Tag: Canoe Basics

CANOE TRIP PROTOCOLS {Please read!!}

**Updated for 2019**

Hello All,

As we start our river training and canoe trips next week, this post is a gentle reminder about canoe trip protocols that need to be reiterated due to several incidents that happened last  year…..

1.  Unless otherwise stated, meeting times for our canoe trips are outlined on our web page under OSSCC Rules and in the OSSCC Handbook and Club Rules:

Tuesdays:

8:30 am for shorter trips

8:00 am  for longer trips

Thursdays:

9:00 am

  Details about trips will be provided by the Trip Organizers prior to each trip.  They will be posted on the Blog.   Check the schedule to see who they are and contact them directly if you have any questions. Email addresses can be found on the membership list.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS posts outline trips and club events that are coming up and will be posted on a monthly basis so you can check your schedules and prepare accordingly. General trip info is on  the schedule.

2.  Meet at the shed for canoe trips. This is important because:
3.  Check the schedule/blog regularly in case there is a rescheduled or trip change!

4.  Membership List.  Everyone should have one by now. (refer to April 19th email which also included attachment and a special password to access updated versions on the Blog- it is NOT your login password!) Please check it out to make sure the info is correct, particularly your cell phone number. If you see a mistake, let us know at info@oldsaltsclub.com!

5.  Please be on time!  This is especially important for longer trips like the Beaver River, Saugeen River and Nottawasaga River trips.  The sooner we can get organized at the shed ( sign in/pay, organize canoes, partners, transportation), the sooner we get to these locations and be on the river!

Should you anticipate being late for any trip due to unforeseen circumstances, please contact the Trip Organizers to let them know.  (This happened last year when there was a big traffic jam on the expressway in which several of our members were stuck…..it happens!) Make sure you have the Trip Organizer’s phone number(s) on you just in case:)

5.  When on the river, stay between the “Lead” and “Sweep” canoes! For safety’s sake, don’t rush down the river, keep some space between your canoe and the one in front of you, and don’t get so far ahead of the last (sweep) canoe that you can’t see them.  (They have the first aid kit should it be required)  Why not take the opportunity to practice some maneuvers learned during training?

Finally, have fun!  There are some wonderful trips planned this season:)  Pictures are also welcome!! Hope to see you there!!!

KNOW YOUR STROKES!

Every year, OSSCC offers canoe lessons to teach you safe canoeing practices, and canoe strokes and skills to navigate safely on the water. Whether you are a newbie to the club or a member who has been with us for a while, it never hurts to review and practice the basic canoe strokes we learn in our courses and use on our many trips. Each stroke has a purpose. Do you know what they do? Below are links to resource materials to assist with providing a better understanding of basic canoe strokes we should know and have learned in our lessons.

Forward and Back Stroke

J-Stroke & Canadian C-Stroke (Stern) – includes video

Draw and Cross-Bow Draw Stroke

Pry Stroke

Videos

Path of the Paddle: Double Basics (Bill & Paul Mason)

How to Steer and Paddle a Canoe – Forward Stroke – Bruce Lessels

How to Canoe – 3 Key Strokes all Paddlers Should Know -PaddleTV

Tadem Canoe Basics (Paul & Willa Mason)

Tandem Canoe Essentials (Paul & Willa Mason)

Essential Strokes for Tandem Maneuvers – Westwood Outdoors

Parts of a Canoe/Paddle and Strokes – Northern Tier High Adventure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Safety on The Water! Paddle & Whistle Signals

Canoe safety is very important to the OSSCC which is why we insist every member take basic canoe training to assess skill levels and ensure members don’t go on excursions beyond their skillset and comfort zone.

That said, our canoe schedule has trips that accommodate everyone’s ability from our gentle “Easy Breezy” paddles on area lakes and rivers, to our more challenging trips on moving water. You can check our schedule on either the blog or on the web site to check out which trips you wish to go on.   Mark your calendars and watch your emails if the weather looks dicey on trip day!

