Solo paddling basics

Would you like the canoe to go exactly where you want it to? Welcome, to join my weekend course with focus on solo paddling. This is the course for those who want to be able to handle the canoe on their own and for those who want to grow in their outdoor skills, in a warm and stimulating group. The goal of this course is for you as a participant to have had a great fun weekend out, perhaps gained new paddling buddies and new skills that lay the foundation for more wonderful adventures with your friends or family. Those who wish also have the opportunity to be examined for the European paddle pass (up to green level).

What's the plan?

We meet up at 10.00 at Folkets hus in Olshammar. After that, we will drive with the cars a further distance to our course lake. There we help unload the canoes and you as a course participant get an introduction to paddling. We pack the canoes, paddle to the weekend's campsite where we have lunch and set up camp. If you have chosen to sleep in a tree tent, you will get help setting it up safely and comfortably. Do you have more questions about the tree tents? Click here.

After that, we sharpen our paddling technique even more. You will learn efficient forward paddling, turning and you will get to experiment with sitting position, trimming the canoe, etc. We go ashore and have lunch. When the food has sunk down, we take a walk around the lake and explore the surroundings. The evening is spent cooking, baking dessert in a dutch oven and talking around the fire. If we have the energy and the weather permits, we might take a small evening trip to try out paddling in the dark.

Sunday we will devote to safety on the water and examination for a green paddle pass - for those who want. During the morning we discuss potential risks with paddling, how we assess, avoid or deal with them. Then we will go through rescue techniques in theory. After that, you will get to swim with a canoe and learn how we can help each other to get back up. Buddy rescue is usually an exercise that some feel nervous about, but which offers many laughs and the new knowledge changes the nervousness for increased security on the water. We go ashore, change and have lunch. After lunch, those who wish have the opportunity to be examined for the paddle pass. It's a bit like a driver's license for canoeing, and a clear way to show what you can actually do as a paddler in communication with associations and employers

What's included?

Canoe, paddles, life jacket and waterproof case for smartphone, knee pad
Food bowls, cups, cutlery and cookware
All meals, one dinner, one breakfast, two lunches and Swedish Fika.

One night in a tree tent, sleeping bag and sleeping mat included.

What do I need to bring?

Clothes according to weather

A complete set of dry, warm clothes for change

Water bottle

Hygiene articles, towel, eventually personal medicine

Snacks NOTE! No nuts, other participants may be allergic

What if I'm allergic/require special diet?

Please, fill in your allergy/diet preferences when booking or notify the course management via the contact details below no later than 72 hours before the start of the course.

Booking and terms

In order to book this course, you must be able to swim and be more than 18 years old.