River & Waterway Paddling
Navigate rivers and waterways by canoe, developing paddling technique, teamwork, and environmental awareness. Learn to read water conditions, work together as a crew, and appreciate the ecosystems that depend on healthy waterways.
Being a provincial athlete in swimming opened my interest to try other sports and adventures such as open water swimming and other water sports. My parents, as SCUBA divers, and their passion and love for the marine world has given me first-hand water experience. I can still remember the many times to travel to different countries without skipping to visit the beach or boat out the ocean or lake. I used these experiences to help me become a competitive swimmer and create new opportunities such as paddle boarding and open water swimming.
Marcus, Bronze Award HolderBuilding your Award:
Find Bronze Award examples to support activity planning
(Completed as a team. Participants will work together to plan and complete their journey.)
Example Activity: River paddling journey developing canoe skills, teamwork, and environmental awareness while navigating waterways.
Example Team Goal: Together we’ll paddle a planned route safely, practice paddling techniques and teamwork, document wildlife and river conditions, and complete a group debrief about what we learned.
Example Assessor/Supervisor: Canoe instructor, outdoor education teacher, or Award Leader
Example SMART Goal: Paddling requires swimming confidence. Over 13 weeks, I’m improving my swimming by practicing weekly, working toward swimming 500 m continuously using proper technique.
Example Assessor: Swim coach, lifeguard instructor, or aquatics staff
Example Log: Swam 300 m today without stopping. That’s a personal best! My freestyle breathing is getting more consistent. The instructor helped me fix my arm entry angle. Aiming for 350 m next week.
Example SMART Goal: Navigation is key for paddling! I’m learning map reading and orienteering skills over 13 weeks, using online courses and practice sessions to confidently navigate unfamiliar areas.
Example Assessor: Outdoor education teacher, orienteering club leader, or geography teacher
Example Log: Completed an online orienteering course module on topographic maps today. Practiced reading contour lines to understand elevation. Taking my skills outside to navigate a local trail next week.
Example SMART Goal: Rivers need protection! I’m volunteering an hour each week for 13 weeks with river clean-up efforts, removing litter and debris from local waterways.
Example Assessor: Conservation authority staff, environmental organization coordinator, or volunteer supervisor
Example Log: Collected trash along 500 meters of riverbank today . We filled two bags! Found fishing line tangled in branches, which can be really dangerous for wildlife. The coordinator explained how plastic breaks down in water. Joining the shoreline clean-up next Saturday.
