Introduction to Style Canoeing Skills

At this level candidates must be able to complete the core elements and open water manoeuvres on one paddling side; they should also be encouraged to attempt the skills on both sides. Students will develop a good understanding of the M.I.T.H. (Momentum, Initiation, Tilt, Hold) concept in relation to boat control in the forward direction, and an introduction to reverse.

Prerequisites

Skill Certification

Introduction to Lake Canoe Solo or equivalent skill and knowledge at the discretion of the course instructor.

Minimum Course Length

8 hours minimum.

Class Ratio

1 instructor:6 participants

Minimum Staff and Certification

One Introduction to 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

Manoeuvres are core elements (for example, pivot) executed along a defined pattern (line pivots) that are completed in open water without markers or criteria – manoeuvres allow students to show individual expression and style. At this level there is no specific requirement for exclution of complex manoeuvres participants should be encouraged to try one or two manoeuvers such as line pivots.

Transitions

Transitions are the switch or movement from one core element or manoeuvre to the next. Elements are the basic building blocks for the style program, transitions are the links between elements or manoeuvres in routines.

Introduction of forward transitions between core elements

• Turn and continue
• Line (arc) into pivot
• Pivot into line (arc)
• Arc to Arc switching
• Pivot to side displacement
• Line (arc) to side displacement (includes running side disp. to side disp.)
• Start/Stop – each element
• Side displacement to pivot
• Side displacement to line (arc)

Routines

Routines are a series of smoothly interconnected manoeuvres on open water that allow the canoeist to display control over the canoe and personal style and interpretation. At this level there is no specific requirement for routine development, but participants should be encouraged to try combining one or two manoeuvers through smooth transition.

There may be an introduction to synchronized paddling at this level.

Knowledge

Participants will learn the general criteria for each core skill in the order of: corridor, length, yaw and roll. Paddling with finesse and control through a routine is more important than meeting very rigorous single manoeuvre criteria.

See Teaching Notes for more details

Core Elements

Core elements are the very basic foundation of all Style canoeing, in this program, there are suggested criteria for each element (Length, Corridor, Yaw)

• Canoe lift and carry
• Launch and removal from water at shore/dock
• Balance – especially with respect to heel
• Controlled sit (0,0,0)
• Inside pivot (three complete revolutions) (2m, N/A, N/A)
• Outside pivot (three complete revolutions) (2m, N/A, N/A)
• Forward straight line (<2m, 25m, 20°)
• Forward straight line glide of 5-10 seconds (<2m, 10m, minimal to zero)
• Reverse straight line (<2m, 25m, 20°)
• Controlled stops (forward & reverse) (<2m, 3m, 20°)
• Side displacement with 90° outside corner (both directions) (<1m, 10m, 20°),
• Forward inside Circles (two) (<2m, 5m radius, 20°)
• Forward outside Circles (two) (<2m, 5m radius, 20°)
• Forward controlled turns in both directions (<2m, 5m, 90°) (5m is from initiation to completion ~1 boat length) – Stop turns, pivot turns, and U turns are all included
• Forward weight Turns in both directions, heeled to paddling side (no criteria, but consistent selection of direction of turn)
• Reverse weight turns (no criteria, introduction to skill only)

The following strokes will be reviewed and introduced to the above core elements.

• Forward Stroke
• J, Canadian, or knifing J
• Rolling J (silent stroke)
• Reverse J
• C stroke
• Draw, Push away/pry – both off-set and for side displacement
• Sculling in both directions (side displacement)
• Box stroke along with variations (pivots)
• Reverse stroke and compound back stroke
• Running pry, jam (turns)
• Running draw (turns)
• Sweep (forward/reverse) for both turns and pivots
• Braces – in particular low and high braces, along with sculling braces

Theory

Participants will be introduced to following items through discussions and activities:

• What is ‘Style’ Canoeing – off-shoots, related disciplines, and subsets.
• Boat types/shapes as they apply to style paddling
• Hull shape and implications for paddling from different positions (heel, trim).
• Heeling the canoe – reference to chine, how much is appropriate, changes, how to ‘apply’.
• Influence of Omer Stringer & others (Bill Mason, Becky Mason, etc…) on Style canoeing
• Alternatives to kneeling – saddlebags, thwarts, seats, pedestals, welsh plank – strength and limitations.
• Canoe Dynamics/Mechanics
  • With each manoeuvre consider (M.I.T.H.): Initiation, paddle placement & pitch, trim/pitch, conclusion, recovery, along with the influence of weighting
  • Importance of body placement including both trim and heel
    • Kneeling positions – low (Canadian), high, transverse, & three-point. At this level most paddling will be done from a low kneeling (Canadian) position.
    • How to stay comfortable when paddling through the use of kneeling pads, saddle bags, movement, weight shift, etc.
  • Importance of paddle placement relative to pivot point – a discussion of torque
  • Introduction of paddle pitch during both static and dynamic strokes
  • Introduce movement in the canoe during manoeuvres/routines and how this can affect the presented or apparent hull shape
  • Edging (heel) the canoe to optimize turns and other manoeuvres – the concepts around M.I.T.H.
  • Trim/pitch and how these can affect turns and boat control. Include carved turns and skidding turns.
  • Transitions between core elements and manoeuvres.
  • Correction/Detection and Training Pyramid.

Required Equipment

Participants demonstrate knowledge of the following:

• Small Vessel Regulations including personal flotation device (PFD) of life jacket, bailer, sound-signalling device (whistle), 15m of buoyant rope (throw bag), and waterproof flashlight when paddling in dawn or dusk.
• Kneeling pads (size/shape)

Risk Management

Participants will discuss and take part in the following. Although these items may not seem critical for Style canoeing, they are often needed when learning or practicing as accidental tipping is not uncommon.

• Risk management and recovery
• Swim 15m towing swamped canoe and empty in shallow water
• Canoe over Canoe or parallel rescue, and supported re-entry from deep water
• Self-rescue techniques (swimming with canoe, shallow water recovery/empty).
  • Use of techniques such as splash out or Capistrano flip may be covered.
  • Attempted Solo re-entry into the canoe from deep water