PEEWEE: You selected “I am new to the sport of Sprint Canoe and Kayak”
Welcome to the graceful, challenging and Fun sport of Sprint Canoe and Kayak. Peewee age paddlers can join Spring (May-June) after after-school and daylong Sumer (Jul-Aug) programs. After-school sessions are held in the Fall (Sept-Nov).
Being new to our sport we have a couple of options for you. If you are not sure this is the sport for you but still want to test it out you can join a two-week introduction we call our Regatta Ready program.
Regatta Ready is a non-member program that gives you all the basics you need to continue on in the program after two weeks or at another time. For two weeks the Regatta Ready paddlers will cover all the same introductory activities as members who join the full sprint members program (see below). Upon completion of the Regatta Ready program you can stay with all your new friends by becoming a member of the club and the full sprint program. You will not even notice the transformation.
Note: Limitations on enrolment may be in place so if you know you want to stay on longer then the two week introductory session it is best to enroll in the members sprint program to start.
Peewee Members Sprint Program:
If you are new to Sprint Canoe and Kayak but already know what a great time you will have you can join right in the fun.
Our coaches are excited to start building a team of Purple Power who will spend the day at the club with their friends learning all the skills and fundamentals of Canoe/Kayak in a fun-filled, healthy and encouraging environment.
The daily summer schedule will run from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm (9:00am - 12:00pm Fridays). Monday through Thursday will be broken into four sessions with a lunch break in the middle of the day. Paddlers will be grouped according to age and ability, and will rotate through all four sessions including a big boat session (war canoe), kayak session, canoe session and a fun dry land/games session. Fridays will run with two sessions in the morning, and the day ending at lunch. Rideau’s coaching team on-site will supervise lunch-hour. Atom paddlers may have lunch off-site but must be accompanied by an adult.
Pre-requisites:
Although no paddling experience is required, new paddlers must demonstrate minimum swim ability. Prior to getting in boats participants must show they have the ability to tread water or otherwise float for 5min and swim 50 metres (any stroke). Instructors will assess swimming ability on the 1st day of the program so please come ready to get in the water. Swim ability is accessed without a lifejacket or other flotation device. If your child is nervous about this process we welcome you to swim along with your child to ease the nerves.
Equipment:
The Rideau Canoe Club will supply all paddling equipment. Although we have PFD’s for paddlers we highly recommend that paddlers wear a personally owned PFD to ensure comfort and fit for paddling. A racing jersey is required for all EOD and Ontario sanctioned events. We will have clothing available for sale in early May. Paddlers must bring water bottle, sunscreen, hat, running shoes, spare clothing and a healthy lunch and snacks each day. Clothes that are light, loose fitting and made of quick drying fabric are best.
Registration: Please download the registration form for individual sprint members or if part of a family membership please select the Family membership form as well. These forms are found here.
