The YCCC Beginner Flatwater Solo Canoe Training took part this past weekend at Meech Lake. The two full day training session, which was instructed by Lynette Chubb with assistance from Mark Scott, served as a great opportunity for the 6 participants to learn and practice solo rescue techniques (including a wonderful shallow water t-pee demonstration from Diane to start us off), correct body placement in the canoe and propelling and correction strokes.

The setting was perfect as Meech provided an excellent entry point, shallow waters to practice rescues and learn new strokes with confidence and beautiful scenery to enjoy during (frequent) times of break. The course culminated with a hard working lake paddle into the wind followed by a very lazy wind driven float back. Throw in some swimming, experimentation of different types of canoes (or musical canoes in the words of Lynette), lots of time to practice new strokes with instant feedback from instructors and plenty of good stories and laughs (mostly inspired by Mark) and the experience was excellent. Thank you to Lynette and Mark on behalf of all of the participants.