Canoe Lessons - Flatwater
Introduction to Canoeing (tandem) - Flatwater
Our introductory program provides the first-time paddler with basic safety and performance information relative to canoeing including: entering and exiting the canoe, paddling position, stopping, landing, and more. By the end of the session paddlers will have enough skill to safely enjoy recreational paddling with a partner close to shore in calm conditions. There are no pre-requisites for this course.
Course Length
4 hours
Course Cost
All Rentals include canoe, paddle, PFD, safety equipment, wetsuit, and paddling top if desired.
Where
Our entire course takes place outside. As part of the course you will be getting wet!
When
Friday, Saturday, Sunday throughout the spring, summer & fall. Visit our calendar for course location and dates.
Prerequisites
None
Canoeing Intermediate (tandem) - Flatwater
The perfect introduction for the inexperienced canoeist to tandem paddling. The emphasis is on mastering the fundamentals of canoeing along with a strong grounding in water safety and safe canoeing practices.
Course highlights include: selection of equipment, equipment knowledge, equipment care,government regulations, safe canoeing procedures, paddling positions, trimming, sideward displacement, forward straight, lifts and carries, entering / exiting a canoe, and more.
Course Length
2 days
Course Cost
All rentals include canoe, paddle, PFD, safety equipment, wetsuit, and paddling top if desired.
Where
Our entire course takes place outside. As part of the course you will be getting wet!
When
Friday, Saturday, Sunday throughout the spring, summer & fall. Visit our calendar for course location and dates.
Prerequisites
None
Canoeing Advanced (solo) - Flatwater
The solo course introduces the novice or relatively inexperienced canoeist to solo paddling. The emphasis is on learning the fundamentals of canoeing along with a strong grounding in water safety and safe canoeing practices. It opens up a whole new avenue of paddling skills and fun to the canoeist.
Course highlights include: all of the same items in Canoeing Intermediate (tandem) plus balancing, transporting a canoe on vehicle and canoe tour and much more.
Course Length
2 days
Course Cost
All rentals include canoe, paddle, PFD, safety equipment, wetsuit, and paddling top if desired.
Where
Our entire course takes place outside. As part of the course you will be getting wet!
When
Friday, Saturday, Sunday throughout the spring, summer & fall. Visit our calendar for course location and dates.
Prerequisites
Canoeing Intermediate (tandem)
Canoe Lessons - Whitewater
Whitewater Canoeing (tandem) - Beginner
This provides an introduction to whitewater paddling for those with little or no experience in whitewater paddling. The emphasis is on tandem canoeing skills, understanding whitewater principles, and river safety. It opens up a whole new avenue of paddling skills and fun to the canoeist. After these 2 days on the river, your thirst for real adventure will be quenched and you will take home a powerful set of whitewater skills for future adventures in the backcountry!
Course Length
2 days
Course Cost
All rentals include canoe, paddle, PFD, safety equipment, wetsuit, and paddling top if desired.
Where
Our entire course takes place outside. As part of the course you will be getting wet!
When
Friday, Saturday, Sunday throughout the spring, summer & fall. Visit our calendar for course location and dates.
Prerequisites
Canoeing Intermediate (tandem) - Flatwater
Whitewater Canoeing (solo) - Beginner
Paddlers have always played on rivers and play boating is the evolution of this desire to master their fluid environment. This provides an introduction to whitewater solo paddling for those with little or no experience. Emphasis is on solo canoeing skills, understanding whitewater principles and safety. The course involves instruction on topics including safety, theory and skill development. There is ample time to practice moving water paddling skills such as: eddy outs, peels, "S", turns, ferrying, front & side surfing and lining. You'll be opening up a whole realm of whitewater playing possibilities.
Course Length
2 days
Course Cost
All rentals include canoe, paddle, PFD, safety equipment, wetsuit, and paddling top if desired.
Where
Our entire course takes place outside. As part of the course you will be getting wet!
When
Friday, Saturday, Sunday throughout the spring, summer & fall. Visit our calendar for course location and dates.
Prerequisites
Canoeing Intermediate (tandem) - Flatwater
River Running Canoe (tandem) - Beginner
The object of this course is to have participants paddling comfortably and safely in both the bow and stern positions in a loaded tandem canoe. As this is an introductory white water course participants will work in Class I and Class II rapids focusing on building confidence in controlled yet challenging conditions.
Course highlights include: retrieving a swamped canoe, canoe over canoe rescue, canoe outfitting, river first aid, back ferry, portaging, lining, tracking / wading and more.
Course Length
2 days
Course Cost
All rentals include canoe, paddle, PFD, safety equipment, wetsuit, and paddling top if desired.
Where
Our entire course takes place outside. As part of the course you will be getting wet!
When
Friday, Saturday, Sunday throughout the spring, summer & fall. Visit our calendar for course location and dates.
Prerequisites
Canoeing Intermediate (tandem) - Flatwater
River Running Canoe (solo) - Beginner
The object of this course is to have participants paddling comfortably and safely in a loaded solo canoe. As this is an introductory white water course participants will work in Class I and Class II rapids focusing on building confidence in controlled yet challenging conditions.
