This 2.5 day course is designed to introduce particpants to learn to canoe on flat water and develop skills on a basic moving water river trip. It offers participants the opportunity to learn and develop their canoe paddle skills, and their understanding of river safety and hazard assessment. Prerequisite: No experience necessary.
The cost of the program includes certified canoe instructor(s) along with the following equipment - canoes, paddles, PFDs, bailers & throwbags 

You'll learn the basics in this beginner flatwater canoeing lesson that takes place at Bowness Park. Learn how to track straight lines, turn, brace and how to control your canoe and work together with your partner. We will enjoy paddling in the shelter of the lagoon and down the canal.  Prerequisite: none. Includes: instructor, all canoe gear.

Build on your flatwater canoeing skills, join us at Bowness Park where you will learn the skills to safely navigate moving water. You will learn how to do eddy turns and forward ferries in order to increase your confidence on the river, safely practicing on small challenging water conditions on the Bowness Eddies.
Prerequisite: A. Intro to Lake Canoeing or equivalent. Includes: instructor, all canoe gear.

Introduces paddlers to full day moving water river trip. It offers participants the opportunity to continue to develop their skills and knowledge, with greater emphasis on canoe stability and control, using water features and paddling techniques to make manoeuvres easier and more efficient. The lesson focuses on developing paddling strokes and the ability to read water, potential hazards, to ultimately assess safe lines while navigating on moving water on the Bow River. You will continue to develop eddy turns and ferries in the faster challenging water successfully executing manoeuvres more efficiently while increasing confidence and enthusiasm for moving water river trips.
Prerequisite: Canoeing - A & B - Intro to Lake & River (Bowness eddies) Canoeing or equivalent experience.
Includes: instructor, all canoe gear.

This 2-day weekend program is designed for intermediate whitewater canoeists. It offers participants the opportunity to hone their skills, knowledge, and strengthen their understanding of river safety, scouting, hazard assessment and rescue techniques.
Prerequisite: Canoeing - A, B & C - Intro to Lake & River & Moving water Canoeing or equivalent experience (must be proficient with eddy turns and ferries). Includes: instructor, all canoe gear.

This 2.5-day course is designed to introduce particpants to the exciting world of solo canoeing on flat water to basic moving water. It offers participants the opportunity to learn and build their solo canoe paddle skills, and their understanding of river safety and hazard assessment.
The course focuses on the essential foundational block of carving a canoe, progressing from flat-water drills onto beginner moving water skills. This prepares participants to successfully execute manoeuvres quickly and develop the confidence and enthusiasm for moving water canoeing.
Pre-requisites: Experience paddling moving water in a tandem canoe. Cost include: certified canoe instructor(s) and equipment (canoes, paddles, PFDs, bailers & throwbags).

This evening course is designed to introduce particpants to the exciting world of solo canoeing on class II rapids on Harvie Passage whitewater park here in Calgary. This next step in the solo canoeing journey offers participants the opportunity to learn and build on canoe paddle skills and increase understanding of river safety and hazard assessment.
Prerequisite: Solo Canoeing ABC or equivalent. Includes: instructor, all canoe gear.

Hire a guide to take you on the trip of your choosing or to give you expert instruction to improve your paddling skills! We also instruct school groups and other non-profits at Bowness Lagoon at an affordable rate. Customize a group booking through the Outdoor Centre today! All gear can be provided by the Outdoor Centre.

Fill out the Outdoor Centre Custom Group Activities Booking Form to book now.

The programs listed in this section are for custom groups to register only and not open to the public. If you are interested in booking a custom program yourself, please fill out the form or contact ocprograms@ucalgary.ca

Spend a summer evening learning to canoe on Bowness Lagoon! These sessions are centered upon giving participants with physical and/or cognitive disabilities the experience to participate in various adaptive watersports. Participants and their friend, family member, or aide will learn the basics of paddling with one of our trained instructors while building their skills and confidence on the water. Lessons will occur at Bowness Park Lagoon in Calgary, Alberta. We will also have pedalboats available if participants are not comfortable in a canoe.