Canoeing opens brand new adventures in Scouts. Imagine setting up camp at the base of a waterfall or camping on your own island reached only by water. In a few years you might want to venture into whitewater and explore other things starting from what you learn now.

To start you off on the right foot, you will be introduced and trained on how to handle yourself safely in a canoe. This is a very important part in your training. You will be taught in the pool and later in the water.

Hands on training usually begins in April, to prepare these are some of the words that you should remember and know what they are;

You should learn the basic parts of a canoe;

· Bow
· Port
· Gunwale
· Centreline
· Stern
· Starboard
· Gunnel
You should also know the parts of a paddle;
· Grip
· Tip
· Shaft
· Blade
· Face
· Throat
There are diagrams of the canoe and paddle in the Canoe Anatomy and Paddle Anatomy section

There are six basic paddle strokes you will learn and a brief description is found in the Paddle Strokes section.

You will learn and be familiar with these basic canoe strokes;

· Bow Stroke
· J - Stroke
· Forward Stroke (most important)
· Back Stroke
· Sweep & Reverse Sweep
· Draw & Cross-Draw
After you are familiar with the parts of a canoe and paddle, we will take you to the pool for some training. Some of the things you will learn are;
· What to do if your canoe capsizes (tips over)
· How to enter and exit a canoe safely
· How to use a rescue throw rope
· What rafting up means
· How to stay balanced in a canoe

Later you will learn how to launch and land a canoe and get to practice your strokes in the water.

Wow, that sounds like a lot doesn't it? Well, it will come naturally when you learn it and you won't even need to think about it and will be easy and fun. There is a picture of a canoe and paddle to help you out in the Canoe and Paddle Anatomy Section. Read them and know those parts, then in read on to 'Part II Paddling Strokes'. See you there.