Courses / Lessons 2008

Spring Canoeing Lessons

Once again we’re lucky to have Mr. Bill Morris leading three different types of
lessons this spring. Mr. Morris is a highly qualified Paddle Canada Instructor and works extensively with Saskatoon Public Schools. Each of these lesson sets are from 7:00 until 9:00pm.

The first lesson - will be at Erindale Lake (at the corner of Kerr Road and Kenderdine Avenue, just off McOrmond Drive). The second lesson - at the Canoe Club Boat House. All equipment is provided but participants need to dress for the weather.

• Introduction to Canoeing ...............Tues. May 20th and 27th
  This course is for anyone who needs the basics. (max. of 10 participants)
• Stroke Improvement......................Wednesday May 21st and 28th, and Monday June 16th - New date added!
  You know the basics, and you’re ready for more. (max. of 10 participants)
• Solo Basics ....................................Thurs. May 22nd and 29th
  Five of you want to go on a trip so you’ll paddle alone! (max. of 5 participants)

To Register for Bill’s courses: Call Wes Deptuch at 955-0566. You will be considered registered upon receipt of the $15 fee. There will be no refunds after May 15th.

Canoe Tripping Level 1

Paddle Canada (formerly CRCA) Canoe Tripping Level I

Course Description: Canoe Tripping I provides an introduction to canoe tripping for those with little or no tripping experience. The emphasis is on wilderness canoe camping skills and safety. Items like canoe rescues and map usage are practiced, some theory is studied, and everything is put together and demonstrated on the overnight canoe trip (interested persons may request a more detailed course outline).

When: Saturday May 17th to Monday May 19th, 2008

Location: A classroom (location TBA) / parts of the South Saskatchewan River/ and Harry Bailey Aquatic Center. The course requires an overnight canoe trip. Friday and Saturday nights you sleep at home (or wherever you like) but on Sunday night we’ll be in our tents.

Prerequisite Skills: Paddle Canada “Flatwater” certificate OR comparable skills (at the discretion of the instructor). Example: Candidate is able to paddle solo over a triangular course without switching sides with her/his paddle.

Cost: $150.00 per person, plus a share of the trip food. The trip food is planned in one or two “food groups” and prepared over open fire or small camp stoves. The overnight trip involves Sunday’s supper, and Monday’s breakfast and lunch.

To Register: Call Wes Deptuch at 955-0566 or email him at
recreation.div@saskatooncanoeclub.org

About Your Instructor: Wes Deptuch has been canoeing since his first high school trip back in 1981. He has canoed on many lakes and rivers from Alberta to Ontario. He has been leading high school trips since 1999 and has been a Paddle Canada (formerly CRCA) instructor since 2005.

Lakewater 1

Paddle Canada, Lakewater I

Instructor: Bill Morris

Course Date: June 14 and 15, 2008

Times: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (or later) both days.

Course Location: Erindale Lake (John Avant Park near the corner of Kenderdine and Kerr Road in Saskatoon).

Course Description: Welcome to Lakewater 1. This course is designed by Paddle Canada to perfect tandem lakewater paddling skills and continue the development of solo paddling skills. Lakewater 1 is the certification recommended in the Sask Learning guidelines to lead students in a waterfront canoeing program. Overnight trips require Canoe Tripping 2 certification. Participants who do not meet Lakewater 1 criteria are eligible for Flatwater A, B, C, and/or D. Persons interested in the paddling experience but not wishing to be certified with Paddle Canada are welcome. An outline of course criteria are on the Paddle Canada website at paddlingcanada.com. The Lakewater 1 course includes the Flatwater course and is evaluated at a higher level. Lakewater 1 is a rigorous paddling skills course. Participants with limited paddling experience may require more than the sixteen hours recommended by Paddle Canada. Periods of time spent on the water will be separated with on-land instruction and discussion. The amount of time spent practicing will depend on the skill of the individuals entering the course and evaluation will take place when the person is ready. As evaluation of individuals requires the attention of the evaluator, some patience is required when asking for instruction and evaluation. If individuals require more practice, evaluation may take place at a later date.

