Waterfront Canoeing Skills Tandem

Aim

The Waterfront Tandem Program is designed to provide knowledge and skills necessary for “beachfront” (80x100 m) paddling activities. The items chosen for inclusion in this program are of importance to individuals being introduced to canoeing in a camp style environment. The program is to teach skill development through the use of games and activities. 

There is no participant certification for this program. The participants of the WATERFRONT TANDEM program are considered a beginner tandem waterfront

canoeist, capable of performing basic strokes to manoeuvre the canoe for short distances. Safety, understanding limitations, fun games, and activities are the

emphasis in this program.

The Program ideally should be presented as a number of mini sessions.  Sessions should look like 10 - 15 minutes of skill introduction (on land or water)

to 20 - 40 minutes of activities. Rescue techniques at this level are leaderassisted.

If camps or organizations wish to run canoeing programs where the desired goal is to take the participants on a paddle down the lake then the Lake Program with a Lake Instructor is the direction one must take.

Upon Successful Completion

The participants of the WATERFRONT TANDEM program are considered a beginner tandem waterfront canoeist, capable of performing basic strokes to manoeuvre the canoe for short distances. Safety, understanding limitations, fun games, and activities are the emphasis in this program.

Teach the following courses:
Not Applicable

Assist and/or Apprentice (Mentorship) on the following courses:
Not Applicable

Prerequisites
none

Course Length
variable: Minimum 60 minutes 

The Program ideally should be presented as a number of mini sessions.  Sessions should look like 10 - 15 minutes of skill introduction (on land or water)

to 20 - 40 minutes of activities. Rescue techniques at this level are leader assisted.

Class Ratio
1 Instructor : 10 Participants

Location
Suitable lake or pond or pool
Designated Waterfront area: 80 metres from shore, with approximately 100 metres of shoreline.

Conditions
Calm waters, with little to no wind

Program Overview
Safety & Rescue, Theory:
  TC Regulations
  Designated Paddling Area
  Rescue Procedures
  Expanding Ones Skills
  Buddy System
  PC PFD Policy: Always Wear It!
Practical:
  Warm Up to Reduce Paddling Injuries
  PFD Selection
  Canoe Carries
  Body Mass Centred in Canoe
  How to Sit or Kneel
  Basic Whistle Signals
Paddling Skills, General:
  Enter & Exit Canoe (shore or dock)
  Balance 3 Point contact
  Paddling Positions
  How to Hold a Paddle
  Co-ordinating Switching Sides

Paddling Skills, Strokes:

  Forward
  Reverse
  Check (stop)
  Draw
  Push Away
  Rudder or J
Paddling Skills, Maneuvers:
  Forward Paddling
  Spinning the Canoe
  Stopping

Knowledge
  Canoe & Paddle Parts
  Course Limitations
  Additional Courses
  Canoeing Resources & Local Paddling Clubs or Groups


Instructors
The following instructors are accredited to offer this course:
  Waterfront Instructors and any Lake Canoe Instructor

The following instructors may assist/apprentice (Mentorship) on this course:
Not Applicable

Assessment
Activities focus on safety, fun, and comfortable paddling in a designated and calm environment close to the shoreline. Activities should concentrate on progress through teamwork in paddling games, activities, and the awareness for future learning. Paddlers should leave the course empowered and motivated to continue their learning and aware of their individual limitations.