ORCKA Canoeing Courses

Basic Canoeing Levels 1 - 4

Course Description

During the course you will be learning a series of paddling strokes, canoe maneuvers, rescues, canoe and water safety. There are no prerequisites for the course, and its a great way for a beginner to learn new skills, or just to brush up on some past skills and knowledge. If your schedule will not allow a two day course, or you just want a basic course, let us know and we can accommodate you. Depending on the weather and temperature of the water, there may be a swimming pool session for the rescue portion of the course on the second day. The weather can be very unpredictable so please dress appropriately for the weather forecast and bring a lunch, water bottle, sun screen, and some snacks.

All the canoes and paddling equipment will be provided. If you have your own canoe, and wish to use it during the course, just let us know at the time you register. At the completion of the course you will receive an ORCKA Basic Canoeing certification that is highly regarded all across Canada.

Course dates may be exclusively reserved by groups, but you must have a minimum of five people. Participant capacity for all courses is ten people accept for the Level 4 course which has a maximum capacity of 5 people per instructor.

Skills Covered:  Basic Canoeing Levels 1 - 4

Course Location and Dates

The courses will be held at Shade's Mill Conservation Area in Cambridge. The courses will start at 8:00 a.m. and run to 4 p.m. each day with a lunch break at mid day. The course fee includes your entry into the Conservation area.

Level 1 - 3 Course Dates 2012	Level 4 Course Dates 2012
May 12 - 13	May 12
May 19 - 20	May 19
May 26 - 27	May 26
June 2 - 3	June 2
June 9 - 10	June 9
June 16 - 17	June 16
June 23 - 24	June 23
Sept 8 - 9	Sept 8
Sept 15 - 16	Sept 15
Sept 22 - 23	Sept 22
Sept 29 - 30	Sept 29
Oct 6 - 7	Oct 6

Course Registration and Cost

2 Day Course ($193.70 incl. tax)

1 Day Course ($107.63 incl. tax)

To register for a course you can either contact us by phone, email, or by mailing us a registration form. Upon receiving your registration request, we will send you an information package containing directions to Shade's Mill Conservation Area, a waiver form, and an assumption of risk form that needs to be completed and returned to us prior to the start of the course. If you need to cancel, you will have up to one week prior to the course date to receive a full refund minus a $40 non-refundable deposit.

Registration Form.doc

Canoe Tripping Levels 1 - 3

Course Description

Canoe Tripping Level 1: provides the opportunity for those who have little to no experience an introduction to canoe tripping.  During the course there will be an emphasis on wilderness canoe camping skills and safety.  This course will prepare you to participate in short canoe trips lead by more experienced canoe trippers.  The course will consist of a 4 day canoe trip within Algonquin Park.  The 1st day of the canoe trip will consist of in class sessions where theory and skills will be discussed and practised while at the first nights campsite.  During the next 3 days participants will paddle and portage through the park where further theory and skills will be expanded and put into practical practise. 

Skills Covered:  Tripping Level 1

 Pre-requisite:  Basic Canoeing Level 1 or equivalent experience. If you do not have any formal paddling experience, a Basic Canoeing course will be incorporated during the course to provide the opportunity to achieve a Basic Canoeing Level 3 certification.

Canoe Tripping Level 2:  provides the experienced canoe tripper with the opportunity to improve their tripping skills under more challenging conditions. Canoe tripping level 1 skills are reviewed and expanded upon and new skills and theory are introduced to enhance the wilderness canoe tripping experiences of the participant. The course involves a canoe trip stressing organization, safety, and introduces the fundamental concepts of leadership, and risk and crisis management. Canoe Tripping Level 2 is applicable to tandem and solo canoe paddling participants. All participants will be give the opportunity to paddle a loaded canoe solo.

Skills Covered:  Tripping Level 2

Pre-requisites:  Canoe Tripping Level 1, and Basic Canoeing Level 3; equivalent certification or comparable skills and experience (with the permission of the Course Director).

Canoe Tripping Level 3:   provides a provincial certifications of competence in the planning and leadership of wilderness canoe trip expeditions. Canoe Tripping Level 1 and Level 2 skills are expanded upon and new skills and theory are introduced to enhance the leadership ability and potential of the participants. The course involves a canoe trip, stressing organization, safety, leadership, risk and crisis management.

Skills Covered:  Tripping Level 3

Pre-requisites for Canoe Tripping Level 3:  are that you have the Canoe Tripping Level 2, Canadian Style Paddling Level 1, and River Running Level 1A (tandem) or Moving Water Level 1A (tandem), equivalent certification or comparable skills and experience (with the permission of the Course Director. Evidence of at least 25 nights of wilderness canoe tripping experience, wilderness canoe tripping distances of 500 km, at least 6 canoe trips in which the participant was responsible for some of the organization and leadership and at least on wilderness canoe trip of 5 days or more. You need to be at least 17 years of age to qualify for the Canoe Tripping Level 3 certification.

Course Location and Dates:    

Canoe Tripping Level 1/2         July 27 - 30, 2012  ($350 + HST)

The 1st day is scheduled  for covering canoe tripping theory and camping skills.  The resulting 3 days will be spent participating in a canoe trip where further theory will be discussed and practical camping skills to be practised.  The course participants will also have the opportunity to acheive a Basic Canoeing Level 3 certification.

The first day will be held at Rain Lake access point within Algonquin Park.  The course participants will meet at the Permit office within the town of Kearney or at a predetermined meeting location on July 27th.  All extra costs of food, permits, canoe rentals, and other trip expenses will be covered by the group.

Canoe Tripping Level 2/3  May 26 - July 8, 2012 ($500+HST)

The course will be held at Shade's Mill Conservation Area in Cambridge.  Theory, demonstration of skills, presentations, and pre trip planning will be covered over 2 weekends (May 26 - 27 and June 2 - 3). The course will start at 9:00 a.m. and run to 5 p.m. each day with a lunch break at mid day. There will also be a 3 day canoe trip (July 6 - 8) where further theory, practical skills, and presentations will be completed.   The course fee includes your entry into the Conservation area.

The extra cost of trip food, permits, canoe rentals, and any other trip expenses will be covered by the group.

Course Registration and Cost

You can register for the course via our online registration form or you can download a Registration Form and mail/email it to our office. Upon receiving your registration form, we will send you an information package containing directions to Shade's Mill Conservation Area, a waiver form, and an assumption of risk form that needs to be completed and returned to us prior to the start of the course. If you need to cancel, you will have up to 2 weeks prior to the course date to receive a full refund minus a $40 non-refundable deposit.

Canoe Tripping Level 1     $350.00

Canoe Tripping Level 2     $500.00

Canoe Tripping Level 3     $500.00