On day one, or Thursday evening as it were, we met at the YCCC storage shed off Woodroffe Ave next to the YMCA pool at about 7. After general introductions we proceeded with some general Canoe physiology and practiced getting in and out of Karen's beautiful renditions of canoes chalked out on the parking lot asphalt. When we mastered that it was time to enter the arena and the real game began. We placed 4 canoes in the YMCA's pool and were taught the rigours of capsizing and then retrieving the canoes we had to work with. We paired up and took turns helping capsized paddlers right their boats and re-enter them. We all had a good laugh and actually I was surprised at the above-average ability we all had. By the end of the night after about 2.5 hours we were pretty good at getting the job done proficiently. As always, safety was explained. We couldn't have done it with out our proficient instructors. Thanks guys.

On the following Saturday morning everyone showed up at the shed just off Woodoffe Ave in great spirits even though the rain did not let up at all and there was no sign of a break in the weather. I thought to myself the turnout was quite remarkable all being considered.  Being the first course my wife and I had taken with the club, we were both pleasantly surprised at the great turnout.

The more the merrier...

The instructors Karen, Rob and Mark were wonderful and very in tune with the different needs and skill levels of each of the 11 participants that took part. The age range was between 15 and 67, which wasn't relevant, as everyone worked well together and actually blended quite nicely for the brief time we were together. After a brief introduction again, we were shown the proper way to carry and secure a canoe to a vehicle and it was very well done as some of the participants hadn't done this task before. After everyone mastered the task to an acceptable level and the instructors were satisfied, making sure everyone understood the importance of securing the boat to the vehicles, Mark showed us the proper way to use the truckers hitch knot. Mark had no problem being really patient while everyone got the gist of it. It wasn't as difficult as it was confusing to figure it out.

Now with our boats secured to the vehicles we were off to Black Rapids. The rain never let up and on the way to the locks at Black Rapids I said to my wife Margaret these people are real diehards to venture out in this weather for a day of instruction. Some were dressed for it and others not so much. Margaret and I wore half wet suits so we were just fine and funny enough it didn't turn out so bad. When we arrived at the locks we had some instruction on how to launch the canoes using different methods depending if you were by yourself or had help from your partners.

Once the boats were in the water, everyone paired up in their own boats and the instructors had their boats and paddled amongst us giving us valuable tips and hints so we did not have to work as hard to master the paddling strokes they were trying to teach us...

“I must say” they had the patience of Job. The rains were relentless and never let up, but did that sway us? NO WAY!!...

I have to admit I went into this a bit reluctant, with a little knowledge, but found that I really did get a lot out of it and gained a lot of insight about my wife and how important communication skills with your partner are, to paddle effortlessly and enjoy it more....

Thank you, instructors, for that little bonus... very unexpected, I assure you.

By lunch time we were all ready for a break and ready to get out of the rain if only for a short while. Everyone was very hospitable and things were shared back and forth. If you wanted a little extra besides your own lunch, Mark was offering everyone hot chocolate and wonderful chocolate balls that really made my day, never enough chocolate...and those little Timbits were great as well.

With lunch done it was back in the boats for more instruction. We switched positions from stern to bow and visa versa and by the end of the day I don't think anyone was lacking instruction or not ready for a hot bath. Karen could be heard sloshing in her boots every time she moved. They had filled up with water and she was happy to finally empty them at the end of the day. With a brief critique we loaded our boats on our vehicles and made the trip back to the shed to put the boats away for the night.

The next day we planned to go through some theory and practice some safety techniques required by the course and finish the day in the water back at Black Rapids. With the miserable weather behind us we all woke to a much better day weather-wise on Sunday and re-grouped at the shed for our final day of the course. Everyone showed up in great spirits and much better prepared clothing-wise for the day ahead. By lunch time we had covered all that was to be covered technically regarding safety, what to take on trips and how to do a rescue using a throw rope. It was suggested by Karen and decided by the group, that while the weather was much better this day than the day before, we would eat lunch in the shed before going back to Black Rapids, so we had a comfortable place to eat. After lunch we all headed back to the water and God's weather gave us a break. The sun came out for a short time. The temperature dropped a little but the rains stayed away making for a fantastic finish to a great weekend. With everything done that was necessary, the completion cards distributed verifying the completion of the course, and many photos taken, we all loaded our boats and headed back to the shed.

I would just like to take this time to say thank you and acknowledge that this course was very worthwhile and informative and all the instructors, Karen, Rob and Mark were wonderful and if any of you out there ever get a chance to enhance your canoe knowledge with any of these instructors you will get much more than you bargained for. From Margaret and myself, thank you to all that participated and thanks for the help you so graciously gave to make this weekend course a success and a lot of fun.

Margaret and Alan