People want common sense paddling courses that allow them to enjoy the river with competent skills. Canoe certification courses are good, but sometimes the technicality is more then what the average person wants. On-river-instruction with certified canoe instructors teaches safe ways to enter/exit canoes, how to steer a canoe without switching sides, handy canoe stroke techniques and canoe rescues. There is also a review of basic equipment needed, what to look for in canoe purchase and what to pack as a simple safety precaution. These four hour course are filled with practical hands-on experience as a canoe trip is done on the river.
Many people that paddle lakes think they are prepared to canoe a river. Lakes do not have speed and they do not have the force of water moving around and over obstacles at sudden depth changes. This unfamiliarity is a potential danger to any lake canoeist. River novices would be wise to take a canoe lesson with an instructor.
Proper canoe lessons on a river teach how to read water, a technique not required on lakes. A canoeist that knows what they are looking at makes the best decisions of where to go. Just understanding what a “v” spear head looks like helps avoid rocks and knowing that “v” cones in the same direction is the deepest channel. Recognizing the simple “v” patterns on water makes paddling a river enjoyable. There is nothing worse then struggling with the same mistakes and not knowing why.
The Grand River in Paris, is probably one of the best novice rivers in Ontario to do river canoe lessons. It has a little bit of everything; there is fast water, slow water, waves and eddies. The river averages one meter in depth and is wide for maneuvering and forgiving. Beginner canoeist can take on-river-instructional canoe courses here and gain knowledge of how to read a river. The right read gives the right decisions for staying off rocks, keeping dry and traveling with ease. With a skilled instructor traveling along side… technique mistakes are quickly caught; water reading decisions are corrected and added coaching builds confidence.
The uniqueness of on-river-instruction is that the learning canoeist can do a river trip at the same time. The taste of the wilderness around them is like a dangling carrot to experience more. With each stroke the world changes... not only in beauty but in the confidence to effectively steer the canoe. The transformation from being unsure and scared at the start… to the pride of accomplishment upon completion is what a good canoe lesson is all about.
Garth Pottruff is an ORCA certified canoe instructor. He discovered that many people attending ORCA certfied courses were overloaded with knowledge they did not need. So he came up with a common sense canoe lesson where people could learn to canoe while doing a trip down the river. This is a market that people want. Garth still does on-river-instruction. He teaches fast water canoeing techniques and flat water canoeing to individuals, couples and family groups. His teaching skills, communication and feedback enhance the ability to learn. He creates a teaching environment that is relaxing, enjoyable and forgiving. His goal is for the beginner to learn with confidence... so that when done they can do a trip on their own. Garth and his family own the Grand River Rafting Company that specializes not only in canoe lessons but many other learning adventures. If wishing to contact Garth or learn more about the programs he teaches visit http://www.grandriverrafting.ca or call toll free 1-866-286-7722 |
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