PE 1508–Flatwater Canoeing
Instructor: Tom Beery
Fall 2007, 1 credit
MW: 8-11:30 AM, Sept 10- October 29
Office hours: TBA
235 Engineering
726-7333
tbeery@d.umn.edu
www.d.umn.edu/~tbeery
The movement of a canoe is like a reed in the wind. Silence is part of it, and the
sounds of lapping water, bird songs, and wind in the trees. It is part of the medium
through which it floats, the sky, the water, the shores. (Sig Olson, (1956)., The Singing Wilderness.
p 77)
GOAL
The goal of this course is to teach you the basics of flatwater canoeing skills; these
skills include canoe carries, canoe safety, stroke development and canoe opportunities
in our region.
Physical skill development is a key element in outdoor education leadership.
OBJECTIVES
 To understand and to know essential canoe safety practices.
 To be able to properly lift a canoe
 To be able to identify canoe/paddle parts (terminology).
 To develop & demonstrate paddling strokes necessary for proficient flatwater
and moving water conditions.
 To be able to properly load a canoe for wilderness canoe travel.
 To be able to identify flatwater canoe opportunities in our region.
 To be outside and to practice these new skills.
EXPECTATIONS
This is an active class requiring a positive attitude and a willingness to participate.
Attendance is mandatory. Because this course is condensed, missing even one class
is equivalent to missing an entire week of material. Be on time for class and be
prepared for the weather conditions (layered clothing, raingear, proper footwear, snacks
and water). Do your readings prior to and in correspondence with the weekly class
subjects.
Please note, while field experiences are an essential component to the outdoor
education we must acknowledge the inherent risk of field program participation. Leaving
campus presents risk management concerns including transportation and field site
based dangers. In order to avoid problems and strengthen our risk management
awareness, it is each student’s responsibility to behave in a manner that promotes
personal and group safety while in the field. Any questions, concerns, specific medical
information, etc. should be directed to the instructor as a part of a shared effort to
ensure a safe and optimal learning environment.
Text
 McGuffin, Gary & Joanie. (1999) Paddle your own canoe. Ontario: Boston
Mills Press.
Suggested reading:
 Mason, Bill (1984). The path of the paddle 2nd edition. New York: Van Nostrand
Reinhold.
Stroke review short movie clips are available on the website for dry land review of stoke
development topics.
The UMD Aquatic Center is located on Park Point, take MN Ave to 15 th St. turn right off
of 15th and look for the brown building on the water’s edge to your right.
SCHEDULE—please note, the specific order of topics may change to
accommodate weather conditions, water quality concerns, etc.
Sept 10:
SpHC 9 at 8 AM: Introduction; Course overview; Hypothermia; Clothing;
Group One: MEET AT POOL - ready to swim at 9:45 am: Canoe
terminology; safety, swim test, self rescue, canoe stability; canoe rescues.
Readings after class: pages 8-17, 19, 41, 110-113 in text
Website: Canoe charts, canoe rescue diagrams, Princeton Outdoor
Action Hypothermia Guide
Sept 14:
MEET AT POOL - ready to swim at 9:45 am
Group Two: MEET AT POOL - ready to swim at 9:45 am: Canoe
terminology; safety, swim test, self rescue, canoe stability; canoe rescues.
Sept 17:
MEET AT THE HARBOR AQUATIC CENTER—READY TO GO AT 8 am
Lifts (1 & 2 person); Class safety, Canoe teamwork; Strokes—forward,
draw, sweep
Readings prior to class: pages 24-32, 38-39, 44-63, 65-67 in text
Website: Bill Mason stroke review
Sept. 24:
Strokes—pry, J, C, reverse stokes; Loading a canoe for wilderness travel;
BWCA Canoe navigation; canoe design.
Readings prior to class: pages 70-77, 100-109
Website: Bill Mason stroke review,
Bill Mason canoe guide, All About Canoes—canoe types
Oct. 1:
Strokes—duffek, cross strokes (cross draw & cross duffek), sculling draw
Readings prior to class: 78-99
Video review assignment presented
Website: Bill Mason stroke review
Oct. 8:
Solo paddling workshop (8-10 am & 10-12 am)
Oct. 15:
TBA
Readings: pages 114-131 in text
Video review assignment due
Oct. 22:
Paddle tour/skills review w/Teach Canoe class
Oct. 29:
Final Written Exam & Practical Exam
GRADING
Participation = 80 points
Video review = 40 points
Practical exam = 100 points
Written exam = 100 points
A = 92%
B = 82%
C = 72%
PREPARATION FOR CLASS
It is essential for your learning and enjoyment of this course that you come to class
prepared for the weather. We will be going outside regardless of the conditions.
Therefore, you must be properly dressed. Please anticipate traffic (both automobile
and boat) in getting to the Aquatic Center. It is imperative that you are timely in being
ready to begin class at 8 am!
A man is part of his canoe and therefore part of all it knows. The instant he dips a
paddle, he flows as it flows, the canoe yielding to his slightest touch, responsive to his
every whim and thought. The paddle is an extension of his arm, as his arm is part of
his body. ...there, too, is a sense of harmony and oneness with the earth. But to the
canoeman there is nothing that compares with the joy he knows when a paddle is in his
hand. (Sig Olson, (1956)., The Singing Wilderness. pp. 77-78)