Level 2: Essentials of River Canoeing Course Overview The Essentials of River Canoeing course is designed as an introduction to paddling rivers. Participants learn to catch large eddies and perform simple peel outs and ferries, recognize and avoid hazards, perform rescues and respond to emergencies on moving water rivers. This course is appropriate for all types of tandem and/or solo canoes. It can be taught tandem, solo, or both.
If you’re a student who would like a resource to prepare for this course, ACA is pleased to provide a free online paddling safety course, here. A certificate of completion is included!
Course Prerequisites

• Acknowledgment of personal compliance with the ACA Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC)
• Agree to comply with the ACA Code of Conduct
• No prior paddling experience or training is required to participate in this course

Course Duration The course duration should be adjusted to best fit the needs and goals of the participants. Suggested time: Half a day to one day (4-8 hours).
Course Location / Accessible Venues Moving water on rivers rated up to and including class I. A rapid class includes rapids at the lower and upper ends of the difficulty range, designated “-“ and “+”  respectively.
Course Size Tandem: 6 participants : 1 Instructor; with an additional instructor or qualified assistant, the ratio can be 12 : 2. Solo: 5 participants : 1 Instructor; with an additional instructor or qualified assistant, the ratio can be 10 : 2. For additional details, see SEIC Policy Manual Chapter 6.
Instructor This course may be offered by Level 2: Essentials of River Canoeing (or higher) ACA Instructors, Instructor Trainers, or Instructor Trainer Educators.
Succeeding Courses

• Level 3: River Canoeing
• Level 4: Whitewater Canoeing
• Level 5: Advanced Whitewater Canoeing

The following is a general summary of course content for the Essentials of River Canoeing course. The content covered and sequence of instruction should be adjusted to best fit the participant’s needs, class location and time allowance.
Introduction, Expectations, and Logistics:

• Welcome, introductions, paperwork
• Student and Instructor course expectations and limitations
• Course itinerary and site logistics
• Review waiver, assumption of risk, challenge by choice, medical disclosure
• About the ACA
• Life jacket policy (always wear on water)
• Appropriate personal behavior
  • No alcohol / substance abuse
  • Proper etiquette on and off the water
  • Respect private property
  • Practice Leave No Trace ethics

Paddling Environment:

• Wind
• Waves
• Weather
• Water

Personal Preparation:

• Personal ability
• Swimming ability
• Water comfort & confidence
• Fitness, conditioning, and warm up
• Safe paddle and boat handling
• Safety and rescue considerations
• Personal equipment (reviewed by Instructor)

Getting Started:

• Warm-up and stretching
• Personal clothing & equipment
• Car topping: loading and unloading, racks, straps
• Knots: figure 8 or bowline, trucker's hitch and 2 half hitches
• Canoe carries: overhead and suitcase
• Launching / landing from shore or dock
• Canoe trim
• Posture, rocking and balance
• Positions in the canoe (students may select sitting or kneeling stance)
• Concepts of Paddling
• Trip Planning - 6P’s: Prior Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance
• Group Dynamics
• Judgment
• Federal, State and Local laws and regulations
• River etiquette

Equipment:

• Canoe: types, parts, materials
• Paddle: types, parts, materials, sizing, hand position (straight and bent shafts)
• Lifejacket (PFD): types, materials, fit
• Safety equipment
• Group equipment
• Care of equipment
• Optional equipment & outfitting

River Running:

• River Classifications
• Strategies in river running
• How to paddle in current
• Scouting (Boat / Shore)
• Portaging / Lining
• Use of good judgment
• Total awareness of environment
• Group organization on the river
• River Signals / Communication
• Emergency Procedures

Safety & Rescue:

• Responsibility:
  • Group; Individual, Rescuer; Victim
• Rescue Priorities: People, Boats & Gear
• Signals: Whistle, Paddle and Hand
• Group Management / Communication
• Cold Shock, Hypothermia, clothing
• Hyperthermia: hydration, clothing
• Launching and landing in a controlled and safe manner
• Evaluate water confidence and comfort
• Rescue Sequence: (RETHROG)
• Deep water exits: vaulting and slide, no diving
• Controlled capsize
• Swimming a boat to shore
• How to empty a boat full of water
• Canoe over Canoe rescue
• Side by Side (or parallel) rescue
• Re-entry
  • Self & Assisted
  • Heel Hook
  • Rescue Sling
• Towing a swimmer/canoe
• Swimming in current: defensive & aggressive
• Throw rope use
• Basic Wading

Dealing with Hazards:

• River features
• Currents
• Broaching (lean into obstacle)
• Pins and entrapments
• Strainers
• Hydraulics
• Undercut rocks/Ice
• Dams/Flow diversion structures

Strokes:

• Forward
• Forward (w/ stern pry, rudder and J Stroke corrections)
• Back
• Sweeps (forward, reverse)
• Draw (performed with out of water and
• in water recovery)
• Bow Draw (Stationary/Dynamic)
• Cross Bow Draw (Stationary/Dynamic)
• Pry/Push Away

Flat Water Maneuvers:

• Forward: Paddle in a straight line 15-20 boat lengths
• Reverse: Reasonably straight 3-4 boat lengths
• Stop: within 2 boat lengths from good speed
• Turn the canoe from a stationary position 180 to right and left
• Abeam: Sideways both sides 10 FT (3 meters) w/o headway
• Propel the canoe in a figure of 8 course around markers 3-4 boat lengths apart
• Turn the canoe while maintaining forward motion 90 to the right and left
• Turn: Turn in arc while underway with leans
• Switch positions in the canoe

Moving Water River Maneuvers:

• Front ferries
• Eddy turns
• Peel-outs
• C-turns
• S-turns

Conclusion and Wrap Up

• Group debrief / individual feedback
• Course limitations
• Importance of First Aid and CPR
• Importance of additional instruction, practice, and gaining experience
• Importance of appropriate level of safety and rescue training
• Life sport / paddling options
• Local paddling groups / clubs
• Handouts / reference materials
• Participation cards
• ACA membership benefits and join process

© American Canoe Association Date of last revision: 12/8/2023 https://americancanoe.org