Saskatoon Canoe Club Courses


Courses / Lessons 2011 If you have any questions regarding any of the courses, have suggestions for other courses that should be offered, or would like to offer your expertise to instruct a course contact an executive member. Courses and lesson planning is underway and the details of when and what type of courses offered in 2011 will be posted here as they become available. In any case the annual SCC open house scheduled for Sunday May 1st from 12 to 4 at the Victoria Boat House is the place to sign up for the courses. First come, First Served!

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 in John Avant Park (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 Course 1: May 16th and 17th Course 2: May 24th and 31th This course is for anyone who needs the basics. (max. of 10 participants) Stroke Improvement Course 1: May 18th and 19th Course 2: May 25 and June 1st You know the basics, and you’re ready for more. (max. of 10 participants) Solo Basics Course 1: May 26th and June 2nd Five of you want to go on a trip so you’ll paddle alone! (max. of 6 participants) To register: Initial registration for all courses will take place at the SCC Open House on May 1st on a first-come/first-served basis; payment of cash or cheque will count as registered. After the open house registrations will be accepted at the Tuesday night orientations from 7:00 pm until 7:30 pm. Any questions? email the recreation director. You will be considered registered upon receipt of the $20 fee.There will be no refunds after the calendar date one week prior to the first lesson date, for example if the lesson begins on July 8th, then July 1st is the last day to remove yourself from the lesson set and receive a refund.

Lake Canoe Skills Paddle Canada, Lake Canoe Skills Instructor: Bill Morris Course Date: May 28th and May 29th 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: This course will be registered with Paddle Canada as Lake Canoe Skills Tandem Introductory/Intermediate and Lake Canoe Skills Solo Introductory/ Intermediate. Participants may take tandem, solo, or some of each. The level reached by the participant depends on the skill coming into the course and how fast skills develop. Paddlers with higher skills may progress at a faster rate. While we encourage participants to have their certification registered with Paddle Canada, participants may take part in the course without the Paddle Canada registration. Outlines of the courses may seen at paddlecanada.com. 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: Initial registration for all courses will take place at the SCC Open House on May 1st on a first-come/first-served basis; payment of cash or cheque will count as registered. After the open house registrations will be accepted at the Tuesday night orientations from 7:00 pm until 7:30 pm. Any questions? email the recreation director. You will be considered registered upon receipt of the $50 fee.There will be no refunds after the calendar date one week prior to the first lesson date, for example if the lesson begins on July 8th, then July 1st is the last day to remove yourself from the lesson set and receive a refund. limit of 10 participants.

Kayak Lessons Intro Kayak Clinic (4 hours) Instructor: Bryan Sarauer, Coldspring Paddling Course Date: Several dates in May and June depending on demand Course Location: Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre (1110 Idylwyld Drive North); also a lake session at a to be determined location. Course Description This introductory kayak workshop gives students an opportunity to try out kayaking for the firsti time in a controlled setting. It gives them some of the most basic concepts used in recreational flatwater kayaking but is not designed to be a comprehensive course. Participants will be introduced to the basics of kayaking rescue techniques (how to get back in your kayak after a mishap), will learn how to launch a kayak, and will be introduced to kayak strokes. This brief course is really intended to give a taste of kayaking for those that are uncertain. The full Introduction to Kayaking course (below) will give a better foundation upon which to build kayaking skills for the future. Students will be contacted in advance of the course start and provided with more information about what to expect and how to prepare for the course. To register: Initial registration for all courses will take place at the SCC Open House on May 1st on a first-come/first-served basis; payment of cash or cheque will count as registered. After the open house registrations will be accepted at the Tuesday night orientations from 7:00 pm until 7:30 pm. Any questions? email the recreation director. Limit of 6 participants per session. The cost is $50.00 per person. Paddle Canda Certified Introduction to Kayaking (8 hours+) Instructor: Bryan Sarauer, Coldspring Paddling Course Date: Several dates in May and June depending on demand Course Location: Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre (1110 Idylwyld Drive North); also a lake session at a to be determined location. Course Description Introduction to Kayaking introduces the novice to paddling a kayak in calm, sheltered water. Participants will learn assisted rescue techniques, forward and reverse paddling, basic manoeuvring paddle strokes, and how to carry a kayak. Additionally, students will be introduced to boat design, paddling clothing and safety equipment, equipment care, and injury prevention. Rescue techniques at this level incorporate the use of a paddling partner and it is essential for all Introduction to Kayaking certified paddlers to travel on the water with others who have been trained in the techniques of assisted rescues. Students will be contacted in advance of the course start and provided with more information about what to expect and how to prepare for the course. Further details about the course can be found on the Paddle Canada website To register: Initial registration for all courses will take place at the SCC Open House on May 1st on a first-come/first-served basis; payment of cash or cheque will count as registered. After the open house registrations will be accepted at the Tuesday night orientations from 7:00 pm until 7:30 pm. Any questions? email the recreation director. Limit of 6 participants per session. The cost is $100.00 per person.

Paddling Courses by CanoeSki Discovery Company SCC members receive a 15% discount on all courses offered by CanoeSki Discovery Company. Courses include: Learn To Canoe - evening & weekend courses available Paddling Workshops - Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced courses Whitewater Primer - Weekend course on the Churchill River Wilderness Navigation by Map and Compass - Weekend course with classroom and outdoor component For more information on CanoeSki course offerings, visit their instruction page

Other Sources For Lessons 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 from 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 familiar fare.