Big Canoe Lake Water Skipper Course - Pitt Meadows

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Big Canoe Lake Water Intermediate Leader Course (Big Canoe Skipper Course)
Paddle Canada Certified

Course Dates:
Saturday, April 26 – Sunday, April 27, 2025
Location: Pitt Meadows, BC

This Big Canoe Skipper Course is designed to help participants develop intermediate skills for leading and paddling in a big canoe. Perfect for those with a basic understanding of paddling strokes, the course focuses on teaching the stern position and preparing participants to lead novice paddlers on easy (flat/lake) water.

Participants will cover essential leadership and rescue techniques, as well as strategies for managing groups of paddlers in a safe and effective manner. By the end of this course, you will have the skills needed to safely guide big canoe trips, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of everyone involved.

Prerequisites

• Minimum age of 16 years or demonstration of a high level of fitness and maturity
• Recommended to hold at least Standard First Aid, with up to Wilderness First Responder certification depending on planned paddling destinations/journeys
  (It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure they have the appropriate first aid skills for their paddling environments)
  Check out our Ridge First Aid course offerings here!

Course Details

• Duration: 2 days of on-water instruction
  • April 26 & 27: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Location: Pitt Meadows area, BC

Note: Registration closes one business day before the course begins. For last-minute registrations, contact us at info@exploreridge.com or call (604) 477-4663.

Course Content

Safety and Rescue

• How to carry a big canoe
• Recognizing environmental hazards (water, wind, waves, weather)
• When to exit the water due to hazards
• Understanding and managing hypothermia & hyperthermia
• Transport Canada regulations for safe canoeing
• Developing a float plan and managing a group
• Signals (whistle/paddle) for communicating across multiple canoes
• Basic canoe rescues
• Using communication devices

Paddling Skills

• Entering and exiting a canoe from dock or shoreline
• Paddling strokes (forward, reverse, sweep, draw, pry)
• Crew commands and leading paddlers
• Docking and shoreline maneuvers
• Straight-line paddling and turns (wide and tight)
• Pivots and reverse paddling
• Changing paddler placement for trim and balance

Leadership and Group Management

• How to lead novice paddlers and manage group dynamics
• Risk management strategies on the water
• Following Leave No Trace principles
• Understanding your limits: Paddlesmart

Knowledge

• Understanding the roles and positions of your crew
• The fundamentals of holding a paddle
• Commands for your crew

Intent: This course introduces big canoe paddling to those with basic knowledge of paddling strokes, focusing on developing the skills necessary to lead and manage novices in a big canoe on easy water (flat/lake water).

Materials:
Participants will receive a workbook, skipper talk, and manual as part of the course materials.

Completion Criteria:
Participants must successfully demonstrate all skills and actively participate in 100% of the course to earn Paddle Canada Intermediate Big Canoe Leader certification.

This course will equip you with the skills and confidence to lead big canoe adventures safely, effectively, and with the ability to navigate various paddling environments. Ready to take your paddling and leadership to the next level?