UPDATE. Lessons for 2018 will be on June 2-3.
These lessons are appropriate for those who are new to canoeing as well as those that have paddled some on a lake or perhaps floated down an easy stretch of Class 1 water like the Wapiti at low to medium water levels.
This is a 2-day lesson with the first day on a lake (the Bear Creek reservoir in Grande Prairie) and day 2 on an easy river like the Simonette River at the Forestry Trunk Road CG.
Learn all of these strokes: forward, reverse, draw, pry, sweep, reverse sweep, crossbow draw, brace, J (lake and river), check and rudder. Learn the purpose of each stroke and which situations to use them to steer the canoe where you want to go and not to where the river wants to push your boat which are often alarmingly different directions, such as into logjams and sweepers (trees leaning out just above the water level). Learn all the information you need to competently canoe on lakes and Class 1 rivers.
We'll also cover eddy turns and peel outs (from eddies), ferries (crossing a fast river without slipping downstream, side slipping using draws and prys, tossing a throwbag and rescuing overturned, runaway canoes.
On a previous weekday evening we'll watch an instructional video on canoeing, discuss appropriate clothing and practice a simulated T-rescue (canoe over canoe) on dry land.
These lessons are conducted only once per year. The cost is $75 for club members, Non-members wanting to take these lessons must purchase an annual club membership which is only $15/single and $25/couple or family.
Canoes, paddles and PFD's are provided (so space is limited) although you are encouraged to bring your own.
Please come prepared with the appropriate clothing and gear: wind shell, jacket or fleece, rain jacket and pants, old runners that will get wet while wading, wool or thermal socks, day pack, dry clothing and shoes for the trip home, sunhat, towel, sunglasses and sunscreen, water bottle, logbook and pen if you wish to take notes and a bag lunch. Avoid cotton clothing which will not dry all day if it gets wet. Synthetic, i.e. fleece is preferrable.
If you are registering as a single we will partner you up with someone else so there will be 2 people in each tandem canoe.
Please call Harvey at 780-532-5370 or email me at hbiehn@telus.net for more information or to register.
These lessons are appropriate for those who are new to canoeing as well as those that have paddled some on a lake or perhaps floated down an easy stretch of Class 1 water like the Wapiti at low to medium water levels.
This is a 2-day lesson with the first day on a lake (the Bear Creek reservoir in Grande Prairie) and day 2 on an easy river like the Simonette River at the Forestry Trunk Road CG.
Learn all of these strokes: forward, reverse, draw, pry, sweep, reverse sweep, crossbow draw, brace, J (lake and river), check and rudder. Learn the purpose of each stroke and which situations to use them to steer the canoe where you want to go and not to where the river wants to push your boat which are often alarmingly different directions, such as into logjams and sweepers (trees leaning out just above the water level). Learn all the information you need to competently canoe on lakes and Class 1 rivers.
We'll also cover eddy turns and peel outs (from eddies), ferries (crossing a fast river without slipping downstream, side slipping using draws and prys, tossing a throwbag and rescuing overturned, runaway canoes.
On a previous weekday evening we'll watch an instructional video on canoeing, discuss appropriate clothing and practice a simulated T-rescue (canoe over canoe) on dry land.
These lessons are conducted only once per year. The cost is $75 for club members, Non-members wanting to take these lessons must purchase an annual club membership which is only $15/single and $25/couple or family.
Canoes, paddles and PFD's are provided (so space is limited) although you are encouraged to bring your own.
Please come prepared with the appropriate clothing and gear: wind shell, jacket or fleece, rain jacket and pants, old runners that will get wet while wading, wool or thermal socks, day pack, dry clothing and shoes for the trip home, sunhat, towel, sunglasses and sunscreen, water bottle, logbook and pen if you wish to take notes and a bag lunch. Avoid cotton clothing which will not dry all day if it gets wet. Synthetic, i.e. fleece is preferrable.
If you are registering as a single we will partner you up with someone else so there will be 2 people in each tandem canoe.
Please call Harvey at 780-532-5370 or email me at hbiehn@telus.net for more information or to register.
Beginner/Novice Lessons
Practicing upstream ferries on a faster section of water on the Simonette River