Moving Water Canoe Introduction Tandem 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 Introduction Tandem Skills or equivalent skills.

Paddling Experience

Moving water canoe experience.

Minimum Course Length

16 hours minimum

Class Ratio

1 instructor:8 participants (four canoes)

Minimum Staff and Certification

One Moving Water Canoe Introduction Tandem 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 Tandem Resource Manual for details.

Moving Water Skills Checklists

Canoe Strokes Resource Document

Skills - Manoeuvres

Participants will demonstrate the following manoeuvres using the paddle strokes learned during the course. Tandem paddlers will demonstrate carving using the MITH method.

Strokes:

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

Launching in Current

The bow and stern paddlers work together to stabilize the canoe while facing upstream.

Landing in Current

With the canoe facing upstream, the bow paddler exits first to ensure the current doesn’t catch the canoe.

Front Ferry

Participants will 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.

Descending Back Ferry

Participants will successfully slow their descent in current by reverse paddling and move laterally as directed.

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.

Carving

Participants will describe the teaching tools that are used for carving a canoe and the importance of tilting the canoe throughout the carve.

The MITH method is a tool used for tandem paddling.

The acronym MITH is used as a tool to coordinate the tandem paddler’s actions during a carve.

• Momentum: both bow and stern paddlers paddle forward to create sufficient momentum
• Initiate the turn: the stern initiates the turn either left or right using stern initiation strokes
• Tilt: both paddlers tilt the canoe towards the inside of the arc
• Hold the tilt: the tilt is held until the desired arc is completed

Controlling the Shape of the Arc with the Carving Triangle

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 (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.

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.

Canoe Outfitting

Participants will demonstrate their knowledge of canoe outfitting.

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
  • 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 tandem paddling

Environmental Impact

Participants will discuss the impact of canoeing on the environment.

History

The participants will demonstrate knowledge of local, regional or national history of the canoe.

Resources and Flatwater Drills

Paddle Canada recognizes the importance of getting paddlers onto moving water quickly. Flatwater skills are the foundation for the moving water program and through the introduction of flatwater drills, paddlers then move quickly to the moving water environment to enhance experiential learning.

Risk Management

Participants will demonstrate how to properly prepare for river travel, including float plans, and how that reduces the potential risks and hazards impacting the individual and group.

Helmets

Participants will demonstrate knowledge of Paddle Canada’s and Transport Canada’s regulations with regards to wearing helmets. Paddle Canada's Moving Water Canoe Introduction Tandem Skills, 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.