Whichever trip you go on, it is important to be aware of both whistle and visual safety signals.

Be safe and have fun! Check out these posts before going out on the water:

Did You Forget Something? What to Bring on a Canoe Excursion

Check List for a Fun Day on the Water!

Remember not to schedule anything else on the same day as our canoe trips as we can’t guarantee when we will be back!

 

 

Check List For a Fun Day on The Water!

Our main goal whenever we set out on a canoe excursion is to have fun and be safe.  With that in mind, we have certain guidelines that we like to follow to make sure we can all have a fun day on the water.

With both our river training sessions and canoe excursions (schedule) beginning this week, here is a check list to show how everyone can pitch in to help make each outing run smooth:

  1. Make sure you are familiar with OSSCC Rules.
  2. When we get to the put in site, make sure you assist with unstrapping and transporting the canoes to the launch area as much as you are able.
  3. Pick out the correct size paddle for yourself. Ensure that you and your partner have secured an extra paddle and bailer to the canoe as well as obtained a throw rope and sponge from the canoe trailer.
  4. Secure your dry sack and personal belongings to the canoe.
  5. Don’t forget to put your PFD on! (No PFD = No Canoeing!)
  6. Carry the canoe to the water with at least one other helper. (Four makes it even better!)
  7. Place the canoe correctly in the water – no bridging (canoe must be floating completely on the water)
  8. Keep low when entering and leaving the canoe and keeping your weight centered  – see video
  9. Make sure you and your partner stay between the lead (first)  and sweep (last) canoes.
  10. When on the water, don’t crowd other canoes.  Stay at least a generous canoe length behind another canoe when moving down the river.
  11. Read the river as per training!
  12. Be in control of your half of the canoe.
  13. Always communicate with your partner if you need to change position so you don’t catch them by surprise (and cause a potential dunking:)!
  14. Work together with your partner at all times and take whatever opportunity you can to practice canoe maneuvers and strokes learned in your canoe lessons.
  15. At the end of the excursion, help to transport canoes back to canoe trailer and strap them in (as you are able), and/or return paddles, bailers, sponges and throw ropes into the canoe trailer.
  16. Bring extra cash……we always stop for a treat at the end of a canoe excursion as a reward for a job well done:)
  17. Don’t forget to give a little something to the driver if you are carpooling. (General guideline – $5 for short trips, $7 for longer trips)

If you happen to take any pictures…..please share!  We’d love to include them in the OSSCC gallery.

If you have any questions,  insights or suggestions, please share them in the comments section below!!

Have a great season!

What to Bring on a Canoe Excursion

When we go on any of our canoe excursions, whether they are for training or fun, someone always forgets something. Here is a checklist that should help you remember what to bring:

  • PFD (Personal Flotation Device) -Transport Canada approved and worn correctly
  • Emergency Contact card
  • waterproof whistle – attached to PFD
  • dry sac to hold a complete change of clothes (should you get wet), towel, rain gear, toilet paper, zip lock bags
  • lunch/snack (depends on excursion) in small cooler/lunch bag
  • water bottle (extra water for longer trips)
  • hat, sun glasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, lip balm
  • medical information, health card, personal medication
  • waterproof flashlight (extra batteries)
  • bungee cord, carabineers (to attach things to canoe), straps or elastic loops to hold in extra paddle
  • cell phone, camera in waterproof container
  • money to pay for trip  ($6 for shorter trips, $9 for longer trips)
  • money  “tip” driver if being carpooled (to say thanks!) (Guideline: $5 for shorter trips, $7 for longer trips)

For more information, check out “THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW” on the OSSCC web page!

Did we forget something on this check list?  Let us know by posting a comment below.

Don’t forget to check the latest trip schedule! We will no longer be sending emails when there is an update or change.  If a trip is cancelled because of weather or river conditions, check your email for a blog notification as this will be posted on the blog.