ORCKA Safe Canoeing INTRODUCTION
Cost: $50
Age: Adults 18+
The ORCKA Safe Canoeing Program provides first-time paddlers with basic safety knowledge and introductory canoeing skills.
By the end of the session, participants will have the confidence to enjoy recreational paddling with a partner close to shore in calm conditions.
Prerequisites: None
Swimming ability is not required. Participants will wear a PFD (life jacket) at all times on the water.
Further details for what to bring will follow once class is fully registered.
Refund policy
We will refund your money in full should we cancel the course you registered for due to under registration, weather or other safety issues. If you choose to cancel your participation more than 14 + days in advance of the course date, we will refund you your payment less $25 for administrative fees. No refunds within two weeks of the course date.
Course Components
Safety
- Canoe-over-canoe rescue demonstration
- Correct fitting of PFDs
Theory
- Equipment knowledge
- Safe canoeing procedures
- Government regulations
On-Water Skills (3–4 hours)
Participants will practice:
- Launching and removing a canoe
- Entering and exiting a canoe
- Paddling positions
- Balancing
- Pivots
- Sideways displacement
- Forward paddling in a straight line
- Stopping
- Landing
- Lifts and carries
If time permits, the session may conclude with a short paddle through the Toronto Islands lagoons.
Dates
Morning Sessions May 17 & May 24
9:30am ferry until approximately 2:00pm
Evening Sessions June 16 & June 24
4:30pm ferry until approximately 8:30pm
Location
Toronto Island Canoe Club Located just west of the Algonquin Island Bridge, off Cibola Avenue.
ORCKA Basic Canoeing Levels 1–2 (Tandem)
Cost: $125
Age: Adults 18+
This 8-hour course is designed for beginner and intermediate paddlers who want to expand their paddling skills, safety awareness, and canoe handling techniques.
Participants will learn skills in both bow and stern positions.
Prerequisites
None, but participants must be comfortable swimming in deep water.
Further details for what to bring will follow once class is fully registered.
Refund policy
We will refund your money in full should we cancel the course you registered for due to under registration, weather or other safety issues. If you choose to cancel your participation more than 14 + days in advance of the course date, we will refund you your payment less $25 for administrative fees. No refunds within two weeks of the course date.
Skills Covered
- Launching and removing canoes
- Entering and exiting canoes
- Paddling positions and trimming
- Changing positions
- Pivots
- Sideways displacement
- Forward and reverse paddling
- Inside and outside turns
- Circles
- Landings
- Stopping
- Lifts and carries
Participants will also learn the following strokes:
- Forward stroke
- Reverse stroke
- Sweep stroke
- Pry
- Draw
- J-stroke
- Stern pry and draw
A canoe-over-canoe rescue is required as both rescuer and swimmer.
Schedule
June 6 — SOLD OUT
July 5 — Open
Location
Toronto Island Canoe Club Located just west of the Algonquin Island Bridge, off Cibola Avenue.
Take the 8:15am Ward’s Island Ferry
Meet at 8:45am at the TICC shoreline
Course ends approximately 5:00 PM.
ORCKA Basic Canoeing Level 3 (Tandem)
Cost: $100
Age: Adults 18+
This course builds on the skills learned in Levels 1 and 2, refining paddling techniques and improving manoeuvring precision.
Completion provides the prerequisite required to register for ORCKA Introduction to Solo Canoeing (Level 4).
Prerequisites
ORCKA Basic Canoeing Level 2 or equivalent experience (with instructor approval).
Participants must be comfortable swimming in deep water.
Further details for what to bring will follow once class is fully registered.
Refund policy
We will refund your money in full should we cancel the course you registered for due to under registration, weather or other safety issues. If you choose to cancel your participation more than 14 + days in advance of the course date, we will refund you your payment less $25 for administrative fees. No refunds within two weeks of the course date.
Course Duration
4–5 hours on the water with a short break.
Schedule
June 28
Take the 9:30 Ward’s Island Ferry
Meet 10:00 AM at the TICC shoreline
Location
Toronto Island Canoe Club Located just west of the Algonquin Island Bridge, off Cibola Avenue.
ORCKA Introduction to Solo Canoeing (Level 4)
Cost: $200
Age: Adults 18+
This two-day course introduces canoeists to solo paddling techniques.
Participants will develop solo canoe control, manoeuvring, and safety skills through intensive on-water practice.
Duration
Two days
Approximately 6 hours per day
Prerequisites
ORCKA Basic Canoeing Level 3 Tandem
Participants must be comfortable swimming in deep water.
Further details for what to bring will follow once class is fully registered.
Refund policy
We will refund your money in full should we cancel the course you registered for due to under registration, weather or other safety issues. If you choose to cancel your participation more than 14 + days in advance of the course date, we will refund you your payment less $25 for administrative fees. No refunds within two weeks of the course date.
Schedule
July 11–12
Take the 9:30 Ward’s Island Ferry
Meet 10:00 AM at the TICC shoreline
Location
Toronto Island Canoe Club Located just west of the Algonquin Island Bridge, off Cibola Avenue.
Introduction to Solo Canoeing Coaching Session
Cost: $100
Age: Adults 18+
This 3-hour coaching session introduces solo canoeing techniques but does not provide full ORCKA certification.
Ideal for paddlers with strong tandem skills who want to explore solo paddling before enrolling in a full course.
Class Size
Limited to 4 participants
Further details for what to bring will follow once class is fully registered.
Refund policy
We will refund your money in full should we cancel the course you registered for due to under registration, weather or other safety issues. If you choose to cancel your participation more than 14 + days in advance of the course date, we will refund you your payment less $25 for administrative fees. No refunds within two weeks of the course date.
Schedule
June 7
Take the 9:30 Ward’s Island Ferry
Meet 10:00 AM at the TICC shoreline
Location
Toronto Island Canoe Club Located just west of the Algonquin Island Bridge, off Cibola Avenue.