"We love to canoe and we love to teach."

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Course Description


One-day Flatwater Canoeing Course – Level D

This one-day course is designed for the canoeist who has mastered the tandem skills taught in Levels A to C and would like to learn how to paddle their canoe solo. It is also for the ‘self taught’ or more experienced canoeist who would like to improve on their solo skills. For those who are interested in working in the canoeing business, this course is the first step to becoming a certified instructor or guide. Participants will learn solo canoeing. Emphasis throughout the course is on safe canoeing practices while mastering the fundamentals. We have lots of fun, too! Successful participants will receive certification for Flatwater Level D by the Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association.

Prerequesites: Participants in this course must meet the requirements for Levels A to C before being accepted into the course.

Skills Taught:

Safety
  • Review of safety items (Flatwater A, B and C)
  • Swimming and treading water
  • Retrieving a swamped canoe
  • Canoe over canoe rescue
  • Re-entering canoe
Theory
  • Review of theory items (Flatwater A. B and C)
  • Canoeing history
  • Paddling Skills - Solo
  • Launching and removing canoe
  • Entering and exiting canoe
  • Paddling positions and trimming
  • Sideward displacement
  • Forward straight line
  • Inside and outside turns and circles
  • Stopping
  • Inside and outside landings
  • Reverse straight line
  • Lifting, carrying and transporting the canoe
Schedule: The course runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area, which is halfway between Cambridge and Brantford, Ontario.

Sunday 11 May - FULL
Sunday 18 May

Sunday 8 June - FULL
Sunday 22 June

Sunday 20 July
Sunday 27 July

Sunday 24 August

Sunday 14 Semptember

Course length: 8 hours

Cost: $100 (no taxes). This includes instruction, canoe, paddle, life jacket (PFD) and safety equipment. A 10% discount is available for groups of 4 or 5.

What to Bring:
  • 2 litres of water per person per day for a hot day. Less will do on a cooler day, but it always better to have too much than not enough!
  • Lunch
  • Snacks. Trail mix, salted nuts, dried fruit, fruit and granola bars are all good.
  • Water shoes, sturdy sandals or running shoes. Bring an extra pair to be kept dry to change into if necessary
  • Warm clothing. You can get cold even on a hot day if you are wet.
  • Complete change of clothes. Keep a dry set in your vehicle.
  • Rain gear. The course runs regardless of weather (within reason)
  • Sunscreen
  • Hat and sunglasses
  • Bathing suit and towel
  • Foam pad to roll up and place under your ankles when solo paddling to take some of the weight off. A blue closed cell foam pads work well (available at Canadian Tire for about $10 – good for camping too).
All dates have been updated for the 2008 season
Dragonfly Paddling offers the following courses:
Course Level(s)
2 Hour Safe Canoeing Course --- more info
1 Day Flatwater Canoeing Course Level A->B more info
1.5 Day Flatwater Canoeing Course Level A->C more info
2 Day Flatwater Canoeing Course Level A->D more info
1 Day Flatwater Canoeing Course Level D more info
2 Day Lakewater Canoeing Course Level 1 more info


                                                                                                                                                                                             










"Dragonfly Paddling is a small, friendly company devoted to teaching canoeing. We love to canoe and we love to teach."

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