Moving Water Canoe Introduction Solo Skills

General Learning Outcome

The successful candidate should be able to learn to carve into and out current, tilt the canoe prior to entering and exiting current, control the shape of the arcing path and capable of performing basic shore and water-based river rescues, including self-rescue on Class I rivers.

Prerequisites

Skills Certification

Moving Water Canoe Basics or Lake Canoe Introduction Tandem (or Solo) or equivalent skills.

Minimum Course Length

16 hours minimum.

Class Ratio

1 instructor:6 participants

Minimum Staff and Certification

One Moving Water Canoe Introduction Solo Instructor.

Environmental Conditions

Flatwater progressing to Class I rivers.

Participant Assessment

Assessment is to be done on a Class I river. Activities focus on individual safety and comfortable paddling in current with emphasis placed on reading water, stability, carving, and safety awareness. Paddlers should leave the course energized to continue their learning to advance their skill and knowledge.

Learning Outcomes and Teaching Resources

See the Moving Water Canoe Introduction Resource Manual for details.

Moving Water Skills Checklists

Canoe Strokes Resource Document

Skills and Manoeuvres

Participants will demonstrate the following manoeuvres using the paddle strokes learned during the course including carving using the CAPT method.

• Forward
• Reverse
• Offside Forward
• Draw
• Stern Draw
• Pry
• Stern Pry
• Cut
• Crossbow Cut
• Bracing (forward stroke)
• Low Brace

Launching in an Eddy Pool

The participant will enter the canoe, facing upstream in an eddy pool, while keeping low centre of gravity and maintaining control of the canoe.

Landing in an Eddy Pool

The participant will land the canoe in an eddy pool facing upstream and exit while keeping a low centre of gravity and maintaining control of the canoe.

Pivots within an Eddy Pool

Participants will pivot the canoe clockwise and counter clockwise about its midpoint in order to point the bow in the desired direction prior to moving forward.

Sideslips within an Eddy Pool

Participants shall manoeuvre their canoe laterally left or right in preparation for leaving an eddy pool.

Carving Start

The participant will demonstrate accelerating from a stopped position such as an eddy. The canoe shall reach a moderate speed in three strokes. Various methods are acceptable.

Front Ferry

Participants successfully carve laterally from one side of the river to the other with the canoe facing upstream, such as moving between eddy pools. The width of the river will determine the expectations for this manoeuvre.

Eddy Exit

Participants will demonstrate carving a canoe from an eddy into the current with proper boat position, direction the bow is pointing, and the momentum to follow the arcing path into the current.

Eddy Entry

Participants will demonstrate carving a canoe from the current into the eddy with proper boat position, direction the bow is pointing, and the momentum to follow the arcing path into the current.

S-Turns

Participants will successfully execute S-turns, using two opposing arcs, linked with a transition point, to successfully place the canoe into the eddy pool at the targeted location.

Canoe Carry

A canoe carry can be performed by one or more individuals. Participants (possibly with assistance) will demonstrate a carry for a short distance either a one or two person carry.

Carving using CAPT (Flatwater Drill Set)

The 4 elements of CAPT (Cadence, Stroke Angle, Stroke Position, Tilt) should be introduced and practiced on the participant’s onside first so that they more likely will have immediate success. Once completed, practice progresses to the offside carving circle.

Navigating River Bends

Participants will successfully navigate a river bends maintaining momentum towards the inside of the river bend by selecting the appropriate strategy.

• Drive across the grain towards the inside of the bend
• Descending Back Ferry
• Eddy Entry on the Inside of the River Bend
• Front Ferry
• S-Turn from the Upstream Outside of the Bend

Knowledge

Specific knowledge is required for canoeists to paddle in the current. They build a foundation skill set that allows paddlers to achieve the manoeuvres outlined in this manual.

Controlling the Shape of the Arc with CAPT

Participants will describe the 3 components used for controlling the shape of the arc. Direction the Boat is Pointing, Boat Position, and Momentum of the Boat, are used to successfully control the shape of the arc during lateral manoeuvres.

River Hazards

Participants will identify and/or discuss the following, but limited to, river hazards that are applicable to their paddling environment. Hydraulics/low head dams, pillows, river bend, obstacles (for example, gravel bars, rocks, bridge piers, trees, undercuts, water temperature and weather).

River Anatomy

Participants will identify the following river features. Current, current line, eddy/pool line, eddy pool, eddy wedge, grain of the current, river bends, river right, river left, wave and standing waves.

Balance and Stability

Participants will discuss the importance of keeping the canoe stable. Stability is increased and maintained by several specific skills. Kneeling vs sitting, independent upper and lower body to achieve boat tilt, J-Tilt with the paddler's body centred over the canoe, applying knee pressure against the knee pads (if available) provides a connection to the movement of the hull, forward stroke provides momentum and stability, and an active paddle provides control and stability.

Reading the Current

Participants will demonstrate their knowledge of reading river current features throughout the course. Using visual clues such as water colour and texture assist with identifying the current, eddies, eddy wedge, deep water waves and shallow water waves.

Environmental Impact

Participants will understand the impact of canoeing on the environment.

Canoe History (local or national) and Resources

Participants will demonstrate their knowledge of the history of the canoe and resources that will help expand their skills.

Canoe Design

Participants will demonstrate their knowledge of canoe design: hull shape, arch, chine/edge, rocker and length and how these characteristics determine its handling and performance.

River Signals

Participants will demonstrate their knowledge of whistle and paddle signals and the importance of keeping them simple.

• Whistle Signals
  • one: attention/listen
  • three: emergency/listen/go to shore
• Paddle or Hand Signals
  
  • Stop
  • Help or Emergency
  • All Clear or Go That Way
  • Are You OK / I’m OK

Concepts for Strokes

Participants will demonstrate their knowledge of common terminology and concepts.

• Stacked hands
• Power and non-power face
• Pitch
• On and Offside for solo paddling

Risk Management

Review of Introduction to Moving Water Canoe Risk Management Tandem where needed.

Helmets

Participants will demonstrate knowledge of Paddle Canada’s and Transport Canada’s regulations with regards to wearing helmets. Paddle Canada’s Introduction to Moving Water Canoe Program, helmets are required when canoes are outfitted with thigh straps, otherwise optional for non-outfitted canoes. Required for all Class II and higher. Transport Canoe requires helmets on all Class III rivers

Swimming

Participants will demonstrate their knowledge and skill of self-rescue: defensive swimming position (on back, feet downstream, paddlers upstream of canoe, and hang onto paddle).

Canoe Rescue and Recovery

Participants will demonstrate their knowledge and skill of canoe rescues (bumping, canoe over canoe, or towing) and recovery of swimmers. Canoe recoveries are dependent on the nature of the river and regional experience.

Shore Rescues - Throw Bag

Participants will demonstrate their knowledge and skill of swimmer recovery using the throw bag.