Weather

The participant will access a professional land and marine forecast and describe the differences and value in each.

Tides

The participant will determine times of high and low water.

Navigation

The participant will describe the advantages and disadvantages of nautical charts vs. topographic maps and what the colors on a nautical chart represent. The candidate will identify potential egress routes (hiking trails etc.) in the event of unfavorable conditions.

Hypothermia

The participant will describe the signs, symptoms, treatment and prevention of hypothermia and describe the individual elements of the 1:10:1 rule (1 minute gasp reflex in cold water, 10 minutes to lose strength, 1 hour to become hypothermic).

Personal Preparation

The participant will describe how wet suits and dry suits work to insulate the body and the importance of various personal items to be packed on a coastal canoe day trip. The participant will show up for the trip portion of the course with appropriate personal clothing and equipment.

Safe Canoe Procedures

The participant will demonstrate safe and efficient ways of handling equipment and interacting with fellow paddlers. They must have knowledge of safety principles and understand the importance of safety while canoeing.

The participant must demonstrate the following canoeing guidelines:

1. Lead and sweep positions
2. Keep your weight low in the canoe
3. Avoid sudden or unannounced movements
4. Cooperate with your partner
5. Canoe in daylight
6. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back
7. Stay with your canoe if it swamps
8. Avoid locations with fast moving currents
9. Employ safe loading and unloading procedures
10. Have an extra paddle and safety equipment
11. Get off water if lightning is close
12. Plan for the unexpected

Rescues

The following rescue techniques are to be performed in controlled coastal environments: that is, calm coastal water (for example, not swimming pools or coastal environments with significant wave action), proper clothing, close to shore and with assistance of a partner.

Canoe over Canoe

The participant will perform canoe over canoe rescues in the roles of both swimmer and rescuer. The candidate must show confidence during the exercise, maintain physical contact with the boat and demonstrate effective communication with other paddlers (for example, paddling partner and rescue boat).

Canoe Towing Rescues

The participant will successfully perform at least one canoe tow rescue. The candidate will approach an un-swamped canoe, secure the canoe to the rescue boat using a quick-release system and tow the canoe 50 meters. The victims can apply resistance using paddles to simulate windy conditions.

Note: this exercise is meant to simulate assisting canoe paddlers that are having trouble making headway as a result of injury, illness, strong wind or current.