June/July 2005 Volume 31 Issue 6  

Canoeing Certification for Moving Water

Basic River Canoeing
     The Red Cross Basic River Canoeing course teaches basic river and whitewater (no more than Class II rapids) tandem canoeing skills. It provides students with an awareness of the hazards in the sport of river canoeing and helps them develop the safety skills and knowledge to avoid them. It also provides the students with the skills necessary to rescue themselves and others from routine accidents.

Who: Girls age 14 and up and adults
Where: TBA and San Marcos, Texas
When: In-town session: August 10, 6:30- 10 p.m., Location TBA
River session: August 20-21,
7 a.m. Saturday to 5 p.m. Sunday at Pecan Park Campground on the San Marcos River in Martindale
Bring: ARC Learn to Swim Level IV swim card or better, GSSJC Safe Boating Card
Min./Max.: 8/20
Cost: $50 plus camp fee ($6 per night) and food (two camp breakfasts, two river lunches and dinner)
Note: All participants must satisfactorily complete the Red Cross small craft swim test at the beginning of the course and have the following canoe ability: ARC Fundamentals of Canoeing certificate and above average flat water boat handling skills. Plan to purchase and read prior to class: Arc Canoeing and Kayaking, read chapters 5 and 6.

Basic River
Canoeing Instructor

The purpose of the Red Cross Basic River Canoeing Instructor course is to train instructor candidates on how to teach the ARC Basic River Canoeing course, develop an understanding of the use of course materials, how to conduct training sessions, understand the methods used to evaluate student progress, and prepare and submit records and reports.

Who: Girls age 17 and up and adults
Where: TBA and San Marcos
When: In-town session August 10, 6:30- 10 p.m. Location TBA
River session: August 20-21,
7 a.m. Saturday to 5 p.m. Sunday at Pecan Park Campground on the San Marcos River in Martindale
Bring: Copies of ARC Fundamentals of Canoeing Instructor certificate, current within two years and ARC Basic River Canoeing certificate
Min./Max.: 4/8
Cost: $50 plus camp fee ($6 per night) and food (two camp breakfasts, two river lunches and dinner)

Prerequisites:
Swimming Ability:

  • Stay Afloat for 10 minutes
  • Swim two body lengths under water
  • Tow a victim three body lengths
Canoeing Ability:
  • Above average moving or whitewater boat handling skills
  • Knowledge of moving water canoeing safety, self rescue and rescue of other skills
Note: Plan to purchase and re-read PRIOR to class: Arc Canoeing and Kayaking, read chapters 5 and 6.

Small Craft Safety
Two courses–choose Small Craft Safety-Canoeing or Small Craft Safety-Sailing

     If you know how to canoe and are comfortable handling a solo canoe take SCS-Canoeing. If you know how to sail a Sunfish sailboat on all points of sail by yourself, take SCS-Sailing.
     This Red Cross course was developed in collaboration with the American Camp Association and GSUSA, to meet the needs of camps and other organizations that conduct small craft activities. The American Camp Association will accept the Small Craft Safety Program as meeting accreditation standards for camps in the area of small craft supervision. This course is designed to provide individuals such as camp personnel, trip leaders, and those involved in small craft activities the information and skills necessary to prevent, recognize, and respond to small craft emergencies. This course will also prepare individuals for small craft emergencies by teaching them how to protect themselves while helping others. These courses do not teach you how to canoe or sail. Take FUNdamentals of canoeing if you do not know how to canoe. Take Basic Sailing if you do not know how to sail.
     SCS-Sailing is also for those knowing how to sail and is a way to be checked off on their skills so that they may help with the sailing program. Depending upon skill proficiency it may eliminate the need to take the RCBS course. Adults wishing to help with the sailing program will find this course particularly useful.

SCS-Canoeing and SCS-Sailing run concurrently, indicate which one you want to take on the registration form

Who:             Girls ages 12 and up and adults
Where:         Casa Mare
When:          July 29-30, 7 p.m. Friday to 5:30 p.m. Saturday
Min./Max.:  4/12 for each course
Cost:            $25 Includes meals but does not include book
Note:            Plan to purchase and read prior to the class the                         following book: Arc Small Craft Safety.
SCS-Canoeing Prerequisites
  • Red Cross Learn to Swim Level III swim card, GSSJC Safe Boating Card (Bring cards to class)
  • ARC FUNdamentals of Canoeing practical skills and knowledge (No certifications needed, only skills needed)
  • Demonstrate basic boat handling skills by solo paddling a set course
Prerequisites for both classes:
  • Float or tread water for one minute without a life jacket
  • Swim any stroke for 25 yards without a life jacket
  • Swim any stroke for 25 yards while wearing a life jacket
  • ALL participants must satisfactorily complete the Red Cross small craft swim test on the day of the event.
SCS-Sailing Prerequisites
  • Red Cross Level IV swim card or better and GSSJC Safe Boating Test Certificate (Bring cards to class)
  • ARC Basic Sailing practical skills and knowledge (No certifications needed, only skills needed)
  • Demonstrate basic boat handling skills by sailing solo a set course using all points of sail
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