How to prepare? Please come ready to spend the day outdoors with protection for sun, wind, wet, and cold - meaning hats, available long sleeves and pants, windproof, waterproof, insulation. A change of clothes is a good idea - swimming will be accidental. If it is a cold day some kind of hand protection will make the experience more enjoyable. As a good portion of the canoeing will be best done in a kneeling position, kneepads or a small pad will become increasingly appreciated as the day-long paddling sessions proceed. Please bring an approved personal floatation device and a paddle. Snacks and liquids are important. John Avant Park has no facilities and the nearest public facilities are at fast food outlets that are a five minute drive away.

To register: Call Wes Deptuch at 955-0566 or email him at recreation.div@saskatooncanoeclub.org

Wilderness Navigation by Map & Compass - CanoeSki Discovery Co.

May 25 - 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Location: Saskatoon
Cost: $75
Registration: Contact Cliff Speer, CanoeSki Discovery Co at 306-653-5693 or email cliff@canoeski.com.
More Information: www.canoeski.com/instruct.htm#mapcomp.

Navigation skills are a great asset for anyone, but invaluable for outdoor leaders and those in pursuits that venture off the beaten track like canoeing, hiking, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, snowmobiling, hunting and adventure racing. You are welcome to join this full-day course to learn new skills or to refresh your grasp of the basics. The course consists of a morning classroom session and an afternoon orienteering component and will be conducted by a team of instructors experienced in wilderness navigation and orienteering. Club members are entitled to a 15% discount off the course fee, which applies to all CanoeSki instructional programs.

Learn To Canoe - CanoeSki Discovery Company

Here's your chance to get started canoeing with confidence.

This comprehensive 12-hour program, conducted in Saskatoon in cooperation with Eb's Source for Adventure, will cover basic paddling techniques, canoe safety, and equipment considerations. Program includes all equipment and participants' take-home manual. Recommended minimum age is 14.

Evening Course: May 27, 29 June 3, 5, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Weekend Course: June 7, 8, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Cost: $145 per course, 15% discount to SCC Members

Visit the CanoeSki website for more information or for registration information.

Paddling Workshops - CanoeSki Discovery Company

These 6-hour workshops will concentrate on developing efficient paddling techniques. CanoeSki offers a 15% discount to SCC members on all of their instructional programs.

Beginner Level: Caters to novice paddlers and those contemplating a summer canoe trip, but who are not confident about performing all the basic strokes efficiently.

Beginner: June 7 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost: $85

Intermediate Level: Reviews the basics and develop advanced strokes. It will appeal to paddlers with some experience or learn-to-canoe "graduates."

Intermediate: June 14 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost: $95

Advanced Level: A prep course in advanced tandem and solo techniques for paddlers wishing to pursue certification or to simply enhance their overall paddling competence.

Advanced: June 15 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost: $105

Location: Lakeview Lake. All equipment included.

Visit the CanoeSki website for more information or for registration information.

Whitewater Primer - CanoeSki Discovery Company

Make the transition from lake to river paddling fun with safety coaching from a certified whitewater instructor.

Start with learning efficient river strokes on flat and slow moving water. Then progress to forward ferries, eddy turns, and river running techniques in faster moving water and rapids. Learn how to identify and avoid whitewater hazards. Develop confidence in controlling a tandem canoe in Class I and II rapids.

Date: Aug. 22 - 24
Cost: $675

Includes: Instruction, meals, canoe/safety equipment, camping gear, and return transportation from Saskatoon

Location: Churchill River

Visit the CanoeSki website for more information or for registration information.

Other Canoeing Courses - Canadian Rivers Adventure Company

• Courses dates and locations are flexible and can be dated to suit your needs.
• For groups of eight or more, special discounts are available (e.g Flatwater approximately $110 per person)
• 10% Savings for Saskatoon Canoe Club members
• Check out their "Paddle at Ness" course (July 16-18 '07)

Other Sources For Lessons

• CanoeSki Discovery Company - Club sponsor offering a variety of courses. SCC members receive 15% off.
• Canadian Rivers Adventure Company - A new company offering a variety of courses at a 10% discount to SCC members.
• Horizons Unlimited - Located right on the Churchill River at Missinipe, Horizon's Unlimited offers a wide array of paddling courses.
• Kingston Kayak Instruction - SCC member and competitive paddler, Viki offers a variety of kayak lessons year-round ranging frmo introductory to advanced courses, as well as rolling and bracing workshops.
• Canadian Ways Canoeing - A variety of paddling lessons, sometimes with hockey thrown into the mix.
• Northern Ways - A variety of instructional programs including canoe yoga and photography in addition to the more standard fare.