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Tips for Aquatics/Canoe Instructors from
the American Canoe Association
Here are
a few tips to help you prepare for another
summer camp paddling season!
- Teach campers properly and safely from
the start, as it will provide the basis
for a lifetime of paddling enjoyment.
Don’t fudge, youth are the future
of paddlesports!
- FUN! Behind safety, this is the
key element to a successful camp paddling
season. Incorporate games,
hands-on activities, and skill building.
- Discuss lake and river etiquette. As
the counselor, you must set the appropriate
example.
- Hone those rescue skills.
- When
was the last time you used your throw
bag?
- When was the last time
you practiced a boat-over-boat rescue?
- If
you have a group in a river environment,
consider an appropriate swimming activity.
Wear PFD’s and incorporate a
throw rope drill. The
campers will enjoy it, and you’ll
get some practice as well!
- Encourage diversity.
A child can exhibit various levels
of enjoyment, whether on class II
whitewater, or an early morning sighting
of a heron on the lake.
- Safety!
- How often do you do a
head count of your group while on
a lake or river?
- Constantly
play the 'What if?' game,
especially with your co-counselor on
the way to the put-in.
- What if we
let everyone jump from this rock
and a camper hits their head?
- What
do we do if a storm blows up
in the middle of a lake crossing?
- What’s
your current level of first aid
training?
- What do we do if a kayak
flips over in a rapid?
- Enhance
your instructor resume by continuing
your professional development.
- Take
a safety and rescue course.
- Read,
and re-read literature related to
instruction techniques and rescue.
- Practice!
Contributed by Christopher Stec, assistant
director of safety, education & instruction
for the American Canoe Association. Please
contact him with your summer camp paddlesports
related questions: cstec@americancanoe.org.
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