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A student learning intermediate canoe poling techniques on the Hammond River, NB with Tim Humes.

Location: Hammond River, New Brunswick. Photo Credit Tim Humes

Introduction to Canoe Poling

Discipline: Canoeing Program: Canoe Poling Stream: Skills Development

Introduction to Canoe Poling introduces a beginner to poling a canoe in calm sheltered waters.

Students will be introduced to the basic poling strokes, canoe balance, walking forward and reverse in a canoe as well as land and water rescue techniques.

Upon completion of the course, students will have the confidence and basic skills to venture out on flat water poling adventures plus motivated to continue his/her learning and aware of his/her individual limitations.

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Course Overview

Typical Course Length

6 - 14 hours of instruction.

Course Topics

Safety and Rescue

PFD or lifejacket selection
Hypothermia, hyperthermia, hydration
Retrieving a swamped canoe
Canoe over canoe rescue
Parallel rescue
Communications
Personal gear and comfort
Safety gear and boat
Equipment requirement

General Skills

Entering canoe and canoe launching
Standing in the canoe, balance
Boat tilt
Stopping

Strokes

Kayak stroke
Power forward
Pole recovery
Rudder turn
Bottom stern pry
Water stern pry
Forward and reverse sweep
Cross bow draw
Stopping
Aggressive power turns
Reverse power
Hand over hand or windmill
Pry (bow)

Concepts

How to hold a pole
Stroke differences (paddle & pole)
Momentum, initiation, tilt & hold (MITH)
Canoe trim

Manoeuvres

Entering and exit a canoe
Standing hop forward
Walking forward/backward in canoe
Forward straight line
Right and left turns
Side slipping
Stopping
Reverse straight line
S turns
Pivots
Radical turns

Knowledge

Poling heritage: traditional, sport/recreation
Canoe and indigenous peoples
Canoe & pole (parts, proper terms & care)
Trimming principles: flatwater & wind
Basic canoe lifts and carries
Canoe transport
Knots: bowline and trucker’s hitch
Safe poling practices
Equipment
Poling resources & additional courses
Poling within your ability
The canoe as a national symbol
Leave no trace principles

Course Prerequisites

None

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The content on this page is provided for information only and could be incorrect or outdated.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.