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.
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TYPE OF RECREATIONAL CANOEING
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SUGGESTED RCABC COURSE OR CERTIFICATION
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COMMENTS
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Ocassional calm water lake canoeist.
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Lakewater Level 1 Basic Tandem or
Lakewater Level 2 Basic Solo
(if paddling solo)
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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.
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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)
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Advanced Lakewater courses give you the ability to manouever quickly to handle more difficult water conditions. Moving water certificates include the advanced Lakewater strokes.
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| Basic river canoeing and basic playboating |
Moving Water Level 1 Tandem or
Moving Water Level 2 Solo
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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.
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Lake Tripping - overnight camping, long trips
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Canoe Tripping Paddler Level
and (preferably)
Lakewater Level 3 or 4 (tandem/solo)
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Includes camping skills, navigation, weather and open water skills, food preparation, Leave No Trace, portaging, etc. |
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River Tripping - overnight camping, long trips
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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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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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. |
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| Canoe poling on lakes or exploring rivers in a new way |
Canoe Poling Lakewater |
Canoe poling is a new and fun way to expand your canoeing skills and experience. |
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| River Canoeists or Kayakers looking for a new challenge |
C1 Lakewater Introduction and |
C1 adds a whole new dimension to the canoeing strokes that you know. |
