Canoeing Instructor
Courses

learn to teach canoeing!

Learning how to teach canoeing is one of the best ways to improve your own technique and prepare you for paddling trips with family and friends. We offer courses sanctioned by Paddle Canada and/or the Recreational Canoeing Association of British Columbia (RCABC). Please get in contact with us if you don’t see a course scheduled or if you have a group wishing to certify. An IMPORTANT note: we endeavor to run each type of instructor/leader/guide course every three years on a rotating basis – so PLEASE get your name on our notification list if you don’t see the course you’re wanting scheduled. Also, please ask us about apprenticeship programs if you don’t find the course you’re looking for.

Moving Water Instructor CourseS

Courses sanctioned by the Recreational Canoe Association of BC, or Paddle Canada. Depending on prior experience, courses are 2-6 days in duration.

Tuition: $610 + GST

Lake Water Instructor Courses

Courses sanctioned by the Recreational Canoe Association or Paddle Canada. Depending on prior experience, courses are 2-6 days in duration.

Tuition: $610 + GST

Moving Water instructor courses

We offer moving water instructor courses sanctioned by the RCABC or by Paddle Canada.

These courses are intended for:

Individuals interested in becoming a professional canoe guide or instructor – with a focus on river (moving water) courses and trips.
Existing instructors wishing to re-certify.
Recreational paddlers who really want to level-up their own paddling skills and experience.

MOVING WATER COURSES OFFERED:

Tandem Moving Water Canoe Instructor (basic & advanced) up to 6 days depending on course
River Rescue Instructor (qualified to teach RCABC River Rescue Level 1 & 2 courses)
Solo Moving Water Canoe Instructor
Re-certifications may be available. Get in touch!

Course Content

COURSE CONTENT WILL BE SPECIFIC TO EACH LEVEL AND WILL INCLUDE:

Teaching strokes, theory and manoeuvers
Teaching methods and group management
Group safety and leadership
Risk management
Rescues of paddlers, boats and equipment

Certifications Offered

MOVING WATER CANOEING CERTIFICATIONS OFFERED (dependent upon course):

Paddle Canada Introduction Tandem Moving Water Canoeing Instructor
RCABC Basic Tandem Moving Water Instructor
RCABC Advanced Tandem Moving Water Instructor
RCABC Basic River Rescue Instructor
RCABC Advanced River Rescue Instructor

Prerequisites

Intermediate or level 2 tandem moving water canoeing skills course (or equivalent experience).
Candidates are required to purchase a RCABC Instructor membership – see here for details

Location

Moving water instructor courses will be held on sections of the Lower and/or Middle Shuswap River (near Vernon, BC) unless otherwise specified

Course Dates

Check Course Dates
HERE

Course Duration

4 days

Cost

from $610 + GST /person

Prerequisites

Intermediate Tandem moving water skills course, or equivalent with Instructor Trainer’s consent.

Private group courses available

If you don't see a course scheduled...

We would still love to hear from you!

We endeavor to run each type of instructor/leader/guide course every three years on a rotating basis – so if you don’t see the course you’re wanting scheduled PLEASE get your name on our notification list and we’ll let you know if a course gets added!

Also, please ask us about apprenticeship programs if you don’t find the course you’re looking for.

Lake water instructor courses

sanctioned by Recreational
canoe association of bc

These courses are intended for:

individuals interested in pursuing professional work as a canoeing instructor or guide with a focus on flatwater (lake) canoeing courses and trips
existing instructors wishing to re-certify
youth organizations, school teachers, club leaders, and outdoor program instructors or leaders
University/College outdoor program students
Recreational canoeists wanting to up their game!

Course Content

COURSE CONTENT WILL BE SPECIFIC TO EACH LEVEL AND WILL INCLUDE:

Teaching methods and group management
Group safety and leadership
Risk management
Solo and tandem rescues
Teaching strokes, theory and manoeuvers

Certifications Offered

RCABC Basic Tandem and Solo Lakewater Canoeing Instructor
RCABC Advanced Tandem and Solo Lakewater Canoeing Instructor

Prerequisites

Basic (level 1) solo and tandem lakewater canoe skills (for basic instructor)
Advanced (level 2) solo, and tandem lakewater canoe skills (for advanced instructor)
Candidates are required to purchase a RCABC Instructor membership – see here for details

Location

Our lake instructor courses will usually take place on Okanagan lake near Vernon BC. We may also include other locations such as Kalamalka Lake, Swan Lake, or Sugar Lake. We can also come to you!

Course Itinerary

A TYPICAL LAKEWATER INSTRUCTOR COURSE ITINERARY:

Day 1 – Advanced Tandem Lakewater Skills
Day 2 – Advanced Solo Lakewater Skills
Day 3 – Course on Basic Tandem Instruction
Day 4 – Course on Basic Solo Instruction