Personal Skill Development

As instructors we are often asked "which course of course should I take?" or "what would I get out of it?". The chart below suggests levels of certifications for a variety of canoeing situations.

 

TYPE OF RECREATIONAL CANOEING
SUGGESTED RCABC COURSE OR CERTIFICATION
COMMENTS
 
 
 
     
Ocassional calm water lake canoeist.
Lakewater Level 1 Basic Tandem or
Lakewater Level 2 Basic Solo
(if paddling solo)
These are the most commonly taught courses with RCABC. Most people that have some previous canoeing experience can still benefit some from these courses because they are very thorough.
 
 
 
 
 

Lake canoeists going in exposed, larger bodies of water or considering getting into river canoeing.

Lakewater Level 3 Advanced Tandem or
Lakewater Level 4 Advanced Solo
(if paddling solo)
Advanced Lakewater courses give you the ability to manouever quickly to handle more difficult water conditions. Moving water certificates include the advanced Lakewater strokes.
 
 
 
 
 
Basic river canoeing and basic playboating
Moving Water Level 1 Tandem or
Moving Water Level 2 Solo
Moving water canoeing courses are highly recommended for anyone going river canoeing in BC. With no previous experience, learning basic skills on non-moving water is required.
 
 
 
 
 
Lake Tripping - overnight camping, long trips
Canoe Tripping Paddler Level
and (preferably)
Lakewater Level 3 or 4 (tandem/solo)
Includes camping skills, navigation, weather and open water skills, food preparation, Leave No Trace, portaging, etc.
 
 
 
 
 
River Tripping - overnight camping, long trips
Canoe Tripping Paddler Level with Moving Water Endorsement
(Moving Water Level 1 is a prerequisite)
With added safety precations for river this certification includes camping skills, navigation, weather and open water skills, food preparation, Leave No Trace, portaging, etc.
 
 
 
 
 
Solo Whitewater Playboating, surfing, hole playing, rolling and technical paddling Advanced Moving Water Level IV If you already know the basics in a solo canoe this course will expand your ability to have fun using the features on whitewater rivers and playspots.

 

 

 

   
Tandem Whitewater Playboating, surfing, and playing the river in tandem Advanced Moving Water Level III If you already know the basics in a tandem canoe this course will expand your ability to have fun using the features on whitewater rivers and playspots.

 

 

 

   
Ocean trips including overnight camping Ocean Canoeing Paddler Level This is typically taught as an overnight trip, learning about tides, currents, navigation and other tripping skills. Similar to a Tripping Level, but in the ocean environment.

 

 

 

   

Any river canoeists on moving water with hazards

RCABC River Rescue Level 1&2 If you spend time on the river, knowing rescue skills and being comfortable with rescue situations helps keep you and your group safe.
     
Big Canoe trips with club or brigade Big Canoe Paddler Level This course covers the basics of how to work together as a team, with an experienced leader in charge of manuoeuvres, pace and navigation.

 

 

 

   
Canoe poling on lakes or exploring rivers in a new way

Canoe Poling Lakewater
Canoe Poling Movingwater

Canoe poling is a new and fun way to expand your canoeing skills and experience.

 

 

 

   
River Canoeists or Kayakers looking for a new challenge

C1 Lakewater Introduction and
C1 River Running

C1 adds a whole new dimension to the canoeing strokes that you know.

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