Course highlights include: retrieving a swamped canoe, canoe over canoe rescue, canoe outfitting, river first aid, back ferry, portaging, lining, tracking / wading and more.
Course Length
2 days
Course Cost
All rentals include canoe, paddle, PFD, safety equipment, wetsuit, and paddling top if desired.
Where
Our entire course takes place outside. As part of the course you will be getting wet!
When
Friday, Saturday, Sunday throughout the spring, summer & fall. Visit our calendar for course location and dates.
Prerequisites
Canoeing Intermediate (tandem) - Flatwater
Canoe Lessons - Tripping
Canoe Tripping (tandem) - Beginner
Our Canoe Tripping course provides an introduction to canoe tripping for those with little or no tripping experience. Emphasis is on wilderness canoe camping skills and safety. It prepares candidates to be safe, skilled and knowledgeable participants on short duration canoe trips lead by more experienced canoe trippers. It is expected that successful graduates of this course will progressively build their canoe tripping experience.
Learn about: trip planning, canoe tripping gear, weather interpretation, campsites / shelters, knots, fires / stoves, personal / camp hygiene, navigation, and more.
Course Length
3 days
Course Cost
All rentals include canoe, paddle, PFD, safety equipment, wetsuit, and paddling top if desired.
Where
Our entire course takes place outside. As part of the course you will be getting wet!
When
Friday, Saturday, Sunday throughout the spring, summer & fall. Visit our calendar for course location and dates.
Prerequisites
Canoeing Intermediate (tandem) - Flatwater
Canoe Lessons - Canadian Style
Canadian Style Paddling (tandem) - Beginner
This level is an introduction into Canadian Style paddling or what has also been identified as canoe dance. Upon successful completion of this course canoeist will have acquired sufficient skills to consistently conduct with precision standard style paddling maneuvers in a tandem canoe.
Course highlights include: pivots, canoeing dynamics, sideward displacement, circles, triangle course in wind slalom course and more.
Course Length
2 days
Course Cost
All rentals include canoe, paddle, PFD, safety equipment, wetsuit, and paddling top if desired.
Where
Our entire course takes place outside. As part of the course you will be getting wet!
When
Friday, Saturday, Sunday throughout the spring, summer & fall. Visit our calendar for course location and dates.
Prerequisites
Canoeing Intermediate (tandem) - Flatwater
About Our Canoe Certification Programs
Our team is friendly, skilled and take pride in sharing their cultural heritage. Our team has received intense and formal training in Adventure Based Learning, ORCKA Certification(Ontario Recreational Canoeing Kayaking Association) Wilderness First Aid, Swift Water Rescue, and are instructors in all of the ORCKA discipline of paddling including : Basic Canoeing, Canoe Tripping, Moving Water, Canadian Style Paddling and River Running and are National Green Check GPS Instructors.We use only top line equipment and set the highest standards for all our journeys from meals to camp selection to guidance through the wilderness.
We provide certification in:
ORCKA (Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association) is the provincially and nationally recognized provider of recreational canoeing and kayaking programs and instruction, helping the people of Ontario to become safe, competent and knowledgeable recreational paddlers!
ORCKA Safe Canoe
ORCKA Basic Canoe Level I - IV
ORCKA Moving Water Canoe 1A (tandem)
ORCKA Moving Water Canoe 1B (solo)
ORCKA River Running Canoe 1A (tandem)
ORCKA River Running Canoe 1B (solo)
ORCKA Canadian Style Paddling
ORCKA Canoe Tripping Level I -III
Level II & III and Combined Courses
If you don’t find the course you are looking for. Please contact our friendly staff to find the right course for you. We offer all of the ORCKA Canoe and Kayak Courses including: Basic Canoe, Canadian Style Paddling, Canoe Tripping, River Running, Moving Water and Moving Water Kayaking. Let us help you create the right combination of course for you!
We are 100% MOBILE
We can offer all of our certification courses anywhere! Our mobile unit can travel with our kayaks, canoes, gear and equipment. Give us a call to discuss details. Let us share our passion and introduce you to the exciting world of paddling. You deserve it!
Enjoy your paddling experience in new gear
and top of the line boats!
Be one of the first to paddle our dynamic fleet of boats. Our line up of boats consist of:
Solo Canoes
Esquif L’Edge
Esquif L’Edge Lite x 2
Esquif Spark
Esquif Zephyer
Esquif Taureau
Esquif Raven x 2
Esquif Spanish Fly
Bell Ocoee
Madriver Outrage
Madriver Outrage X
Blackfly Octane 91
Black Fly Option
Tandem Canoe
6- Esquif Canyon’s
Flatwater Canoe (Mike Yee Outfitted)
10 - Oldtown Appalachian’s
What To Bring (Day Trip)
• sneakers or river shoes, with wool socks or wetsuit booties
• sunglasses
• sunscreen and lip balm
• sun hat, rain hat or fleece hat
• synthetic top and bottom (i.e. thermal underwear)
• raincoat and rain pants
• swimsuit
• water bottle
• towel and change of clothes for after class
• snacks
What To Bring (Multi Day Trip or Overnight)
Registration Process
To register for the course please contact our office. Seats are limited to 6 participants. Once you are registered we will forward a welcome package full of useful information.
