Closed canoes, or C-1s are fun and dynamic playboats or river running canoes which at first glance look like a whitewater kayak. The hull is similar or exactly the same as a kayak but that's where the similarity ends. In a C1, the canoeist kneels in custom outfitting with a higher center of gravity. The second difference of course is the use of a single bladed canoe paddle and the large variety of strokes used, many based on traditional canoeing strokes.
The sport of whitewater C1 developed at the same time as whitewater kayaking, first introduced into the summer Olympic games in 1972 and became a regular Olympic sport in 1996. It is a challenging form of canoeing that combines traditional strokes that all canoeists use, such as the J-Stroke, with a small, tough hull capable of handling very difficult whitewater.
Most C1 paddlers convert a modern whitewater kayak into a C1 by replacing the outfitting with a saddle and thigh straps or a bulkhead. A skirt is still used to keep water out of the canoe.
RCABC C1 CERTIFICATION:
- LAKEWATER C1 INTRODUCTION
- MOVING WATER C1 (RIVER RUNNING)
- ADVANCED WHITEWATER C1 (PLAYBOATING)
- C1 CLINIC
RCABC LAKEWATER C1 INTRODUCTION
WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
C1 is for people who appreciate the canoe paddle and the unique style it offers, and also enjoy the excitement of whitewater in a small closed canoe. But to start, basic skills must be learned on flat water with the RCABC Lakewater C1 course. This course has very specific skills goals that prepare you for river C1. Note that Olympic whitewater slalom paddlers spend about 50% of their practise time training on flat water.
People that often try C1 are:
- Whitewater canoeists that want to try a closed canoe for a new challenge
- Whitewater canoeists that don't want to bail an open canoe, or would like to start doing vertical playboating moves
- Whitewater kayakers that want to try a new challenge
PREREQUISITE – RCABC Lakewater Level 2 (Basic Solo) or equivalent
DURATION – 8 hours, plus an eskimo rolling session of up to 4 hours.
CONTENT
Outline of RCABC Lakewater C1 Course: C-1 Closed Canoe Paddler Levels
In order to get the most out of river instruction, it is important that basic control be established on flatwater first. This is a summary of the skills covered:
- Review of all basic solo strokes: forward, J, C-Stroke, draw, pry, etc.
- Review or learning advanced strokes: sculling strokes, braces, offside strokes, etc
- Rescues including: wet exits, swimming to shore effectively, towing, T-rescue
- Carving turns, spinning, edge control, sideslips
- C1 flatwater skills circuit that links important manoeuvres together
These flatwater exercises are the foundation for success when advancing to river C1.
.
Back to Top...
RCABC MOVINGWATER C1 (RIVER RUNNING)
WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
The RCABC Movingwater C1 course is the next step after basic skills have been developed on flat water. This course takes you on the river to apply the techniques you've developed. The C1 challenge is a fascinating way to play on the river. People that often try C1 are:
- Whitewater canoeists that want to try a closed canoe for a new challenge
- Whitewater canoeists that don't want to bail an open canoe, or would like to start doing vertical playboating moves
- Whitewater kayakers that want to try a new challenge
PREREQUISITE – RCABC Lakewater C1 or equivalent, plus eskimo rolling component
DURATION – 16 hours
CONTENT
Outline for RCABC Movingwater C1: C-1 Closed Canoe Paddler Levels
The RCABC Movingwater C-1 course covers all the basic skills, gear and safety needed for safe river running, with basic surfing included as an introductory playboating skill. This is a summary of the content:
- Review of Lakewater C1 skills and river reading, hazards and safety
- Manoeuvres such as eddy entry and exit, ferries, surfing, S-turns, etc.
- A variety of rescues
All skills to be taught on Grade I-II river features
Back to Top...
RCABC ADVANCED WHITEWATER C1 (PLAYBOATING)
WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
The RCABC Advanced Whitewater C1 course follows up and builds on the skills learned in the Movingwater C1 course. The emphasis moves from basic river running to various kinds of playboating, depending on your goals. The course is generally intended for:
- People with C1 river running experience, but wish to get into playboating
- People wanting to become RCABC C1 instructors
PREREQUISITE – RCABC Movingwater C1 or equivalent
DURATION – 16 hours
CONTENT
Outline for RCABC Advanced Whitewater C1: C-1 Closed Canoe Paddler Levels
The RCABC Advanced Whitewater C1 course takes river running to the next level and introduces playboating moves. Not just surfing and hole riding, but also vertical moves. There is also an advanced version of the flatwater C1 test course. This is a summary of the content:
- Review of Movingwater C1 skills and river reading, hazards and safety
- Surfing and variations (carving, backsurfing, spinning)
- Reverse paddling to prepare for playboating
- Stern squirts, enders, pirouettes
- Cartwheels and other playboating moves (if appropriate)
- Variations on eskimo rolling
- Advanced boat design and outfitting
RCABC C1 INSTRUCTOR
WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
The RCABC C1 Instructor course is for canoeists that have developed their skills to a high level but wish to further develop their leadership and teaching. Everyone has a different reason for taking an instructor course – here are the most common:
- Individuals wanting to develop their C1 skills to a high level for personal interest
- C1 enthusiasts wanting to keep the sport of C1 active
- RCABC instructors needing a 3rd instructor certificate to become master instructors
PREREQUISITES
RCABC Lakewater Instructor Minimum 1 year.
RCABC C1 Paddler Levels 1, 2, and 3 for a minimum of 1 year
DURATION – 40 hours
CONTENT
For a complete outline of the RCABC C1 Instructor course content, become an RCABC member to gain access to the Instructor Manual, or contact the RCABC executive. Content includes evaluation of the candidate's ability to lead and instruct all of the topics in RCABC C1 Lakewater, Movingwater and Advanced Whitewater Levels.
Back to Top...
WHO IS THIS CLINIC FOR?
RCABC allows instructors to run partial courses called 'clinics' which are based on an RCABC certificate course. Clinics are intended to add the flexibility for RCABC instructors to teach partial canoeing courses, without the need to fulfil the complete requirements of a certificate course.
Here are a few possible examples of clinics:
- a short introduction to C1 for those who have never tried it
- a C1 surfing clinic
- a C1 rolling clinic
INSTRUCTORS OF CLINICS
All of the standard membership, certification, safety and risk management policies that apply to a certification course also apply to a ‘Clinic’, including the following:
- Prerequisites and ratios of the course on which the clinic is based must be observed.
- Clinics must be primarily instructional and not trip or guiding based.
- Waivers must indicate the type of clinic clearly
RCABC encourages instructors and students to take a full certification course when possible. Clinics are not intended to replace the thorough training of a certificate course.
Back to Top...
