This year I decided to complete my Basic Canoe Instructor course so that I would have the ability to certify my students in my outdoor education program in basic canoeing. Being certified in even just the basic canoeing skills can be transferred to possible jobs in the outdoor industry and is a huge benefit for my students. Also, the certification does not expire, so it will be a skill they will have for a lifetime.
Over the years I have completed multiple courses through ORCKA (Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association), and this was just another to add to my list. At first I wasn’t sure if this course was going to run due to the pandemic, but luckily things started to open up and I was happy when the instructor messaged and said it was going ahead. Since the course was held in Huntsville, I booked an entire week at Arrowhead Provincial Park, which allowed me to attend the course during the day and enjoy the camp life at night. Not too shabby in my mind.
Checking into Arrowhead
Prior to my check in, I had stopped at Christina’s house to swap canoes as I wanted to use a solo boat for this course. Since we would be heading out on a trip after my course we decided to leave my tandem canoe at her place and I would be using her solo canoe for my course. I will be blogging about that trip soon so keep an eye out for that.
Since I was camping on my own this week I had to take care of all the camp chores myself. That’s nothing I couldn’t handle, but setting up a big bug/rain shelter by myself was a little tricky. With my set up complete, I yielded my axe to deal with the huge chunks of park wood and settled in to my campfire that night. I was excited to begin my course the next day.
Beware a woman with an axe LOL 
Had to “dry” the wood first
Course Day 1
I was up early on Monday morning and decided to head down the Stubb’s Falls before meeting my course instructor. I was not sure how late into the day the course would go, so I wanted take this time to visit some of the local sites that Arrowhead had to offer. We have visited these falls many times in the past and I just love hearing the roaring water over the rocks. Then it was time to head into town to start the course.
Breakfast with a view 
Stubb’s Falls
The water was beautiful that morning so we started off with our solo skills by paddling around Avery Park and Hunters Bay. The H2O Canoe Company boat that I borrowed is a dream to paddle as I was not afraid of it tipping on me. The other solo canoes I have used have not felt as nice as this one.
In the afternoon we paddled tandem to the docks in downtown Huntsville to practice our canoe rescues and other tandem skills. During this course we also have to take turns “teaching” our fellow classmates skills, which can be interesting when the student already has knowledge in those skills, so we sometimes had to pretend.
With several hours of paddling that day, I was really happy that I was able to have a cool treat that was dairy free to help in the afternoon heat. It was a long day and I didn’t get back to my site until almost 7, so I ate my supper and then enjoyed another beautiful campfire.
Going to downtown Huntsville 
Course Day 2
Most of our morning was theory work as the rain was coming down hard and there were thunder and lightning storm warnings. As part of this course we are each assigned some paddling strokes and concepts that we had to teach each other. After going through our skills we would critique and give pointers to each other on what was good, and what we could improve for next time. This is always important when learning to teach other people. There are so many different ways to teach a concept that it is nice to see the way other people approach a topic.
With another long day in the books, I enjoyed a lovely meal at camp. I even stopped at the grocery store to get some fresh veggies to go with my homemade chili.
Course Day 3
I was up early and decided to check out some more sights around Arrowhead, such as the Big Bend on the Big East River. This part of he river is part of the Meanest Link that I hope to complete next year, although if our experience trying to paddle this section of river a couple of years ago is any indication, I may have to walk this section of water.
After enjoying some of the views, it was time to head back to the course, where we had new paddling partners and continued work on our Canadian Style paddling skills in tandem. Maya and I were partnered together and she was a great partner to work with. This lady amazed me with some of her knowledge and skills and I hope we can work out a trip together one day.
The highlight of my day, however, was seeing Chris and Julia Prouse finish their Meanest Link in downtown Huntsville. I had known they were on the link, but it was pure coincidence that they completed it the same time I was there. It gave me chills to see them finish and I was happy to be able to chat with them for a few minutes.
The course went late again into the evening so we took advantage of the local food trucks and ordered some green chicken curry from the Thai truck. Then it was back to my site to enjoy the fire once again.
Big Bend from the top 
Maya and I 
Course Friends 
Chris and Julia! 
Course Day 4
It was another early morning and I was getting used to seeing the H2O canoe on my car. Maybe I’ll have one of my own one day! That morning I was greeted on the docks by Martin Pine, a friend of mine on Facebook. It was so funny to see someone I knew as I had no idea that he was in the area.
We did a lot of solo paddling again, working on lots of skills that were required as part of this course. For lunch I indulged in a treat at one of the food trucks – a very yummy berry filled crepe.
Since this was our last night together we all decided to head out for pizza at Mill on the Main. I actually ate the entire pizza and enjoyed it immensely.
When I got back to camp I was visited by another friend, Toby Clipperton, who I knew was in Arrowhead that night. We had a great chat for about an hour and again it was so nice to bump into some friends.
Maybe I can get a blue color? 
Hi Martin 
Yum 
Even yummier! 
Hi Toby! 
Course Day 5
It was finally Friday and our final day of this canoe course. We were once again practising our solo skills and the Canadian Style Paddling course. This type of course requires slow controlled movements and can be quite tiring as you have restrictions in how close you need to be to a dock before stopping etc. It took some time to figure this out in the H2O canoe, but eventually I was able to complete the skills listed.
We had finished our course by lunch and I officially became a Basic Canoe Instructor! I am going to be able to use this course to help certify my future students in basic canoeing. Along with this course I also have the ability to guide other people on canoe trips because of my past courses through ORCKA. I’m happy to be done and now off to my next adventure.
A huge thanks to Judy from Kirkwood Canoes on being such an awesome instructor. I highly recommend her for any courses that you might consider doing through ORCKA.
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