About Great Lakes Cultural Camps
About GLCC
Our team is friendly, skilled and take’s pride in sharing their cultural heritage. Our team of adventure based educators provide awareness of traditional land based First Nation Lifestyles, and its transition to contemporary outdoor pursuits. Great Lakes Cultural Camps “GLCC” is a small family run business that focuses on all the details. GLCC expeditions and adventure learning programs are designed to provide participants with high quality, in-depth instruction in a range of indoor and outdoor adventure activities. Our programs are intensive adventure experiences geared to the abilities and interests of participants. We specialize in Ontario Recreational Canoeing & Kayaking Association (ORCKA), Paddle Canada (PC), Wilderness Medical Associates (WMA), Boreal River Rescue, National GPS, Leave No Trace (LNT) certification programs, backcountry and authentic First Nation Cultural Experiences. We also coordinate and offer a variety of other year round indoor and outdoor experiential learning activities. GLCC offers a complete wide variety of top of the line canoes, kayaks, and sup boards. We have all the equipment you need to begin your paddling experience on the North Shore. It’s all about high quality gear and superb instruction.
What You Can Expect
What You Can Expect From GLCC
Our adventures are fun, exciting, and challenging because they involve the active participation of each individual. If you wish to participate, you should be aware that very little will be done for you. Our friendly staff will take the time to share their knowledge and skills on how to live on the land. Consequently, your satisfaction will be enhanced knowing that it is your effort that leads you through the wilderness and your determination that helps your team. You will also derive satisfaction knowing that it is through your cooperating spirit that everyone in the group is able to accomplish their day-to-day goals. You can expect a safe environment, wonderful snacks, awesome pre-cooked meals, and a unique experience to remember!
It is mandatory participants and parents/guardians sign a waiver and fully completed. In addition, participants must be properly equipped for our adventure. Upon the confirmation fee deposited a gear checklist & waiver / Terms & Conditions will be forwarded. Failure to have the proper equipment will result in you not being able to participate. We adhere to a zero tolerance policy on all our camps.
Our Enthusiastic Participants
The key to a great trip is a group of participants who are highly motivated to participate. Great Lakes Cultural Camps is not the type of program where participants are sent against their own will. We only accept participants who express a strong desire to join our expeditions and contribute positively, which assures everyone of having the best possible group experience. You will return home with not only a variety of fascinating skills, but also with new friends and a true First Nation Cultural experience.
Safety Practices
All of our staff hold current first aid & CPR certificates, have experience working with children and youth, and have taken part in our extensive staff training. In addition, we ensure that staff carry a knapsack containing a fully stocked first aid kit, participant information, bear deterrent, a whistle, sunscreen and extra clothes. All staff facilitating adventure programs, have related qualifications, training and experience. Proper safety equipment for all of our programs is used and regularly inspected (i.e. first aid kit, PFDs, water rescue equipment, personal locator beacon, GPS etc.).
Medical Training of Our Instructors
Great Lakes Cultural Camps requires all instructors to be trained at a Wilderness First Responder (WFR). Industry standard medical training for backcountry instructors is a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification. Wilderness First Responder certification means the instructor has passed an 80 hour intensive course, focused first on prevention and treatment of back country emergencies.
Instructor Student Ratio
For a backcountry adventure trips, the maximum instructor to student ration should be 1:6. Lower ratios mean a safer experience, better supervision, more opportunities to learn, and better interaction with role models. In our water activities our staff to participant ratio is based upon the industry standard established by ORCKA (Ontario Recreational Canoeing & Kayaking Association) certification guidelines. Our student ratio is 1:5 in solo boating, 1:6 in kayaking, 1:8 canoe tripping. Our staff always work in teams of two or three. There are no individually facilitated programs. We have 2 instructors on all our programs and additional support staff larger groups.
Experience Level
The complex responsibility of leading wilderness trips and the maturity needed to work with people is best handled by older, more mature instructors who have been working in the outdoor adventure industry. It takes several years to gain the wealth of experience needed to become an expert wilderness instructor. Great Lakes Cultural Camps maintain program continuity, safety, quality and consistency by having seasoned staff.
Equipment - Great Lakes Cultural Camp Adventure Equipment
Great Lakes Cultural Camps uses high performance gear. All guests are outfitted with Coast Guard approved PFD’S (personal flotation device) Wetsuits, splash jackets and helmets are all included in the price . Our gear is top of the line and in great condition. We wash and air the gear after every trip
Customize Your Program
We will custom fit any of our unique programs to meet your own personal needs including First Nation Cultural Education, Workshops, Corporate Team Building, Cultural Dance Performance, Group Size, Location, Time, Private Instruction and unique personal requests. It’s your choice! Make your experience one to remember!
Prepare for an unforgettable cultural experience through the woods and mountains taking in unbelievable scenery! Our mobile unit can travel and deliver our programs almost anywhere.
