Paddle Canada National Moving Water Canoe Program

Instructor Resource Manuals

Moving Water Canoe Basic Tandem Skills Course Resource Manual

Moving Water Canoe Introduction Tandem Skills Resource Manual

Moving Water Canoe Introduction Solo Skills Resource Manual

Moving Water Canoe Intermediate Tandem Skills Resource Manual

Moving Water Canoe Intermediate Solo Skills Resource Manual

Program Overview

Skill levels are achieved by taking courses. There is an expectation that candidates will take time practising and honing those learned skills before undertaking the next course. The minimum skill set at a lower level is insufficient for entrance to a course at a higher level.

Instructor levels are achieved by taking courses and may also be earned through a mentorship process. Tandem and Solo Instructor mentorships are separate. Instructors can gain the complement level Instructor certification, if they have the higher complement Instructor level, the prerequisites, and a recommendation from an Instructor Trainer.

Instructor Trainer levels are achieved through teaching experience and a process of apprenticeship. Tandem and Solo Instructor Trainer mentorships are separate. Instructor Trainers can gain the complement level Instructor Trainer certification, if they have the higher complement Instructor level, the prerequisites, and a recommendation from an Instructor Trainer.

Instructor Levels Overview

Candidates wanting Tandem and Solo certification only must take one instructor course (either Tandem or Solo first) per level for the Moving Water program.

Tandem instructors can request to be granted the complement level Solo instructor certification if they hold the higher-level Solo skill certification and have a recommendation from the appropriate Instructor Trainer. Requests can be flipped.

Prior to beginning an instructor course, participants must have completed all the prerequisites. Candidates must perform all skills at a high level of proficiency suitable for demonstration at the level they want to instruct. All Paddle Canada Instructors are required to have the appropriate and current first aid certification when instructing.

Instructor Certification through Mentorship

When there are limited opportunities for instructor courses to meet the minimum student ratio, candidates can achieve their instructor certification through mentorship.

Instructor Trainer Levels Overview

Paddle Canada’s Instructor Trainer Development process is standardized across the organization. This mentorship process provides national certification in the instruction and administration of the Paddle Canada Moving Water Canoe Instructor Courses.

Tandem and Solo Instructor Trainer mentorships are separate. Instructor Trainers can gain the complement level Instructor Trainer certification, if they have the higher complement Instructor level, the prerequisites, and a recommendation from an Instructor Trainer.

Information about becoming an Instructor Trainer, the specific syllabus, and maintaining your Instructor Trainer certification, can be found in the Instructor Trainer Development Manual.

Recent Program Changes

See a complete list of recent changes to the program.

Moving Water Program Mission

To promote and teach the necessary knowledge, skills, and safe use of paddling canoes on all Canadian waterways. Through our support for a safe, enjoyable, and accessible paddling community, we develop a love and respect for the environment and nature as well as an understanding of canoeing’s place in our Canadian heritage.

General Instruction Style Expectations of this Program

We expect participants to progress with increasing competence as they move through the program and instructors are expected to adjust their teaching to suit these evolving competencies. Our goal is for the paddler to become more independent and able to support others while responding safely to a changing and complex paddling environment. This can be summarized as a progressive and safe response to: Me - We - Sea where the paddler first concentrates on their own skills (Me). As these develop, they are then able to capably assist and support their fellow paddlers (We). With further training and experience, this extends to making decisions with a full consideration of the paddling environment (Sea).

Since paddling takes place in the physical world, Paddle Canada places emphasis on the physical environment in our progression. As such, our environmental guidelines emphasize weather, terrain, sea state as well as group factors in managing risk and making sound decisions. Accordingly, our water classification system takes into account the physical, social and psychological environment.

Program Development Process

The process for the development of this program included the review of our program and discussions with our Moving Water members.

Future Program Development

This is a living program; always under review, refined and updated. The Moving Water Program Committee welcomes any suggestions by the Paddle Canada Moving Water members. Please contact us with your ideas or comments.

Acknowledgements

The Paddle Canada Moving Water Program is the product of committed moving water enthusiasts from across Canada and the Moving Water Canoe Committee. To those individuals, Paddle Canada extends a sincere thank you.

Acknowledgement of the Cultural Foundations of Paddling

Paddle Canada is a community of trusted leaders that inspires connections to Canadians and nature through paddling. The bind that ties us all, the paddle, and the craft that it propels (the canoe, kayak, and stand-up board) are not ours to claim.

We acknowledge and respect the cultural traditions of the First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people on whose land and waters we live, learn, play, and earn.

We stand as allies to the owners of this land we call Canada, and we respectfully acknowledge how we came into the privilege to be here.

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