Canoeing
ORCKA Canoeing programs are designed for new paddlers and master paddlers alike - For calm water, white water, river running and tripping - in a group or paddle alone.
Our member courses cover all levels and water ways.
With the right canoe and paddle skills you can visit the most serene and beautiful places in Ontario.
Basic Canoeing program
The Basic Canoeing program is a great way to get started. Learn the essentials of safety on the water, canoe carrying and transportation, launching, and of course paddling the canoe! Take one level at a time, or sign up for the entire Basic program over a weekend or two.
Core Skills:
Launching and Removing; Entering and Exiting; Pivots; Sideward Displacement; Forward Straight Line and Stop; Reverse Straight Line and Stop; Turns; Circles; Landings; Lifts and Carries
Prerequisites to enter Level 1:
No previous experience required
Basic Canoeing Courses:
Basic Canoeing Level 1 – Introduction to Tandem Canoeing
Basic Canoeing Level 2 – Basic Tandem Skill Development
Basic Canoeing Level 3 – Advanced Tandem Skill Development
Basic Canoeing Level 4 – Introduction to Solo Canoeing
Basic Canoeing – Tandem & Solo (Level 1, 2,3, and 4)
Canadian Style Paddling
Canadian Style Paddling introduces paddlers to more sophisticated control of the canoe.
Core Skills:
Pivots; Landings; Circles; Sideward Displacement; Forward and Reverse Straight Line; Stopping
Prerequisites to enter Level 1:
ORCKA Basic Canoeing, or equivalent certification, comparable skills, and experience (with permission of the course instructors).
Canadian Style Paddling Courses:
Canadian Style Paddling Level 1 – Introduction
Canadian Style Paddling Level 2 – Skill Development
Canadian Style Paddling Level 3 – Tandem and Solo Advanced Skills
Moving Water
Ready to wade into the world of white water canoeing? ORCKA’s Moving Water progression is a great way to start.
Core Skills:
Eddy Turn and Peel Out; Ferry [Front, Back, Jet]; Surf; S-Turn; Cross-Stream Momentum and Edge Transfer; Quick-Start; Running Rapids Under Power; Running Drops; Braces and Rolling
Prerequisites to enter Level 1:
ORCKA Basic Canoeing, or equivalent certification, comparable skills, and experience (with permission of the course instructors).
Moving Water Courses:
Moving Water Level 1 – Introduction to Moving Water
Moving Water Level 2 – Skill Development
Moving Water Level 3 – Advanced Moving Water Skills
River Running
ORCKA canoeing courses and discipline designed for paddling loaded tripping canoes, tandem and solo, on day long or multi-day river trips.
Core Skills:
Eddy Turn and Peel Out; Ferry [Front, Back, Jet]; Surf; S-Turn; Running Rapids Under Power; Braces and Rolling
Prerequisites to enter Level 1:
ORCKA Basic Canoeing, or equivalent certification, comparable skills, and experience (with permission of the course instructors).
River Running Courses:
River Running Level 1 – Introduction to River Running
River Running Level 2 – Skill Development
River Running Level 3 – Advanced River Running Skills
Canoe Tripping
A successful canoe trip starts with the right knowledge and proper planning. The ORCKA Canoe Tripping programs begin with a basic half-day introduction to canoe tripping and build on skills all the way up to leading trips and instructing trip leaders.
Core Skills:
Canoeing; Portaging; Lining, tracking, wading, poling; Food and Menu Planning; Navigation ; Knots, Lashings, Ropes; Risk Management and Emergency Response; Leadership (Level 3)
Prerequisites:
No previous experience required to begin
Canoe Tripping Courses:
Canoe Tripping Level 1 - Introduction to Canoe Tripping
Canoe Tripping Level 2 - Skill Development
Canoe Tripping Level 3 - Canoe Trip Leader
**Canoe Tripping (CT) Courses are for trips with Class I waters only as outlined by the International Scale of River Difficulty (ISRD). CT Level 2 and 3 can be combined with Moving Water and River Running certifications to allow for Trips on higher class waterways.