Introduction to Open Canoeing

Learn LEVEL | 5 day(s) | Ratio 1:6

Overview

Over this five day course we’ll introduce all the key skills that you’ll need to paddle, pole and sail a canoe on lochs and rivers.

DETAILED INFO

AIMS

On this course you’ll experience canoeing on lochs and simple rivers. Over the five days we’ll introduce paddling, sailing and poling your canoe, building the foundation skills you’ll need for your own independent journeys.

PRE-REQUISITES

Confident in and around water.

No previous paddling experience required.

IS IT FOR ME?

If you’re new to open canoeing, and keen to learn how to paddle, sail and pole these versatile boats, then this is the course for you.

CONTENT

Are you wanting to paddle an open canoe on rivers and lochs? Do you want to learn how to keep out of trouble, and to know what do if things go wrong? This five day course is a great way to try canoeing, setting yourself up for a lifetime of paddling adventures.

We’ll start off on a sheltered local loch, working on the foundation skills that you’ll need to control your boat. Initially we’ll paddle tandem (two in a canoe) with the option to switch to solo as your skills develop. We’ll look at the different ways we can sit and how they affect the boat’s handling. Driving the boat by winding and unwinding our bodies is a key skill that we’ll develop; allowing us to paddle faster and further. We’ll discover how the path of the paddle and the position of our top hand chooses whether we glide forwards or turn.

As the week goes on we’ll travel to a range of lochs and rivers; layering in more skills and building your understanding of the environment.