Introduction to Whitewater Tandem
2024 Dates | # of Days | Cost | Skill Level |
|---|---|---|---|
July 12 , August 3, August 31 | 3 | $895 | Beginner |
Get Signed Up For This Activity
July 12 , August 3, August 31
Start Date
3
Duration (days)
$895
Cost
Beginner
Skill Level
Day 0
Arrive in Missinipe accomodations provided in paddlers Hostel
Day 1:
8:30 am Meet at the Churchill River Canoe Outfitters office in Missinpe:
paper work
introductions
Drive to Devil Lake boat launch and paddle upstream
Arrive at Barker Island and set up Base Camp.
Lunch
Flatwater Review
Rescues
Intro to Whitewater strokes and maneuvers
Introduction to River Reading
Launching and Landing in Current
Supper
Day 2
8:00 am Breakfast
Upstream Ferry and Eddy Turns
Upstream and Downstream Lining
River Reading - safe downstream runs
Lunch
Practice Eddy Turns and Ferries
Throw Bag Rescues
Self Rescues
Introduce Back Ferrying
7:00 pm Supper
Day 3: August 8
8:00 am Breakfast - pack up camp
Practice maneuvers
Lunch
Area tour - Rapid Classification Practice
Descent to Barker Island
Pickup gear
Continue on down to Devil Lake
4:30 pm Pick up at boat launch
5:30 pm Barbeque for those who can stay
Theory discussions
·Moving water - canoe, paddle design and construction
·Basic canoe repair
·Department of transport regulations
·PFD selection
·Rescue Breathing
·Hypothermia and Overexposure (heat exhaustion and heat stroke)
Itinerary
Don't let the term "Intro" fool you! Commonly people who have been paddling whitewater for years think that their skills are too advanced for this course. Not true at all. This course introduces technical skills required for challenging ferries and S-turns in difficult rapids, and these skills are usually learned by simply shooting Class II or even Class III rapids. Experienced recreational paddlers, even those with many years of canoe tripping under their belts, will benefit greatly from this course, and it is a prerequisite for taking the Intermediate course. It is not advised to try to skip into the upper levels. Take this short course, then practise, practise, practise and you should be ready in a season or two for your Intermediate course.
IS THIS COURSE RIGHT FOR ME?
Since this is only a very short school it is important to come with the required skills in order to allow the school to run smoothly. These are the prerequisites:
You are a good swimmer and are not afraid of water; you have Lake Water Intermediate Paddle Canada Certification. (You can paddle a straight line in the stern of the canoe without switching sides; you know the following strokes: bow, J, sweep, bow draws and pries).
If you are unsure that you skills are up to par to take this course you can enrol in our Pre Course. This Pre Course happens the day before the whitewater course is scheduled to begin. The cost is $125 per person. The course begins at 9:00 am and ends around 4:00 pm. If you are interested in the Pre Course please specify it in the notes at the end of your registration form. Link below.
PRE-REQUISITE SKILLS
Safety Knowledge: canoe over canoe rescue, rescue breathing, throw bag rescues, self- rescue, retrieving a swamped canoe.
Strokes: river J, both high and low braces, bow draw and cross bow draw.
Demonstrate: (in class I and easy class II rapids): front ferrying, eddy turns, S turns, back ferrying, entering & exiting a canoe, landing in a current, side slip, front surf, portaging, lining, tracking & wading.
Theory: canoe and environmental ethics, river running theory, reading white water, knowledge of river classification, canoe heritage, canoe design and constructio
TESTING TERMS
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BRING?
This course teaches the skills that competent flat-water paddlers need in order to maneuver safely in easy to intermediate level rapids. During the course you'll learn eddy turns, S turns and front ferries, as well as back ferries and surfing. Participants will practice canoe-over-canoe and throw bag rescues. At the end of this course, you'll be able to recognize and avoid hazards in Class I and II water, opening up many tripping possibilities for you!
If you have a group interested in such a course, contact us. We can run a private course for you!