Balmy Beach Canoe Club

     PADDLING PROGRAMS



The Balmy Beach Canoe Club offers paddling programs for all ages and at all levels of competitiveness. No previous paddling experience is necessary and the Club supplies all equipment. The Spring/Summer session runs from May 1 to October 31 and the programs available during that session are the following:

The Club also offers a Kids Summer Sports Camp  (Ages 8-12).

KIDDIE CANOE & KAYAK PROGRAM
This is a six week program (July 3- Aug 11 ) running for two hours every afternoon except Wednesdays from 1:15 pm to 3:15 pm.  Kids will learn basic water safety skills and how to handle racing canoe and kayaks.  There are also dry-land activities and games to develop co-ordination, fitness, promote teamwork and most of all: to have FUN!!  The season culminates with a competition, the Atom championship, which is held in Mississauaga on August 2nd.
PLEASE NOTE:  Kids who are in this age categorty MUST participate in this program and not in our morning program unless they have an older sbiling and have spoken to the coahing staff or Registrar.  They are NOT permitted to participate in our spring paddling (May & June).

BANTAM PROGRAM  

The Bantam Program is offered to boys and girls ages 10 to 14. It provides an introduction to competitive canoe and kayak racing with emphasis placed on water safety, equipment care, skill development, team spirit and fun. Participants train in singles boats, doubles and fours team boats, and the 15 person war canoe. The program is divided into three segments (May & June), (July & August), (September & October). Participants may participate in one or all of the segments, but there is no reduction in price for limited involvement. In May & June and September & October, practices are held three times a week – on weekdays after school and on Saturday mornings. In July & August, the program runs from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesdays to Fridays. Starting in mid-June, participants will be involved in regional inter-club regattas held on most Saturdays until mid-August. They will also attend divisional qualifying trials held in late July where top crews will go on to the Cloverleaf Championships (attended by clubs from Western Ontario, Eastern Ontario and Quebec) and the Ontario Championships held in mid-August.

DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 

Generally but not necessarily, participants in the Development Program are 13 to 16 years and have at least one season of paddling experience. Training becomes more intense with practices held at least three times a week - on weekdays in the late afternoon, possibly on some early mornings, and on Saturday mornings during May & June and September & October. Starting in mid-June, participants will be involved in regional inter-club regattas held on most Saturdays until mid- August. Emphasis is on "learning to train”, especially in singles boats, but paddlers also train and race in doubles and fours team boats and the 15 person war canoe. They will attend qualifying trials for the Ontario Championships and National Championships in late July and, if successful, will go on to participate at these events held in mid and late August.


HIGH PERFORMANCE PROGRAM

The High Performance Program is designed to meet the needs of the Club’s most serious athletes with the highest degree of paddling experience and whose objective is selection to either the Provincial or National Team. Paddlers will attend Provincial and National Team trials. Goal setting is stressed and reviewed regularly, with emphasis placed on skill development, technique, personal fitness and nutrition. Paddlers attend six to eight practices a week, with practices held weekdays in the early mornings, late afternoons, and on Saturday mornings during May & June and September & October. Starting in mid-June, participants will be involved in regional inter-club regattas held on most Saturdays until mid-August.  They train mostly in singles boats but are able to train and race in doubles and fours team boats and the 15 person war canoe. They will attend qualifying trials for the Ontario Championships and National Championships in late July and can expect to qualify to participate in races at these events held in mid and late August.


WAR CANOE PROGRAM 

All participants in the Development, Competitive and High Performance Programs may and are encouraged to participate in the War Canoe Program, but it is also offered as a stand-alone program. This program is designed to meet the competitive needs for youth 13 years and over. War canoe paddling skills are taught with personal fitness and team building being an integral part of the program. Practices are held at least once a week during May & June and three times a week during July & August. Crews can expect to participate in most Saturday regattas during July & August, and will attend qualifying trials for the Ontario Championships and National Championships in late July and can expect to qualify to participate at these events held in mid and late August. Selection of crews at regattas will be the decision of the coaches. Skill and participation at practices will be determining factors.

MASTERS PROGRAM

Note:  All Masters must be Balmy Beach Club (main club) members as well as Balmy Beach Canoe Club members. Main club dues are  payable on joining the canoe club or on their due/renewal date.

The Masters Program provides a recreational program for adults age 25 and up, but offers as well competitive opportunities for everyone, including novices.  Participants have access to kayaks, canoes, and the war canoe. Practices are held two evenings each week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) and on Sunday mornings.  Some early morning (before work) practices will also be scheduled. There are four regional regattas open to Masters during the months of May to September. The summer season culminates with the CANMAS Masters Championships in late August or early September (held on the Sunday immediately following the National Championships) and it is reasonable to expect that a Master will compete in this event in his/her first year of paddling. The Masters Program offers an excellent way to improve aerobic and fitness skills and meet people.