Frequently Asked Questions about the Lakewater Course

What is Lakewater?

Lakewater canoeing is “style” paddling. Participants perform precision manuvours using pivots, circles, forward and reverse straight lines and sideways displacements. There is little room for error. This course brings you to a higher level of paddling then the Flatwater course.

I just want to learn to control a canoe for tripping

If you want to learn or improve on the basics, we’d suggest you take the Flatwater course. Lakewater is more for those who are comfortable paddling a canoe but want to further improve their skills.

I want to become a canoe instructor

You will need Lakewater Level 1 certification to become an ORCA Canoe Tripping Instructor, a Moving Water Instructor or a Lakewater Instructor. It also qualifies you to take the Flatwater instructor course.

What should I expect on the Lakewater course?

The focus of this course is on the four core manuvours: pivots, circles, forward and reverse straight lines and sideways displacements and variations on these. For example; you will be expected to pivot your canoe within a 1.5 meter corridor with little rocking of the gunnels and maintaining a constant speed. Your instructor will teach you these skills as the course progresses.