Games & Tasks for Instructors

Nebs25

So I have a list of games and tasks I use regularly when instructing groups on the water and am looking to expand the list. I always see different games and tasks being used but sometime I forget them so thought it would be good to have a page where people can get ideas and add their own or ones they have seen work well.

So I will get the ball rolling,

Task: For Low/High brace on Flat water

Partner people up and get one person at the others stern in a T shape. The person behind, puts their hands on both sides of the stern and basically leans on one side forcing the boat to lean on that side.

The paddler has himself ready in the Low/high brace position and has to use the support stroke on whichever side the boat falls on to.

Good things about this task,

1. Its fun and gets people interacting with each other
2. Person can’t see which side the boat will rock to, so he gets use to holding the paddle in the support position ready to use the stroke.
3. Its Safe, the paddler at the back has his hands on the boat so adds support when person is just learning the stroke.
4. Forces the paddler to concentrate on the support stroke instead of trying to lean the boat over as the other is in control of that.

irishlostboy

i tend to use ballgames a lot on flatwater. they are great for building confidence and for getting people to start using their strokes without thinking about them. its also good for bonding the group as people have to start interacting with each other.

browningsporter

here is a list of a few games I use mostly on flat water for teaching or to break up a river trip like the boyne where it has long flat sections.

Wet sponges. throw them at each other. Remember to set boundaries. Students will just keep paddling to avoid getting wet.

Bull dog charge. Variation on tag. One person is on.They sit in the middle of the river and the rest of the group have to cross the river without being caught.

Tug-o-war. Use two karabiners and a long sling. Two beginner students paddle against each other. Possibility of capsizing. Have this taught and be prepared.

Simon says. Requires two instructors. One to lead the group and one for rescue. This can be doing strokes on the river or move onto the bank incorparating some jogging if students get cold.

Truley

*bump*

There are some great games for beginners to learn strokes in a fun way so they can practice and gain confidence.

For example having just taught them the sweep stroke see how many full 360 rotations they can do in thirty seconds using just the sweep. Instructor acts as time keeper.

For practicing the draw stroke have a race to a finish point using the draw stroke.

There are endless games to use in warming up, simon says, name learning games, races...

The whole learning process can be made into a game as 90% of the time your students are not there to become serious paddlers, they're there to have fun! I am always looking for new game ideas