Environment hazards (water/ wind/waves/weather) when to get off! Hypothermia & hyperthermia (being prepared)
Group management
Transport Canada regulations
Safe canoe procedures and development of a float plan
Signals (multiple canoes): whistle/paddle
Canoe rescues
Communication devices
General Paddling Skills
Enter and exit a canoe: dock/shoreline
Paddling and commanding a crew
Paddling Strokes
Forward & reverse strokes
Check (stop)
Draw and pry (active and stationary)
Forward and reverse sweeps (stern only)
Low brace
Drop skeg
Optional strokes for the bow position: Draws and pry’s (active and stationary)
Concepts
How to hold a paddle
Position and roles of crew
Commands for crew
Manoeuvres
Straight lines
Turns (wide and tight) (active and stationary strokes)
Pivots
Reverse paddling
Docking and shoreline
Changing paddler placement
Knowledge
Group management
Risk management
Paddling within your ability
Paddlesmart
Leave no trace principles
Where to go from here (paddle courses and resources)
Course Prerequisites
Certification
Introduction to Big Canoe Paddler Skills or
Intro to Lake Tandem Canoe or equivalent skills at the discretion of the course director
First Aid
Current Standard First Aid or Wilderness First Aid
The Small Print
The content on this page is provided for information only and could be incorrect or outdated. The course program manual is the official syllabus.
If you have any specific syllabus questions, please get in touch with the
Canoe Program Committee who is responsible for the development and maintaince of this course.
Our mission is to promote, educate, and support the recreational paddling community, paddling instructors, and partners.