6-Rivers Wilderness Adventures
offers certification courses based on the Ontario Recreational
Canoe Association (ORCA) guidelines in Flatwater and
Canoe Tripping. These courses are suited for new or
seasoned paddlers.
Flatwater Courses are
usually held as half-day courses with equipment, meals
and course materials provided. You will need to bring
appropriate clothing for the season and weather expected
(refer to our equipment
list for details), sleeping gear / personal items
if combining courses over a weekend.
One may proceed through the skill levels and not
participate in the instructor levels.
The Flatwater Level is designed
to introduce the novice or relatively inexperienced
canoeist to paddling. The emphasis is on mastering the
fundamentals of canoeing along with a strong grounding
in water safety and safe canoeing practices.
Prerequisites
There are no canoeing prerequisites for Flatwater
Level.
Minimum Course Length
- Flatwater (A, B, C and D combined into one course) -
16 hours
- Flatwater A, Flatwater B or Flatwater C (each course,
done individually) - 4 hours
- Flatwater Tandem (A, B and C combined into one course)
- 10 hours
- Flatwater Solo (D) - 6 hours
Safety
Swimming and treading water
Retrieving a swamped canoe
Canoe over canoe rescue
Reentering canoe
Theory
Selection of equipment
Equipment knowledge
Equipment care
Government regulations
Safe canoeing procedures
Outdoor precautions
Environmental awareness
Windy weather precautions
Canoeing history |
Skills (tandem)
Launching and removing canoe
Entering and exiting canoe
Paddling positions and trimming
Balancing
Changing positions
PivotsSideward displacement
Forward straight line
Inside and outside turns
Inside and outside circles
Stopping Inside and outside landings
Reverse straight line
Lifts and carries
Transporting canoe on vehicle
Canoe tour
Skills (solo)
All of the above items, except:
balancing, changing positions, pivots, transporting
canoe on vehicle and canoe tour |
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Canoe Tripping Courses
These are six or seven day programs which can, and often
are, split into theory / skill development, and an actual
expedition over two long weekends. Level I courses focus
on personal skills and those needed for safe and enjoyable
expeditions while Level II courses enhance those learned
in Level and examine leadership and risk management in
more detail.
Canoe Tripping Level 1 provides
an introduction to canoe tripping for those with little
or no tripping experience. Emphasis is on wilderness canoe
camping skills and safety.
Prerequisites
ORCA Flatwater Level, equivalent certification or comparable
skills and experience (with the permission of the Course
Director).
Minimum Course Length
- Canoe Tripping 1 (excluding overnight canoe trip)
- 12 hours
- Canoe Tripping 1A (excluding overnight canoe trip) - 8
hours
- Canoe Tripping 1B (excluding overnight canoe trip) - 8
hours
Safety
Swimming and treading water
Retrieving a swamped canoe
Canoe over canoe rescue
Self rescue Line toss and rescue
Communications
Theory
Canoeing heritage
Canoe design and construction
Trip planning
Canoe tripping gear
Clothing and personal effects
Tools and repair kits
Canoeing first aid
Weather interpretation
Environmental practices and concerns
Canoeing resources |
Skills
Canoeing
Food and menu planning
Packing
Navigation
Campsites and shelters
Fires and stoves
Knots and lashings
Portaging
Canoe trip |
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Canoe Tripping Level II
Canoe Tripping Level 2 provides the experienced canoe
tripper with the opportunity to improve his/her canoe
tripping skills under more challenging conditions. Canoe
Tripping Level 1 skills are reviewed and expanded upon;
new skills and theory are introduced to enhance the
leadership ability and potential of the candidate. The
Course involves a canoe trip, stressing organization,
safety, leadership, and risk and crisis management.
Prerequisites
ORCA Canoe Tripping Level 1, Lakewater Level 1A and
Moving Water Level 1A, equivalent certification or comparable
skills and experience (with the permission of the Course
Director). At least 25 nights of wilderness canoe tripping
experience, which include the following: canoe tripping
distances totaling at least 500 km, at least 6 canoe
trips in which the candidate was responsible for some
of the organization, and at least one wilderness canoe
trip of 5 days or more. At least 17 years of age at
the time of the Canoe Tripping Level 2 Course.
Minimum Course Length
- Canoe Tripping 2 (excluding 2 night canoe trip)
- 24 hours
Safety
Review of previous safety items
Swimming and treading water
Artificial respiration using a canoe
Canoe over canoe rescue
Self rescue Line toss and rescue
Communications
Theory
Review of previous theory items
Canoeing History
Canoe design and construction
Canoe repair and maintenance
Wilderness First Aid
Weather interpretation
Trip planning, reporting and assessment
Trip leadership
Risk management
Crisis Management |
Skills
Review of previous skills items
Canoeing
Food and menu planning
Navigation Knots, hitches, lashings and ropes
Portaging Lining, tracking and wading
Canoe trip |
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