Canoe Training

Updated March 19, 2024

Hi, my name is Alan Aslett, and I am a Paddle Canada Canoe Instructor. I am based in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada and can provide training for...

Canoeing Basic Skills Course:

• Participants are introduced to paddling with a partner close to shore on sheltered bodies of water. Rescue options are discussed at this level and can be demonstrated by the instructor. This is a 2 to 4 hour Course that can be run on a summer weeknight, or anytime of year Saturday or Sunday. It can be run for 2 to 10 Participants. Paddling equipment (canoes, paddles, etc.) needs to be arranged, and each person must bring their own properly fitting life jacket / PFD
• The cost is $35 per person.

Introduction Lake Canoe Course:

• Novice paddlers are introduced to paddling with a partner in sheltered calm waters and basic land and water rescue techniques. This is a 1 day or 2-3 evening course and can be run for 2 to 10 Participants. Paddling equipment (canoes, paddles, etc.) needs to be arranged, and each person must bring their own properly fitting life jacket / PFD.
• The cost is $80 per person.

• Expands upon the skills and principles necessary to paddle with a partner in open lake waters, to perform skills and manoeuvres with greater refinement and demonstrate confidence in an open water environments, and to develop a greater awareness of environmental hazards and how to avoid/react to those hazards. This is a 2 day course and can be run for 2 to 10 Participants. Paddling equipment (canoes, paddles, etc.) needs to be arranged, and each person must bring their own properly fitting life jacket / PFD.
• The cost is $170 per person.

Camping Basics Course (including Intro Lake Canoe above):

• This course has been separated out from the older Canoe Tripping Skills Course, but would still be run in combination with one of the Lake Canoe Courses above. The Camping Basic Course along with an Intro Lake Skills would be a weekend including a night camping out. This gives an introduction to Camping. A pre-trip planning meeting (about 2 hours) is required before-hand. This course can be booked for 2 to 8 participants. Paddling equipment (canoes, paddles, etc.) needs to be arranged, and each person must bring their own properly fitting life jacket / PFD. Participants are responsible for their own personal meals and gear and will be discussed at the pre-trip meeting.
• The basic cost is $180 per person, plus any expenses such as park permits.

• This courses has been separated out from the older Canoe Tripping Skills Course, but would still be run in combination with one of the Lake Canoe Courses above. It is intended for those with a solid background camping out. The Wilderness Camping Course along with an Intro Lake Skills would be three days including two nights camping out. This offers the opportunity to expand your skill and knowledge into the exciting world of wilderness canoe camping. A pre-trip planning meeting (about 2 hours) is required before-hand. This course can be booked for 2 to 8 participants. Paddling equipment (canoes, paddles, etc.) needs to be arranged, and each person must bring their own properly fitting life jacket / PFD. Participants are responsible for their own personal meals and gear and will be discussed at the pre-trip meeting.
• The basic cost is $280 per person, plus any expenses such as park permits.

Canoe Rentals:
Kawartha Outfitters (Peterborough) WildRock (Peterborough) Adventure Outfitters (Lakefield) Kawartha Adventure (Woodview) Long Lake Lodge (Apsley)

Useful Websites:
Transport Canada Safe Boating Paddle Canada Bear Creek Outdoor (Jill Baxter) Haskin Canoe (Priscilla Haskin) Canada Canoe Routes Canadian Canoe Museum Esquif Langford Mad River Nova Craft Paluski Scott Swift Trent-Severn Canal System

Other Info:
Special Rates available for Scouts, Guides, Cadets and similar groups. I can also act as a Trip Leader for you, and assist with your outfitting, upon request.

More details on the national Paddle Canada program can be found here.

Contact:
For more details contact me at alan(at)aslett.ca [replace the (at) with the @ sign], or call at (705) 930-4452 Evenings / Weekends.