The Waterfront Canoe Program provides knowledge and skills necessary for calm water paddling in a designated "waterfront or beachfront" area.
The course focuses on basic skill development, safety and an understanding of limitations primarily through paddling games and group activities.
The items chosen for inclusion in this program are of importance to individuals being introduced to canoeing through canoeing games in a summer camp or canoe club setting, within a sheltered environment.
1-5 hours of instruction. Can be broken up into mini sessions.
Course Topics
Safety and Rescue
Transport Canada regulations
Designated paddling area
Cold and heat related concerns
Environmental hazards
Emergency procedures for the camp/club
Rescue procedures: canoe over canoe
Buddy system
Warm-ups to reduce paddling injuries
Lifejacket selection
Carrying a canoe
How to sit or kneel
General Paddling Skills
How to enter and exit a canoe
Coordinating switching sides and places
Strokes
Forward and reverse strokes
Check (stop)
Draw and Pry
J-stroke or rudder
Forward sweep
Low brace
Drop skeg
Manoeuvres
Forward paddling
Pivoting
Turns under power
Stopping
Concepts
How to hold a paddle
Balance: 3-point contact
Paddling positions
Knowledge
Basic canoe and paddle parts
Paddling with the group
Course limitations
Additional courses
Paddlesmart
Canoeing resources & local paddling clubs
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The content on this page is provided for information only and could be incorrect or outdated.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.
Our mission is to promote, educate, and support the recreational paddling community, paddling instructors, and partners.
