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Gentleman paddling a canoe solo.

Photo credit: Gabes Images

Introduction to Solo Lake Canoeing

Discipline: Canoeing Program: Lake Canoe Stream: Skills Development

The Introduction to Solo Lake Canoeing introduces beginner paddler to paddling in calm sheltered waters.

Students are introduced to the basic paddling strokes and land and water rescues techniques. At the end of the course participants will have the confidence and basic skills to venture out on short paddling adventures.

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Course Overview

Typical Course Length

6 hours of instruction

Course Topics

Safety and Rescue

Carrying a canoe
Dealing with wind, waves and weather
Hypothermia & hyperthermia
Personal preparation (clothing, water, snacks, medication, etc.)
Transport Canada regulations
Safe canoe procedures (for example, lead, sweep and on-water leadership)
Canoe over canoe rescue

General paddling skills

Entering and exiting a canoe

Strokes

Forward and Reverse strokes
Check (stop)
Draw and Pry
C-stroke and J-stroke
Stern pry
Forward and reverse sweeps
Low brace and sculling low brace

Manoeuvres

Circles (small to large)
Forward paddling
Pivots
Onside and offside turns
Docking
Stopping
Sideslip
Reverse paddling

Concepts

Solo paddling position and trim
How to hold a paddle
Momentum and initiation

Knowledge

Basic canoe and paddle parts
Paddle and canoe care
Knots for canoe tie down (bowline and truckers hitch)
Equipment for a half day tour
Paddlesmart
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The content on this page is provided for information only and could be incorrect or outdated.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.