Lake Canoe Skills Advanced Solo

Aim

To demonstrate the highest level of skills and principles necessary to paddle solo in open lake waters, to show confidence and ability to paddle in dynamic paddling environments thus allowing to travel longer distances on open water, and to exhibit leadership skills that will enable the planning and execution of a day trip in an open water environment in a variety of wind conditions.

Upon Successful Completion

The successful ADVANCED LAKE SOLO candidate is considered an advanced solo lake canoeist, capable of performing a variety of rescues, strokes, and manoeuvres in varied windy conditions. The Advanced Lake Solo program is the highest paddling Lake skill level where emphasis is placed upon the candidate exhibiting a high degree of precision, efficiency, and control. 

Teach the following courses:
Not Applicable

Assist on the following Skills courses:
Waterfront, Canoeing Basics, Intro to Advanced Tandem Tandem Lake, Intro to Advanced Solo Lake

Prerequisites
Lake Canoe Skills Intermediate Solo

It is up to the paddler to prove to the instructor by means of evidence, demonstration, or assessment that experience has led to learning. It cannot be assumed that experience has led to learning.

Course Length
One (1) day

Class Ratio
1 Instructor : 6 Participants

Location

Suitable Pond or Lake

Ocean (very sheltered, no current)

Distance from Shore: within comfortable swimming distance from shore (based on the weakest swimmer)

Conditions

Suitable wind and waves to meet the challenging environmental conditions require.

Program Overview
SAFETY & RESCUE
Theory:

  Being Wind Bound

  On Body Personal Survival “Gear”

  Local Rescue Organizations

  First Aid Kits

  Expanding First Aid Skills

Practical

  Canoe Over Canoe

  Shake Out

  Capistrano Flip

PADDLING SKILLS
General:
  Review Intermediate Lake Solo

  Wind, tacking, positioning in the canoe

Strokes

  Forward with Power

  Stroke Blending (static & dynamic)

  Sculling Low Brace

  Canadian

  Silent (Indian)

  Compound Reverse

  Box

  Sculling Pry

  High Brace (wave blocking & stability)

  One Handed Bow Pry

Manoeuvres:

  Triangular Course in Wind and Waves

  Sideslip around a square dock (3 metres/side)

  Forward & Reverse Paddling with Inside & Outside Turns (buoyed course)

  Running Sideslip (pry)

KNOWLEDGE

Knots: a total of 6 knots (see Advanced Tandem for more details).

Specialty Sails

Emergency Gear in Case of Delay (wind bound, etc.)

Emergency/Protection Tarp Set-Up

Repair Kits and Equipment Repairs

1000 Miles in Rob Roy Canoe

Protection of Lake Waterways

Instructors
The following instructors are accredited to offer this course:
Lake Canoe Instructor Advanced Solo
Lake Canoe Instructor Trainer Advanced Solo


Assessment
Activities focus on safety, advanced skill, and efficient and confident paddling within an open water environment. Activity should concentrate on progress, refinement, and environmental awareness. Paddlers should leave the course encouraged to take on a leadership role in their community with regards to solo paddling.