WW1
INFORMATION
Bill Bowman 613 828-3362 wbowman@ncf.ca
Web site http: http://web.ncf.ca/ad554/Mini
WW1.htm
The main canoeing course will be a Level
2 course. But this small WW1 course
will run at the same time. Level 1
participants will train at Palmer Rapids on both days.
Professional instruction will be given
by Paddler Co-op of Palmer
Rapids. There will be 1 instructor for 4
canoes.
This Level 1 course will be comparable
to the main WW1 course on the previous weekend.
It is designed for those who absolutely
cannot make it to the Petawawa course, or for those whose other company
members are taking WW2 or kayaking.
Level 1 is suitable for novice
canoeists. However, they MUST take a
There will be ample opportunity to practice at these courses
- each participant will have a seat in a canoe available at all times and there
will be a maximum number of participants.
Venturer companies are expected to bring or rent a sufficient number of
white water canoes.
Priority will be given to Venturers and advisors from
Voyageur Council. If space permits,
Joint Council units and other Scouting members will be considered. The course is not open to members of the
general public.
Paddler Co-op will rent white water canoes for $55 per person (plus tax) for the weekend. This rental fee includes the
paddles, PFDs and helmets.
You may bring your own canoes, but be
certain they are suitable for white water (normally, this means
through, the warden mailto:opewarden@scouts.ca
The Opemikon
canoes come with float bags, but no
paddles or other accessories.
Lastly, you might be able to make a deal with another Venturer company
which is not using all of their canoes.
YOU MUST MAKE THESE ARRANGEMENTS PRIOR TO BOOKING WITH PADDLER
CO-OP. There are NO REFUNDS.
You will spend both days at Palmer Rapids, a very good and
exciting rapid for training. It is a
15-minute paddle from the campsite at Paddler Co-op.
All groups must be self-contained for
camping and food. Camping will be at
Paddler Co-op in the
Groups should arrive at camp on Friday evening. A map accompanies this information. Be sure to register shortly after your
arrival.
REQUIREMENTS
You must be confident in flat water canoeing and understand
the theory of eddy turns and ferrying.
Those who are not must take a pre-training course (no charge),
which will take place at
A helmet is mandatory
for this white water course (water sport or hockey helmet). Bike helmets are NOT PERMITTED ON THIS
COURSE.
An approved PFD
is mandatory and must be worn at all times when on or near the
water.
Swimming - Participants must be able to swim, and not panic if under
water. You do not need to be an
excellent swimmer to enjoy white water canoeing, but it is always an asset.
If at all possible, we would like to
have youth paddling with youth, and adults with adults. We feel that this will be better for learning
for all concerned. Try to avoid having partners
with greatly differing weights. Do your
best.
We would also like partners to have
roughly equal time at both bow and stern positions.
Companies that have an odd number of
people will be paired with another company in the same situation. If the extra person is a youth member, he or
she should paddle with a youth from the other group.
DIRECTIONS
There is no simple direct route to Palmer Rapids. Refer to the
SOME
SIMPLE RULES
No one is permitted on the water at any time without
supervision by Paddler Co-op or by special permission from the camp chief.
Please look after the camping area, and leave it clean and
tidy.
Please respect and obey the instructors. They are there to make sure that you have a
quality white water experience.
Above all, HAVE
SPECIAL
NOTE ON CLOTHING
On one of the courses in 2009, the majority of participants
showed up with only warm weather gear, including cotton sweatshirts. Reality hit in the form of a snowstorm and
high winds. Organizers had no choice but to cancel the training for the
day. Participants and advisors are
strongly advised to prepare for inclement weather and to be sure that they
bring appropriate clothing as detailed in the following page.
WHAT TO
BRING
All camping gear and food.
Drinking water. There
is running water on site.
An approved PFD, whistle, paddle, and seat in a canoe for
each person - these may be rented from Paddler Co-op by prior arrangement, if
desired.
If you are bringing your own paddling gear or borrowing it,
make sure everything is marked with your name.
Paddles and PFDs all look the same, and there will be lots of them.
One helmet per person.
Wearing of these will be
mandatory, and bike helmets are not permitted.
Bug juice. Bug
jackets are an environmentally-friendly alternative. Black files and mosquitoes can be quite bad
at this time of year.
Sunscreen and sunglasses.
Glasses strap.
A water bottle for drinks and another for gorp. Keep these small items in a day pack tied to
a thwart.
Warm clothing. Quick
dry materials such as polypropylene, polyester fleece, and a nylon wind jacket
and pants are recommended. Avoid cotton. A rain suit can double as an extra layer in
cold weather. Rubber or neoprene gloves
and a wet suit are possible additions to the kit list if cold weather is
expected.
Knee pads. These are
optional, but are a welcome luxury.
Some, but not all, canoes have built-in kneepads.
A wet suit is strongly advised if cold or rainy weather is
in the forecast. Contact Paddler Co-op or
any outfitter in town.
WHAT TO
EXPECT
The main thing is that you will get WET, even if you don't dump.
There are generally several dumps during the weekend.
It could be rainy or cool.
Bring extra warm clothes.
Since you will be only a short paddle away, you can leave these at your
campsite.
If you can
afford it, renting a wet suit is a good idea.
Past experience has shown that 2 or 3 dumps are a possibility, and by
then you will be quite cold. Old
sneakers or aqua socks are great for wading in the river; wet feet are a
given. Open-toed footwear are not
allowed.