Canoe Performance Award

Please contact us to discuss other dates if those on the calendar do not suit. We are happy to put on a course for a small group.

Overview:

There are three main elements to open canoeing technique - boat, body and blade. If you get the boat right, the body and blade will have to do less work. Once we get the body right then the blade falls into place.

Open canoe paddling is the most diverse paddlesport discipline because we can explore a variety of environments from the seat of an open canoe. Performance canoeists have a good understanding of how to move a canoe in open water, in wind up to force three and on easy white water.

One of the joys of open canoe paddling is the fluidity and grace with which a 16ft craft can be guided, through the skill of a paddler, with one long blade. To attain this skill can at first be difficult, but at Wild River we can help you to begin mastering the art!  We will teach you more than just strokes. We will show you good techniques and make sure you know when and how to apply them.

Course Content:

We will cover all aspects of the syllabus helping you to acquire the basic skills for open canoeing. Like all our coaching we aim to give you straightforward options that will work in all environments.

We will look at the following during the course:

• Forwards paddling for cruising and accelerating.
• Backwards for slowing down or reversing.
• Steering in close quarters.
• Moving sideways.
• Harnessing the wind to aid you on open water journeys.
• Using river features to move around the river.

You can attend our course as a training session or as an assessment, or perhaps both. You will receive two days of coaching in the skills needed for open water and white water paddling on grade two rivers.  All candidates leave the course with a clear, precise and personalised action plan; safe in the knowledge that they have a range of techniques that are effective and safe.

Location:

This course will take place in Cumbria. For the majority of our courses the meeting points / venues will vary depending on weather conditions and water levels. The most commonly used lakes are Ullswater, Derwentwater and Windermere. Favourite spots would include Glenridding at the southend of Ullswater, the river Eden north of Penrith, Middle Derwent near Keswick, Lune near Kirkby Lonsdale, Kent through Kendal and the Leven near Newby Bridge.