TRAINING

Important Training Policies

Allocation of spaces on courses

Registration is not first-come-first-serve.

The club makes every effort to allow members to sign up for the courses they want. If possible, we will add instructors to allow increased enrollment. However, many courses are taught by external instructors and capacity is limited. Moreover, we have only so many instructor volunteers in the club.

Members may register at the Open House or directly with the Training Coordinator until two weeks after the Open House (i.e. 10 April 2009). All applications must be accompanied by a cheque for the course fee. If there are more applicants than places, names will be drawn out of hat todetermine who is given a spot and who will be puton a waiting list.

Cheques will be held, but not cashed, until anindividual is accepted for a course. Uncashed cheques will be destroyed.

NEW! Members who believe they deserve special consideration for a reserved spot on a particular course may apply to the Executive by contacting the President.

Non-refundable deposits

The first $50 of a course fee is a non-refundable deposit. This is required because, in the past, too many individuals registered for courses and then withdrew at the last minute creating a lot of inconvenience for volunteer instructors and for participants.

If you cannot attend and there is a wait list, you lose your deposit. If there is no wait list, and you can find a replacement on your own, your deposit will be refunded.

Refunds in special circumstances, such as bereavement or medical problems, will be considered by the Training Co-ordinator on a case-by- ase basis. The club will also refund fees if the date of the course is changed or was not set when you signed up.

NEW! Boat Rentals and Training

This year we are asking those taking training to indicate whether they need to rent a boat and to pay for the rental when they sign up for the course.This is intended to save administration for all concerned.

If you rent a boat when you register, the course coordinator will ensure a boat is reserved for you. You just have to visit the shed to pick it up. If you do not rent when you register, and later decide you need to rent a boat, you will be responsible for visiting the shed, filling out the paperwork and sending the payment in to the Treasurer. If there are no club boats available, you will be responsible for arranging your own private rental.

Training subsidies

The club subsidizes training fees for two general classes of training: safety-related training such as first aid and river rescue; and ORCKA Instructor courses and Instructor registration. The amount of the subsidy given to a participant depends on the amount approved in the budget and available at the end of the paddling season for that purpose. The amount also depends on the number of participants who qualify for a subsidy that year.

In the past, the club subsidy has ranged from 25 to 50% of the course fee.

Subsidies are awarded in the following manner:

• Club safety-related courses: No application is necessary. Participants will receive rebates authorized at the close of paddling season;
• External safety-related courses: The Executive may subsidize participation in an external course under the following conditions:
  • the individual has made significant contributions to the club;
  • application is made in advance;
  • the course is completed successfully;
  • funds are available; 
• ORCKA Instructor courses: The Executive may subsidize participation in an ORCKA Instructor course under the same conditions as other external courses. Generally, instructors must have taught at least one club course the current year.

Course Costs

The cost of a course is made up of three parts:

• course fee;
• boat rental;
• travel and camping costs.

We charge the course fee when you register. You can also pay for any boat rental you require at that time.

We will advise you of estimated travel and camping fees at registration, but these cannot be worked out in advance. They are pooled among participants and then settled by them at the end of a course in a manner similar to a club trip.

Unlike club trips, instructors do not pay. Their camping and travel costs are divided amongst course participants and paid by them.

An Obligation to be on time

You have a obligation to be respectful of your fellow members by being on time to class starts, meeting at rendez-vous points on time, and having your gear organized. When you are late, you are taking training time away from everyone.

Ontario Recreational Canoe and Kayaking Association (ORKCA)

Many of the courses we offer have been created by the Ontario Recreational Canoe and Kayaking Association (ORCKA).

What is ORCKA?

ORCKA is one of four organizations affiliated with Canoe Ontario. It concerns itself with the interests of recreational canoeists in the province of Ontario. ORCKA was established to promote thedevelopment of safe, competent and knowledgeablerecreational canoeists. To accomplish this goal:

ORCKA has developed levels of instruction for Lakewater canoeists, Moving Water paddlers and Canoe Tripping enthusiasts. The ORCKA Canoeing Program* is the only provincially recognized program of instruction in Ontario. From beginner to expert instructor, ORCKA canoeing standards are recognized and used by clubs, camps, schools, and many other organizations throughout the province. ORCKA accredits more than 150 organizations (including the Ottawa Y Canoe Camping Club) to use the ORCKA Canoeing Program. These organizations offer high quality instruction to several thousand canoeists every year.

• ORCKA conducts Instructor Courses which certify some of the best canoeists and teachers to be ORCKA Instructors.

• ORCKA organizes and delivers the Safe Canoeing Program in several Ontario Provincial Parks. Each summer, more than four thousand campers attend these presentations which provide instruction in safe canoeing practices.

• ORCKA has produced brochures, pamphlets and fact sheets for distribution to the public. This written material provides information on safe canoeing practices and promotes ORCKA events and courses of interest to canoeists.

• ORCKA has many volunteers throughout the province who serve as regional representatives for the association. They assist clubs, organizations, outfitters, the public, etc. interested in canoeing and ORCKA.

• ORCKA “recruits” members (individuals and organizations), who we hope will promote safe canoeing practices whenever and wherever they paddle.

The ORCKA Canoeing Program mirrors the standards adopted by Paddle Canada (formerly the CRCA) for use in the CRCA Canoeing Program, the nationally accepted standard. These standards were adapted from the ORCKA Canoeing Program (1996 revision) for use as the national standard.

What is the ORCKA Canoeing Program?

The ORCKA canoeing program consists of several skill levels beginning with canoeing fundamentals (Flatwater) and progressing to the highest skill level (Level 2) and Instructor status (Flatwater Instructor or Level 2 Instructor).

A novice canoeist would begin canoeing instruction at the Flatwater level. When the Flatwater skills have been mastered, the canoeist could choose to follow one or all of the three disciplines of instruction: Lakewater (precision paddling and canoe ballet), Moving Water, and Canoe Tripping.

There are three levels in each discipline. Level 1 is devoted to introducing the skills of that particular canoeing discipline; this level can also be divided into two solo and tandem components for flexible programming. Level 2 in each of the three disciplines represents the highest canoeing skills level in the ORCA canoeing program.

The Flatwater Instructor level qualifies candidates to teach the beginner or Flatwater program. Level 2 Instructors in any discipline can teach Flatwater and also level 1 and 2 of that discipline. In order to enter the Level 2 Instructor program, the candidate must have level 2 of that discipline and must also be a current Flatwater Instructor.

This year’s training

This year’s course offerings are listed in the training sections of the website.