Location: Rotary Sunshine Park, NL. Photo credit: Hazen Scarth
Introduction Tandem Lake Canoeing
The Introduction to Lake Canoeing course introduces beginner tandem paddlers how to paddle with a partner in calm sheltered waters. The successful candidate is considered a beginner tandem lake canoeist, capable of performing basic land and water-based rescues. Rescue techniques at this level teach self, as well as assisted rescues.
The skills and knowledge gained at this level form the the foundation necessary for confident and safe travel. Participants will be 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.
Late May – early June is the one time of year that Paddle Newfoundland and Labrador offers a Paddle Canada sanctioned Skills School to the general public and to Paddle NL members.
All courses are taught by Paddle Canada certified instructors. The age requirement is 14 years or older for the Introduction to Lake Tandem course. Applicants under 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Participants will receive a Paddle Canada Certification after a successful completion of the course, recognized anywhere in Canada.
Course Overview
Typical Course Length
- 6 hours of instruction
Course Topics
Safety and Rescue
- Carrying a canoe
- Basic environment hazards like water, wind, waves, weather
- When to get off the water
- Being prepared for hypothermia and hyperthermia
- Personal preparation (clothing, water, snacks, medication, etc.)
- Transport Canada regulations and requirements
- Safe canoe procedures (lead/sweep and on water leadership)
- Canoe over canoe rescues
- Towing a canoe
- Throw bag practice
General Paddling Skills
- Getting in and out of a canoe at a dock or easy shoreline
- Paddling in cadence
- Rafting up
Strokes
- Forward
- Reverse
- Check (stop)
- Draw
- Pry
- J-Stroke or rudder
- Forward and Reverse sweep (stern only)
- Low brace
- Drop Skeg
Manoeuvres
- Forward paddling
- Wide turns (rectangular course)
- Pivots
- Left and right turns
- Docking (basic)
- Reverse paddling
Concepts
- Momentum and initiation
- Trimming a canoe
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
- Paddling within your ability
- PaddleSmart
- Leave No Trace principles
Course Prerequisites
- None
Course Price: $ 125. (Total)
Intermediate Tandem Lake Canoeing
At this level manoeuvres require expanded levels of teamwork and greater precision. The progression of activities will focus on safety, refinement of skills, introduction of new strokes and manoeuvers, environmental challenges and perform assisted rescue techniques.
Late May – early June is the one time of year that Paddle Newfoundland and Labrador offers a Paddle Canada sanctioned Skills School to the general public and to Paddle NL members.
All courses are taught by Paddle Canada certified Instructors. The age requirement is 16 years old or older.
Participants will receive a Paddle Canada Certification after a successful completion of the course, recognized anywhere in Canada.
Typical Course Length
- 14 hours of instruction
Course Topics
Safety and Rescue
- Carrying a canoe
- Weather information/interpretation
- Exposure aliments
- Accident prevention
- Communication and leadership requirements
- Principles of incident management
- First aid kits
- Communication on the water
- Deep water exits
- Swimming canoe to shore
- Canoe over canoe rescues
- Getting back into a canoe
- Towing a canoe
- Throw bag use
General Paddling Skills
- Entering and exiting a canoe along shorelines
- Paddling in cadence
- Rafting up
- Switching ends while on the water
Strokes
- Draw
- Cuts
- J-stroke
- Stern Pry
- Forward and reverse sweep strokes
- Righting pry
- Sculling low brace
- Sculling draw
- Reverse J stroke
- Back draw
- Silent stroke
Manoeuvres
- Rectangular course and/or triangular course for windy conditions
- Figure 8’s
- Improved stopping
- Inside and outside turns
- Reverse straight-line paddling
- Running sideslip
- Precision docking
Concepts
- Inside and outside turns
- Stroke phases: catch, power and recovery
- MITH: Momentum, Initiation, Tilt and Hold
- Paddling mechanics including the paddler’s box, body rotation, balance, bow wave, environment forces acting on the canoe, yaw, pitch and roll
Knowledge
- Canoe and paddle designs and materials
- Knots: taut line, clove hitch, highwayman’s hitch
- Day trip planning (location, navigation, communication, and float plan)
- Basic repair kits
- Emergency survival kits
- Paddling abilities/limitations
- Canoeing history
Course Prerequisites
- Introduction of Lake Tandem or permission of the Instructor, based on proof of prior learning of equivalent skill and knowledge.
Course Price: $ 150. (Total)
Course Location: Pool Session - / On water and lectures - Rotary Sunshine Park
Introduction Lake Tandem:
- Session 1 – Pool TBA
- Session 2 – Rotary Sunshine Park, TBA
Intermediate Lake Tandem:
- Session 1 – Pool TBA
- Session 2 – Rotary Sunshine Park, TBA
- Session 3 – Rotary Sunshine Park, TBA
Items included at no charge for the duration of the course: A canoe, paddle and life jacket.
If you have any questions about the Introduction Lake Tandem or the Intermediate Lake Tandem Courses not covered on this page email us at web@paddlenl.ca