Teaching Notes and Resources for Style Canoe Courses

Teaching Resource Documents

Overview and Terminology

Style canoeing is typically done in a small, protected area with little wind or current, the ability to control a canoe precisely has direct application in more general lake and moving water situations. Many moving water canoeists practice style paddling techniques to hone their skills and apply them in swift water conditions.

At the intermediate and advanced level participants should expect to practice and spend time in routine development outside of the direct contact instruction time. Instructors may want to include this time as part of the course (for example, Intermediate Style Canoeing would become a multi-day course). Courses may be run over multiple days, or weeks, allowing time to practice manoeuvres, and/or develop and choreograph routines.

Although the style program can be entered directly with Intro Solo canoe skills the actual paddling skills, even at the Introduction to Style level, are quite difficult and a high level of precision is required. we recommend that people interested in the style paddling program have completed at least Intermediate Lake Solo and instructor candidates should consider mastering Advanced Lake Solo.

Criteria (Corridors) for Core Elements

At each level general criteria are identified in parenthesis after each core skill in the order: corridor, length, and yaw. Corridors and length are measured from the canoeist. The corridor is the total variation around the line of travel allowed (for example, 2m would be 1m on each side of the center line). Length is from start to finish in one direction. Yaw is measured as the degree of rotation from the expected alignment of the canoe along the line of travel (for example, 20° permitted yaw might be 10° on each side of the normal course of travel). Although there is no specific measured criterion for roll it should be minimal and appropriate to the style skill being demonstrated. Even though corridors have been suggested paddling with finesse and control through a routine is more important than meeting very rigorous single manoeuvre criteria.

Core Elements

Core elements are the very basic foundation of all style canoeing, in this program, there are suggested criteria for each element. There are two levels of core elements identified in this program: simple motions such as straight lines and pivots; and more complex or compound skills that involve two or more basic movements such as turns which include both a line (or arc) and pivot.

A core element is a simple motion (for example, straight line or pivot) that continues over a defined distance or period of time. Core elements are the very basic foundation of all style canoeing, in this program, there are suggested criteria for each element. There are two levels of core elements identified in this program: simple motions such as straight lines and pivots; and more complex or compound skills that involve two or more basic movements such as turns which include both a line (or arc) and pivot.

Manoeuvres

Manoeuvres are core elements (for example, pivot) executed along a defined pattern (line pivots) that are completed in open water without markers or criteria – manoeuvres allow students to show individual expression and style. Although no criteria are specified each open-water manoeuvre must be executed smoothly with minimal unintentional rocking and splashing.

Students should be encouraged to attempt manoeuvres that expand beyond the set listed in this manual – be imaginative and try new skills.

Transitions

Transitions are the switch or movement from one core element or manoeuvre to the next. Elements are the basic building blocks for the style program, transitions are the links between elements or manoeuvres in routines.

Routines

Routines are a series of smoothly interconnected manoeuvres on open water that allow the canoeist to display control over the canoe and personal style and interpretation. The transition between one manoeuvre and the next is just as important as the manoeuvre itself – transitions should be intentional and controlled. Each level has an increased requirement to put together routines as an individual (single canoe) or as part of a group. There is no requirement to set routines to music, but the addition of music may assist in the interpretation, timing, and artistry of the display. At advanced levels expect to spend several hours developing, choreographing, and executing even short routines.

Participant Assessment

At the intermediate level and above transitions between manoeuvres must be executed in a manner appropriate to the routine – controlled, well-timed, and continuous (as appropriate).

The endpoint of style paddling is open water manoeuvres and routines. Assessment of core elements with buoys and/or a dock should only be used to show the level of boat control needed during more open water displays and must not be the focus or end point of the skills in this program. Instructors and candidates may choose not to use markers at all for this reason.

Level Specific Information

This section provides expanded notes for each level. An explanation of specific skills, theory, and background material can be found in the Style Resource Manual.

Introduction to Style Canoeing

Safety and Rescue

Instructors will ensure that the participants are aware of all of the necessary skills and appropriate treatment of equipment at each level. Skills listed in this section are for completeness if participants have shown that they have the necessary skills then further instruction may not be required (for example, lifts/carries, launch, canoe-over-canoe).

Paddling Strokes

Blending of strokes and palm rolls will be introduced at this level along with a discussion of placement, catch, follow-through, completion, recovery, and associated forces and torque. Although the program is primarily focused on movement of the canoe a set of strokes is helpful to know and understand for communication.

Manoeuvres

Each of the core elements will be completed in open water. Synchronized paddling of core skills (for example, side-by-side paddling, interlocking pivots, circles around pivot, etc.) may be introduced at this level. Although there are no set criteria for open water manoeuvres they should be executed smoothly without significant roll or splash – this is the artistry of Style canoeing. Students should be encouraged to try and develop their own ideas.

Stop/check

The paddler should be able to stop each manoeuvre, either completely or direction (such as in a turn).

Instructors may include a basic marked course for students to follow to assist in the development of core skills and manoeuvers. This should be used as a learning tool, but skills should be practiced in open water using remote markers.

Routines

There is no requirement for complex routines at this level but transitions between core elements and attempting basic synchronized paddling of basic skills is encouraged.

Style Canoeing Intermediate – Solo

The intermediate level expands on the style canoeing skills introduced at the earlier level by adding controlled weight turns and reverse manoeuvres. Open water extensions of core elements are introduced along with the development of basic routines. Starting at this level core elements must be attempted on both paddling sides but only the most proficient side will be assessed. Open water manoeuvres must be demonstrated on both paddling sides starting at this level, again only the proficient side will be assessed. Basic routines must contain several manoeuvres showing smooth transitions and fluid motion of the canoe and paddler. Basic synchronized paddling skills during manoeuvres and routines will be covered. A strong understanding of M.I.T.H. (Momentum, Initiate a turn, Tilt, Hold) concept is required in both forward and reverse directions.

Style Canoeing Advanced – Solo

Participants who complete this course will display a high degree of precise boat control and be able to present complex and personalized paddling routines. New core elements are added, including an introduction to Freestyle. Although core elements must be completed on both paddling sides only the most proficient side will be assessed. Open water manoeuvres must be completed on both paddling sides. Cross strokes, switching sides, facing direction, and weight shifting are all acceptable during routines as long as the transition is controlled and intentional. Participants in this course should be encouraged to develop and innovate additional manoeuvres of their own; routines and manoeuvres should be a reflection of the paddler, not the instructor. A good understanding and ability to paddle in a synchronized form during routines will be developed. An understanding of transitions and controlling all aspects of the movement of a canoe through M.I.T.H. concepts become critical at this level.

Paddling Strokes

• Stroke blending as needed to complete manoeuvres and routines (for example, diagonal offside forward movement initiated with wedge or jam near pivot point slide forward as momentum declines, shift to push-way and pitched forward stroke, slice return to jam, repeat).
• Regular use of palm rolls and increased use of appropriate initiation and follow-through particularly with static strokes.
• Increased use of static strokes throughout manoeuvres and routines.
• Use of one-handed strokes such as running draw/pry and surface sweeps.
• Clean follow-through and recovery.

Instructor Certification Information

At each level instructor candidates must instruct:

• how to complete at least one core element and manoeuvre, including appropriate detection and correction techniques,
• develop at least one theory component appropriate for the level, and
• provide a rough outline of a complete course at the appropriate level.

At the Intermediate or Advanced level candidates must also show how to develop, document, and choreograph a basic routine.