The open (Canadian) canoe is synonymous with journeying, teamwork, and bushcraft travel. When paddled well as a pair, it becomes an exceptionally efficient and elegant way to move through the landscape—linking camps, carrying expedition equipment, and opening access to wild places that are otherwise unreachable on foot.
One of the most common challenges for aspiring expedition paddlers is gaining real, practical experience of handling an open canoe as a team on exposed water before committing to a wilderness journey—whether that is the vast sweep of Lake Laberge on the Yukon River or the interconnecting lakes of our Swedish canoe expeditions.
This course is designed to answer that need.
The Open Water Canoe Skills Day Course – Tandem offers a focused and immersive day on open water, led by an open water canoe leader–qualified instructor with extensive expedition experience. The emphasis is on developing clear communication, efficient teamwork, and confident decision-making, enabling pairs to travel safely and effectively in open, wind-affected environments.
OPTION 1:
Buy this course as a gift voucher for someone else. Valid for 18 months.
BUY GIFT VOUCHER
OPTION 2:
Choose the number of places, pay a deposit now and the balance 8 weeks before the course starts or pay in full now.
Select from the dates below.
The open (Canadian) canoe is synonymous with journeying, teamwork, and bushcraft travel. When paddled well as a pair, it becomes an exceptionally efficient and elegant way to move through the landscape—linking camps, carrying expedition equipment, and opening access to wild places that are otherwise unreachable on foot.
One of the most common challenges for aspiring expedition paddlers is gaining real, practical experience of handling an open canoe as a team on exposed water before committing to a wilderness journey—whether that is the vast sweep of Lake Laberge on the Yukon River or the interconnecting lakes of our Swedish canoe expeditions.
This course is designed to answer that need.
The Open Water Canoe Skills Day Course – Tandem offers a focused and immersive day on open water, led by an open water canoe leader–qualified instructor with extensive expedition experience. The emphasis is on developing clear communication, efficient teamwork, and confident decision-making, enabling pairs to travel safely and effectively in open, wind-affected environments.
Open Water Canoe Skills Day Course
Open Water Canoe Skills Day Course
Open Water Canoe Skills Day Course
Open Water Canoe Skills Day Course
Open Water Canoe Skills Day Course
Open Water Canoe Skills Day Course
Location and Setting
The course takes place at Tittesworth Reservoir, set within the dramatic landscape of the Peak District National Park. This open-water environment provides the perfect classroom for learning how wind, weather, and exposure affect canoe handling.
On arrival, participants are welcomed and kitted out for the day. All canoes, buoyancy aids, and paddles are provided, allowing you to focus fully on learning and enjoyment.
Preparation and Foundations
The day begins with a detailed introduction to the open canoe and its setup for journeying on exposed water. Instruction covers:
- Canoe trim and load positioning
- Paddle selection and efficiency
- Using wind and environmental conditions to your advantage
- Safe launching and landing techniques
Participants are then guided through safe entry and exit from the canoe, before setting out on the water to begin building confidence and familiarity.
The morning focuses on developing core paddling strokes that allow precise control and efficient forward travel. These include:
- J-stroke and C-stroke
- Pitch stroke
- Native American stroke
- Bow and skulling draws
- Correct use of power and correction
Rather than simply practising strokes in isolation, participants learn how and when to use them to place the canoe exactly where they intend.
Journeying and Wind Management
As skills develop, the focus shifts toward journeying techniques—the skills that make longer open-water travel efficient, safe, and enjoyable.
Participants learn how to:
- Travel with, against, and across the wind
- Adjust trim dynamically as conditions change
- Use towing systems such as V-tow, box-tow, and rafting
- Employ improvised sailing techniques where appropriate
- Track and pole the canoe in shallow or sheltered areas
Throughout the day, instructors draw on expedition experience to explain how these techniques are applied in real-world journeys, helping participants understand not just how to do something, but why it matters.
A relaxed lunch stop is taken on the water’s edge, providing time to rest, refuel, and reflect on the morning’s progress. This is a non-catered course, so participants should bring a packed lunch and a brew.
Confidence, Control, and Safety
The afternoon builds confidence further, reinforcing skills through longer paddles and varied conditions where possible. Participants are encouraged to read the water, anticipate changes in wind and weather, and make thoughtful decisions about positioning and progress.
For those who wish, the day concludes with an introduction to self-rescue techniques, giving participants the reassurance that they can manage themselves and their canoe should things go wrong. These techniques are taught in a controlled and supportive manner, focusing on realistic scenarios rather than unnecessary risk.
In Summary
The Open Water Canoe Skills Day Course provides an essential stepping stone between flatwater paddling and wilderness canoe expeditions. Participants leave with:
- Strong paddling technique
- A clear understanding of wind, trim, and load management
- Practical journeying and safety skills
- Increased confidence to paddle open water independently
This course is ideal for those preparing for expedition travel, developing personal canoe skills, or seeking a deeper, more capable relationship with the open canoe as a tool for exploration.
