Advanced Style Canoeing Skills

New core elements are added, including an introduction to Freestyle. Although core elements must be completed on both paddling sides only the most proficient side will be assessed.

Prerequisites

Skills Certification

Intermediate Style Canoeing skills or equivalent skill and knowledge at the discretion of the course instructor.

Minimum Course Length

8 hours minimum though additional time for routine development and practice will be required.

Class Ratio

1 instructor:6 participants

Minimum Staff and Certification

One Advanced Style Canoeing Instructor.

Course Location

Pool, pond, or lake on quiet water.

Environmental Conditions

Conditions should not exceed water class -0, winds <16 km/hr.

Participant Assessment

Assessment is based on the completion of core elements within the identified criteria as set by the instructor, open water manoeuvres, and routines. Although paddling strokes are taught within each level, assessment is primarily based on the movement and control of the canoe in routines rather than execution of specific strokes.

Skills and Manoeuvres

All core elements in open water, both paddling sides. The following manoeuvres are examples and may be expanded on by the instructor.

• Displaced circles
• Pivot through arcs and/or circles (similar to line pivot but following an arc)
• Stern pinwheel
• Introduction to Freestyle (forward onside quarter). The basic skills have already been covered but names and weight placement change. Although forward/onside is required participants should be encouraged to explore reverse and offside quarters, where appropriate.
  • Axle
  • Christie
  • Wedge
  • Post
  • Freespin
  • Gimbal
• Personal development and exploration expanding on these examples within the difficulty for the level.

Transitions

Transitions between core elements forward and reverse transitions including weight shifts with particular attention to offside and forward weighting.

• Transitions covered in introductory and intermediate level

Routines

• More complex duets with six or more manoeuvres, or highly complex solo routines (8+ manoeuvres) involving at least four manoeuvres from the advanced core elements.
• Parallel paddling routines must be within 1m with constant distance and speed.
• Paired pivots or inline manoeuvres must be within 0.5m at the closest point.
• Participate in an improvised Style canoeing demonstration.
• Routines should be considered as a whole movement with smooth or ‘intended’ transitions throughout.
• Music and more complex choreography may be used in advanced routines. Timing and interpretation may be included in the assessment of skills.
• Multiple paddlers must be appropriately synchronized – using complementary strokes, power, and rhythm.

Knowledge

See Teaching Notes for more details on each element.

Core Elements

All the Introductory and Intermediate core elements but with tighter corridors (for example, half of each corridor and yaw as appropriate)

Additional elements include:

• Reverse weight turns in both directions (controlled) (<3m, 5m, 90°).
• Reverse running side slip (2m to side, over 4m forward, 20°).
• Reverse connected circles (two circuits) (<2m, 5m radial, 20°).
• Complete English Gate or equivalent course.
• Further blended strokes and transitions.

There are no specific additional paddling strokes but enhanced stroke blending and smooth execution continue to be developed at this level.

Theory

• Influence of/on Freestyle and where to find further training.
• Dynamic and Static strokes – purpose and distinction particularly with respect to Freestyle paddling.
• Importance of weight shifts and terminology in Freestyle.
• Effect of leading/trailing stems and boat control.
• Synchronized paddling – same power, rhythm, matching or complementary motions/strokes.
• Style canoeing competitions, symposiums and demonstrations.
• Advanced choreography.