TRY-IT: Canoeing

Have you always wanted to try canoeing?  Now’s your chance! Join Cleveland Metroparks to learn paddle techniques and basic boat fitting as you try canoeing under the guidance of certified instructors. Canoeing is a wonderful activity for families as you can share the same canoe!

 A couple of things to note:

1. All participants should have a fully completed waiver and arrive early.
2. Each paddler will be in their own kayak. There are no tandems. Canoes can hold more than one individual; capacity will be determined by instructors onsite.
3. Individuals should plan to get wet. Footwear that secures to the foot is mandatory while participating in the activity. Footwear is not provided.
4. Activities will be on land and on the lake. All participants are required to wear a properly fitted life jacket while on the water (provided by Cleveland Metroparks Outdoor Recreation).
5. Your feedback about the program is essential. Please help us to continue to offer successful programs by completing an online evaluation.

General Essential Eligibility Requirements that all participants must meet. A participant….

1. …must meet minimum age and pre-trip meeting requirements for each individual program.
2. …must meet program fee requirements for each individual program.
3. …must be able to remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed in order to avoid environmental injuries such as hypothermia, heat-related illnesses, sunburn, and frostbite.
4. …must refrain from use of alcohol and tobacco before or during outdoor recreation activities and any illegal drugs throughout the duration of a program.
5. …must be able, either alone or with the aid of a personal care attendant, or through arrangements outlined on the Request for Administration of Medication Form or an Individual Medication Plan to manage, administer and protect any prescription medications currently prescribed to him or her. All medications, including over-the-counter medications shall be listed as required on the Medical Information portion of the registration materials.
6. …must be able, either alone, with the aid of an augmentative communication device, or a personal care attendant to follow directions and communicate needs.
7.  …must not exceed manufacturers’ maximum recommended weight limit for equipment being used.

1. …must be able to manage personal mobility either alone, with a reasonable amount of assistance, with the aid of a personal care attendant, or with adaptive equipment.

1. …must be able, in the event of an unexpected capsize, to breathe independently and maintain a seal with their mouth (i.e. not require medical devices to sustain breathing), and independently demonstrate the ability to self-right him or herself from face down to face up position while wearing the appropriate PFD.
2. …must be able to independently hold their head and neck upright (without restraints), in order to maintain proper body positioning, avoid an unexpected capsize, and freely exit watercraft.
3. …must be able to reenter the watercraft in deep water independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance.
4. …must be able to independently wear and maintain wearing all safety equipment correctly including but not limited to a United States Coast Guard approved lifejacket.
5. …must be able to, for extended trips only, travel in a physically demanding, remote backcountry environment for the uninterrupted period of the trip length, which can range from one to ten days with varying temperatures and environmental conditions including but not limited to, rain snow, hail, sun, and wind. The remoteness is such that cell signal may be unavailable, and it may require at minimum an hour, but perhaps in excess of 2 days travel to reach the nearest road and advanced medical care; participant assumes all costs associated with rescue.