Canoeing
Learn to canoe this summer
Take a beginner canoeing lesson, then progress to more advanced lake and river skills.
Our seasoned canoe instructors will help build your skills as you explore a variety of local waterways.
Tandem Canoeing
Learn to canoe with a partner this summer. Our Tandem Canoe programs will start you out on the calm waters of Bowness Lagoon, then progress to more advanced skills on a variety of waterways. Start with the Beginner Tandem Canoe Lesson, then progress through Intermediate and Advanced courses in your choice of Lake Canoeing or Moving Water Canoeing.
First time in a boat and not sure? The Intro to Tandem Canoeing program is a great first-try experiential class to start with.
Tandem Canoeing Sampler
Basic skills and enjoyable paddling: Enjoy the sights and sounds with this 1-hour beginner-friendly session on Bowness Park’s sheltered lagoon. Learn the essentials of entering and exiting a canoe and basic paddle strokes. Perfect for those new to canoeing, this session provides a relaxed and supportive environment to experience the serene nature at Bowness Park.
Beginner Tandem Canoeing
Foundations of flatwater canoeing: Develop fundamental canoeing skills while building confidence and control on flatwater. This course introduces key techniques such as boat control, tracking and turning, with an emphasis on teamwork between paddling partners. Ideal for those looking to expand their abilities beyond basic strokes, this course lays the groundwork for relaxed lake paddling and longer excursions.
Intermediate Tandem Lake Canoeing
Expanding skills for day and overnight trips: Enhance your flatwater paddling skills to prepare for day tours and easy overnight canoe trips. This program introduces advanced stroke techniques, refined boat control in open water, and strategies for reading water conditions and mitigating risks. You’ll also practice essential skills like docking, pivoting and smooth navigation while refining both bow and stern paddling strokes. This program sets the stage for more independent and confident lake travel.
Prerequisite: Beginner Tandem Canoeing
Advanced Tandem Lake Canoeing
Precision paddling and advanced manoeuvring: Take your canoeing skills to the next level with this advanced program designed for experienced paddlers. Focus on refining stroke efficiency, precise manoeuvring and high-level canoe control techniques. Instructors provide personalized coaching, offering expert tips and tricks to fine-tune your skills. This program is ideal for paddlers seeking greater confidence on the water, whether for extended trips or challenging conditions.
Prerequisite: Intermediate Tandem Lake Canoeing
Intermediate Tandem Moving Water Canoeing
Introduction to moving water: Expand your canoeing skills with an introduction to moving water. This program focuses on boat control, reading currents and manoeuvring through and across the eddies at Bowness, while also learning to mitigate risk. After a morning of skill-building, put your techniques into practice with a short river run down to Shouldice Park. Ideal for paddlers looking to transition from flatwater to dynamic river environments.
Prerequisite: Beginner Tandem Canoeing
View offerings and register for Intermediate Moving Water Tandem
Advanced Tandem Moving Water Canoeing
Precision river running and technical manoeuvres: Take your river paddling to the next level with this full-day moving water program. Focus on canoe stability, advanced boat control and using river features to navigate efficiently. Develop precision paddling strokes and refine your ability to read water and mitigate hazards, all while practicing technical manoeuvres to confidently navigate the Bow River. Perfect for experienced paddlers looking to refine their river-running skills and gain confidence in more dynamic water conditions.
Prerequisite: Intermediate Tandem Moving Water Canoeing
View offerings and register for Advanced Moving Water Tandem
Solo Canoeing
Solo Canoeing is a great additional skill to add to your paddling quiver. Start with learning to manage a full-length canoe on your own, then try out a whitewater solo canoe and build your river skills, building towards playing in fast-moving whitewater.
Solo Canoeing Sampler
Basic skills and enjoyable paddling: Enjoy the sights and sounds with this 1-hour beginner-friendly solo session on Bowness Park’s sheltered lagoon. Learn the essentials of entering and exiting a canoe, sitting for solo paddling and basic paddling strokes. Perfect for those new to canoeing, this session provides a relaxed and supportive environment to enjoy being on the water.
Beginner Solo Canoeing
Foundations of flatwater canoeing: Develop fundamental solo canoeing skills while building confidence and control on flatwater. This course introduces key techniques such as boat control, tracking, turning and bracing, with an emphasis on balance within the boat. Ideal for those looking to expand their abilities beyond basic strokes, this course lays the groundwork for relaxed lake paddling.
Intermediate Solo Canoeing
Building confidence in a solo whitewater canoe: Develop your solo paddling skills with this intermediate program designed for those looking to navigate moving water in a specialized solo whitewater canoe. Begin by refining boat control and steering techniques in the canal before progressing to the Bowness eddies. Learn to read water, identify potential hazards and assess efficient lines while practicing eddy turns and ferry gliding. This program lays the foundation for confident solo river running in dynamic water conditions.
Prerequisite: Beginner Solo Canoeing
Advanced Solo Canoeing
Technical precision and Class II whitewater manoeuvring: Take your solo canoeing to the next level in this advanced program focused on navigating Class II whitewater at Harvie Passage. Develop precision control by riding through currents, using river features to enhance efficiency and mastering advanced paddling techniques. Learn to descend rapids, cross currents with confidence and capture eddies while refining your river-running skills. Try out new manoeuvres like surfing to build stability and control in technical whitewater. This course is perfect for paddlers looking to push their solo canoeing abilities in more dynamic environments.
Prerequisite: Intermediate Solo Canoeing
Canoe Tripping
Join a multi-day canoe trip on one of of Alberta's best waterways. Spend the day paddling while building your navigation and tripping skills, and enjoy the starts and nature sounds at night. Trips of different lengths and difficulty are available for beginner to more experienced canoe trippers.
North Saskatchewan River 2025
Enjoy a 3-day canoe trip with stunning campsites, great fishing, and fun Class I-II+ rapids with easy route options. Staring in the scenic mountains then flowing into lush wooded forest, this river is a must for paddlers looking to build their river-tripping skills.
Prerequisite: river canoeing and overnight camping experience.
