Canoeing

One of the activities that is popular at Tinaroo is canoeing. Whilst it is a lot of fun it is important that each student understands:

1. Some simple techniques
2. Safety factors
3. How to care for the equipment
   

The forward paddle stroke:

• Sit up, with slight forward lean.
• Body twisted, arms straight, hands correctly positioned.
• Reach forward to place the blade squarely into the water.
• Make the stroke using power from the body muscles.
• Lower hand pulling, upper hand pushing.
• Slice the blade outwards from the water as it passes the body.
• Keep the blade low on recovery - skim the surface.
• Keep the arms straight.
• Top hand right across
• Shaft vertical.
  

Safety considerations:

1. Wear a Personal Floatation Device (PFD) of an approved type.
2. Apply sun screen to all exposed areas of skin.
3. Do not stand up in a canoe.
4. Do not attempt to retrieve your hat or paddle by jumping overboard.
5. If you are in trouble raise your paddle above your head and wave backwards and forwards until the support boat sees you.
6. Do not capsize your boat deliberately.
7. Listen carefully to and follow exactly what the instructor tells you to do.

In the event of a capsize:

1. Keep calm but very much alert.
2. Your PFD will support you.
3. Check to see that your companions are alright.
4. Hang on to the upturned canoe until the support boat arrives.

Care of the equipment:

1. Six people should lift the canoe when it needs to be moved. Three people on each side.
2. The canoes must not be dragged up onto, or along the shore.
3. The canoes are turned upside-down on the shore overnight.
4. Paddles are just that. They are not weapons, shovels, leaning posts or anything else you can imagine.
5. Your PFD and paddle should be looked after and returned to their proper location when the session is finished.