Orca Training in the following areas:
Flatwater Level Training
Overview of Flatwater Level
Skills (Tandem)
Canoe Tripping Level 1
Overview of Level 1
Canoe Tripping Level 2
Overview of Level 2
FLATWATER LEVEL
The Flatwater Level is designed to introduce the novice or relatively inexperienced canoeist to paddling. The emphasis is on mastering the fundamentals of canoeing along with a strong grounding in water safety and safe canoeing practices.
Prerequisites
- There are no canoeing prerequisites for Flatwater Level.
- Safety
- Swimming and treading water
- Retrieving a swamped canoe
- Canoe over canoe rescue
- Reentering canoe
- Theory
- Selection of equipment
- Equipment knowledge
- Equipment care
- Government regulations
- Safe canoeing procedures
- Outdoor precautions
- Environmental awareness
- Windy weather precautions
- Canoeing history
Skills (tandem)
- Launching and removing canoe
- Entering and exiting canoe
- Paddling positions and trimming
- Balancing
- Changing positions
- Pivots
- Sideward displacement
- Forward straight line
- Inside and outside turns
- Inside and outside circles
- Stopping
- Inside and outside landings
- Reverse straight line
- Lifts and carries
- Transporting canoe on vehicle
- Canoe tour
- Skills (solo)
- All of the above items, except:
- balancing, changing positions, pivots, transporting canoe on vehicle and canoe tour
CANOE TRIPPING LEVEL 1
Canoe Tripping Level 1 provides an introduction to canoe tripping for those with little or no tripping experience. Emphasis is on wilderness canoe camping skills and safety.
Prerequisites
- ORCA Flatwater Level, equivalent certification or comparable skills and experience (with the permission of the Course Director).
- Safety
- Swimming and treading water
- Retrieving a swamped canoe
- Canoe over canoe rescue
- Self rescue
- Line toss and rescue
- Communications
- Theory
- Canoeing heritage
- Canoe design and construction
- Trip planning
- Canoe tripping gear
- Clothing and personal effects
- Tools and repair kits
- Canoeing first aid
- Weather interpretation
- Environmental practices and concerns
- Canoeing resources
- Skills
- Canoeing
- Food and menu planning
- Packing
- Navigation
- Campsites and shelters
- Fires and stoves
- Knots and lashings
- Portaging
- Canoe trip
CANOE TRIPPING LEVEL 2
Canoe Tripping Level 2 provides the experienced canoe tripper with the opportunity to improve his/her canoe tripping skills under more challenging conditions. Canoe Tripping Level 1 skills are reviewed and expanded upon; new skills and theory are introduced to enhance the leadership ability and potential of the candidate. The Course involves a canoe trip, stressing organisation, safety, leadership, and risk and crisis management.
Prerequisites
ORCA Canoe Tripping Level 1, Lakewater Level 1A and Moving Water Level 1A, equivalent certification or comparable skills and experience (with the permission of the Course Director).
At least 25 nights of wilderness canoe tripping experience, which include the following: canoe tripping distances totalling at least 500 km, at least 6 canoe trips in which the candidate was responsible for some of the organisation, and at least one wilderness canoe trip of 5 days or more.
- At least 17 years of age at the time of the Canoe Tripping Level 2 Course.
- Safety
- Review of previous safety items
- Swimming and treading water
- Artificial respiration using a canoe
- Canoe over canoe rescue
- Self rescue
- Line toss and rescue
- Communications
- Theory
- Review of previous theory items
- Canoeing History
- Canoe design and construction
- Canoe repair and maintenance
- Wilderness first aid
- Weather interpretation
- Trip planning, reporting and assessment
- Trip leadership
- Risk management
- Crisis Management
- Skills
- Review of previous skills items
- Canoeing
- Food and menu planning
- Navigation
- Knots, hitches, lashings and ropes
- Portaging
- Lining, tracking and wading
- Canoe trip