The Introduction to Coastal Canoeing course is designed to provide a solid foundation of knowledge and skill for safe and efficient tandem coastal canoeing along a calm shoreline with calm winds of less than 8 knots.
Students will develop solid tandem canoe handling skills and well as canoe rescues in the context of coastal canoeing.
The introduction of tidal prediction, marine forecasting and navigation with nautical charts also occurs at this level.
This course can be taught on large bodies of freshwater locations like The Great Lakes, Great Slave Lake and Lake Winnipeg.
Review of Introduction to Lake Canoe Tandem skills
Environment hazards including water, wind, waves and weather
Tides
Hypothermia & hyperthermia (being prepared)
Personal preparation (clothing, water, snacks, medication, etc.)
Transport Canada regulations and requirements
Safe canoe procedures
Signals and communication
Canoe over canoe rescue
General paddling skills
Enter and exit a canoe: dock or easy shoreline
Paddling in cadence
Rafting up
Paddling Strokes
Refine introduction to lake tandem skills and strokes
Bow draw
Basic bracing
J stroke
Stern draw and pry
Manoeuvres
Refine introduction to lake tandem skills
Navigating shoreline using piloting techniques: checkpoints, handrails and natural catching features
Forward straight-line paddling
Pivot turns in tight locations
Large to small arc turns (under power)
Paddling in cadence
Left and right turns under power
Knowledge
Basic understanding of nautical charts
Accessing/interpreting land and marine forecasting
Introduction to high and low water times
Equipment for half-day tour
Paddling within your ability
Paddlesmart
Leave no trace principles
Historical or local coastal paddling events
Where to go from here (paddle courses and resources)
Course Prerequisites
Introduction to Tandem Lake Canoeing or prior experience with permission of the course instructor.
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The content on this page is provided for information only and could be incorrect or outdated.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.
