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Classic Solo Canoeing - 2010 Tour - About Lessons
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Image ©
Priscilla Haskin
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FAQ
About Lessons
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How do I sign-up for a course?
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Is there any reason a class could be cancelled that Becky is teaching?
- How
does Becky teach her classes?
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What levels will be on offer?
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What is the class ratio?
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What happens if my skills are too low or high for a course?
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What equipment should I bring to my class?
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Is there any homework I can do before the class?
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Is this going to hurt?
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What are Reid and Becky's accreditations?
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Do I get a Classic Solo badge of accreditation?
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What is the price?
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How do I sign-up for a course?
Contact
the venue you want to attend. Send that contact an email expressing an
interest that you would like to sign-up. Be sure to inquire what the
additional venue fees could be.
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Is there any reason a
class could be cancelled that Becky is teaching?
An extreme weather event or an unforeseen travel problem may result in the cancellation of the course.
If the course is cancelled you'll have to check with the venue for
a refund.
- How
and what does Becky teach in her classes?
Becky and Reid teaches
Classic Solo Canoeing
(a Canadian style of paddling) courses.
Session Description:
Becky Mason and her husband Reid McLachlan make a winning flatwater teaching team. Efficient
traditional solo paddling will be the order of the day You will be
taught a number of Canadian heritage strokes and discover how these strokes have evolved into
the manouevers of today. Mason and McLachlan's aim is to make your stroke the most efficient
it can be so that all of the momentum of the canoe is utilized. They teach you the placement
of the blade and where timing is the key to accomplishing a seamless series of strokes.
These two experts make a superb team; they are friendly, funny and skilled instructors.
Some of the content that could be covered, time permitting, include: a review of Basic Solo
plus a selection of these flatwater solo paddling strokes: Canadian, Indian, Box, Bow Jam &
Cut, Circle, Low Brace Turn and Sculling Draw, High Brace sideslip, One-Hand Pry, Running Pry Sideslip, Pitch, Cross Bow Draw, Reverse Sculling, Low Circle,
Compound and Northwoods strokes. Becky has been developing her unique Classic Solo Canoeing
course for the past 21 years. This will be a opportunity to pick up some handy instructor tips
and some tried and true teaching methods that aid in creating a friendly safe teaching environment for
participants too.
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What levels does
Classic Solo Canoeing offer?
BASIC SOLO (Intermediate)
The aim is to make your stroke the most efficient it can
be so all the momentum of the canoe is utilised. Solo canoeing covering skills such as forward
and back paddling, pivots, sideslips, stopping and bracing. Learn the skills that will enable
you to "put your canoe exactly where you want it to go." No solo experience is required but
it is helpful if people have paddled in a canoe or kayak before.
CLASSIC SOLO (Advanced)
This course will be honing solo canoeing skills. The emphasis will be on
the timing of the stroke. There will be time to do
some strokes on request, which will involve more advanced manoeuvres. Prerequisite is Basic Solo or a couple of years of solo or
tandem canoeing experience
It maybe helpful for you to look at my
course write-up
that I
usually teach. Your class will be similar but not
as many strokes will be
taught because of the time constraints.
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What is the class ratio?
The class size is usually up to a maximum of six students for my solo
classes but it depends on the venue. If you look over to the
picture on the left it's not a stretch to imagine yourself sitting in
one of those canoes. The course is conducted by me (Becky) demonstrating each
stroke
and then the canoe class splits into two groups with an instructor (me and
Reid if he's along to teach) for
each group. After each stroke is discussed and accomplished, the group comes together to see me demonstrate
a new skill. This system works well because Reid and I rotate between the groups with each new
stroke.
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What happens if my skills are too low or high for a course?
I tailor my courses into two focus groups. The Basic is taught a bit slower and
the Classic is taught with a faster learning curve in mind. So depending
on the overall skill level of the group that dictates how many strokes I
share with you. The beauty of my course set-up is that Reid and I spend as
much time as needed to make your stroke as efficient as possible and to
make you as comfortable as possible within the learning environment. You are paying a premium for the
individual attention you'll be receiving so, no matter what your level,
everyone will leave having learned a lot. We really enjoy
teaching all levels of canoeing from someone who has never stepped in a
canoe to an expert canoe instructor.
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What equipment should I bring to my class?
A canoe, paddle, PFD (life vest) and any other safety gear
required where you paddle. Ideally
your canoe should have a bit of rocker so the ends will rise out of the water
when keeled over to the side. But really you are welcome to bring your
favourite canoe of any design to my class and we'll work with it. I like
Ottertail
paddles (narrow blade) but you are welcome to
bring any sort of design. It would be good to bring a straight shaft if
you have it. Check out my profile about Canadian
canoeing equipment
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Is there any homework I can do before the class?
You
might want to consider a
club night or get together to view my
Classic Solo Canoeing DVD before taking a session so you get more
out of my classes.
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Is this
going to hurt?
I like to
work with my students until they are comfortable in the canoe. I have
lots of students that show up for a class that can't bend a knee or have a bad shoulder or creaky back. We work out the best paddling position
for you because paddling isn't fun if you're not comfortable.
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What
are Reid and Becky's accreditations?
Paddle Canada
Lake Canoe Instructor Advanced Solo
Lake Canoe Instructor Advanced Tandem
Lake Canoe Instructor Intermediate Solo
Lake Canoe Instructor Intermediate Tandem
Lake Canoe Instructor Solo
Lake Canoe Instructor Tandem
Lake Canoe Instructor Trainer Advanced Solo
Lake Canoe Instructor Trainer Advanced Tandem
Lake Canoe Instructor Trainer Intermediate Solo
Lake Canoe Instructor Trainer Intermediate Tandem
Lake Canoe Instructor Trainer Solo
Lake Canoe Instructor Trainer Tandem.
Becky's
presentation
experience
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Do I get a Classic Solo badge of accreditation?
"Badges! We don't need no stinkin' badges!". Or,
what I mean to say is, sorry I will not be handing out accreditation due to the short duration of the
courses. I will have course content flyer you can take away with you.
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What is the price?
I usually teach two hour classes of Classic Solo Canoeing
when are various venues but I do sometimes offer other styles of instruction. The
fees usually works out to approxiately $52.00cdn per
person for two hours of instruction. You need to check
with the venue for the price.
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