ADVERTISEMENT New Pro School Membership Level For Paddling Organizations
OVER THE WINTER MONTHS, Graham Ketcheson and I have been hard at work put- ting together a new Paddle Canada member- ship level for outfitters and other organiza- tions providing trips or instruction. We will be working with the membership committee and the board to obtain final approval. The new Paddle Canada Pro School membership is designed to give your busi- ness a boost by leveraging Paddle Cana- da’s brand and market position to increase your course and trip bookings. These are the three core benefits to the Pro School membership: First, your shop will receive the Paddle Canada Pro School designation and be pro- vided with branded t-shirts, window stickers and web and print graphics to market your Pro School designation. Your students and
SAFETY LINES
TEACHING DECEIVING CONDITIONS
The majority of our paddling students are new to the condi- tions they experience on our courses. Of course they have been outdoors before, but not for eight hours sitting in a re- flector oven on a hot sunny day trying to land their coastal kayak in heavy seas. Unfamiliar coastlines, running seri- ous rapids and cold water are just a few environmental ele- ments that beginner and intermediate paddlers aren’t used to. For instructors, you must view these features as your students do. To the inexperienced, these paddling condi- tions look less dangerous than they really are. Just talking about the conditions students can expect to encounter during a short shore session is not enough. We should strive to expose them to as many challenging condi- tions as possible during our courses. The goal is for them to appreciate the risks and challenges of paddling. It should start with this philosophy: “If you don’t want
to swim in it, don’t paddle on it.” This includes cold water (anything less than 10°C), being far from shore, rapids be- yond our capability, serious tidal and shore surges, or high
winds and waves. Don’t forget navigation and determining your location when you’re lost.
Many previously indoorsy people lured to our pastime ar-
rive with a how-hard-can-this-be attitude and tend to se- riously underestimate nature’s deceiving conditions. After one scare on the water, they quickly learn to respect the conditions. However, as instructors we should inject our knowledge and experience before new paddlers learn to respect conditons the hard way. It is up to us to ensure we develop this awareness during our courses. Take time to recognize and discuss the haz- ards on the course route or location. Provide students the opportunity to recognize the conditions and practice their skills in a safe environment.
Happy paddl’n.
Eric Williams is the president emeritus at Paddle Canada and a member of the Canadian Safe Boating Council.
customers will easily identify your shop as a paddlesports leader. Second, Paddle Canada has developed an online, map-based directory system for us- ers to find outfitters and paddling shops across Canada. Paddle Canada Pro School membership includes a listing on the direc- tory and special designation as a Pro School. Tens of thousands of unique visitors come to
PaddleCanada.com every month looking to book paddling trips, lessons and courses in Canada. The directory will boost your bookings by directing that traffic to our Pro School members. Third, the Pro School membership includes
15 percent off advertising in Rapid Media magazines and a promotional blog post on
PaddleCanada.com designed to market your paddling destinations or courses.
There are eligibility criteria to be- come a Pro School member. In gen- eral, all your on-water staff must have relevant Paddle Canada certifications and you must offer a certain number of Paddle Canada sanctioned courses per year. If you’re interested in register- ing as a Paddle Canada Pro School, have
any feedback, or would like
more information, please email me at
media@paddlecanada.com.
Adrian Camara is the media manager at Paddle Canada.
BOOK YOUR NEXT TRIP OR PADDLING COURSE AT:
PaddleCanada.com/Directory
JOB POSTING: VOLUNTEER EDITOR
Paddle Canada is searching for a new volunteer edi- tor of Kanawa to begin this summer. If you’re into pad- dling, have excellent grammar and an eye for great con- tent, email your resume, editorial and writing samples to
media@paddlecanada.com.
LAST KANAWA ISSUE: PADDLE FOR THE NORTH
A photo taken by the Paddle For The North team was pub- lished in the last issue of Kanawa without credit. Paddle For The North is a documentary film of six friends on a 1,500-kilometer canoe expedition in the Peel and Yukon watersheds showing beauty and environmental change in the North. Learn more at:
PaddleForTheNorth.org.
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