Development Paddling Program

CHEEMA DEVELOPMENT PADDLING PROGRAM – 12 months 

Cheema’s Development Program for youth participants is designed to teach the basics of canoe-kayak and prepare individuals for eventual competition. Below you will see that we have two year-round streams to choose from  –FUNdamentals and Learn -to-Train (LTT). Our coaches will place participants in the most appropriate group depending on their physical and emotional readiness for different degrees of training. Our third development program is PaddleReady (see separate information page) which allows experienced paddlers who have been playing other sports to join FUNdamentals or LTT in the fall or spring and pay a fee relative to the number of weeks enrolled before we go off the water in the fall, or in the spring before the summer program begins. 

Paddling is a sport that takes many years to reach competitive maturity and so it is critical to take the time to learn the basics, become an efficient technician and then begin to improve fitness as the body is ready. In our development program we feel it is important to be patient, keep things fun and group the kids based on the training intensity they are most comfortable with. As that changes, we will constantly re-group. 

1.      FUNdamentals Paddling Program - Age guideline 8-12 

FUNdamentals is based on fostering physical literacy* through a variety of movement experiences with a primary emphasis on canoe-kayak. Progressive paddling practice designed to introduce the basics of the sport are taught for approximately 90 minutes per day in the spring and fall based on safe water/weather conditions. From November to April (approximately), various forms of physical activity are organized in our multi-purpose room or in the natural setting around Cheema.  

 
Daily Activities may include: 

·         Water Safety / Boat Safety Instruction (September/June) 

·         Dragonboat/War Canoe paddling 

·         Four-person canoes (C4) and kayaks (K4s) 

·         Doubles (K2s and C2s) 

·         Appropriately stable singles (C1 and K1). 

·         Hiking, Running, Calisthenics 

·         Soccer, Flag Football, Baseball, Dodgeball, Floor Hockey and other sports. 

·         Weather and equipment permitting - Snowshoeing, Sledding and much more! 

·         There will also be time to socialize and attend to any homework. 

Coaches communicate weekly with parents so that they are aware of paddlers’ progress and the content of the program at any given time of the year.  

Daily Schedule: 
 

Sessions are Monday to Friday, 4:30-6:00 pm with a 9:00 am seasonal (on-water) bonus session on Saturday mornings. This 12-month initiation program and the related fees includes participation in Cheema’s summer program. 

In July and August, FUNdamentals participants join the summer age-group program at no additional cost.
 

Transportation: 

Participants are responsible for their own safe arrival. For those not registered with the AfterSchool Program and take the bus, Cheema offers a snack and supervision program from arrival until FUNdamentals start. Contact the registrar for details.

Registration: 

If you have any inquiries, please contact our Registrar, at registrar@cheema.ca, otherwise click HERE to register. 

2.       Learn to Train (LTT) - Age guideline 11-15 

Our Learn to Train program introduces the paddler to the basics of Canoe-Kayak technique and the physical training that eventually leads to competition. Participants will learn to develop focus, take direction, and develop work ethic. The goals of LTT are to build basic paddling skills and boatmanship; learn to paddle with efficient technique; build proficiency in singles and crew boats; and develop endurance, speed, and strength.  

LTT is a foundational, early progression in our overall long-term athlete development process. This process has made Cheema a proven world-class paddling club, producing multiple Olympians, National Team athletes and coaches and a legacy of citizens who value their years paddling at whatever their chosen level of competitiveness. 

During the winter months participants will be building their physical literacy skills through many different forms of exercise including an age-appropriate introduction to strength training, through to aerobic base development. This 12-month program will evolve skills progressively, preparing paddlers to be introduced to summer racing in a fun, competitive, team-oriented group.  

The program is targeted at the ages of 12 – 15 years, though exceptions are sometimes made by the coaches to accommodate 11-year-olds who are ready. 

The LTT Program offers 5 or 6 weekly sessions, expecting the athletes to attend 4-5 sessions. Five sessions are important during the on-water periods.

During the fall and spring, practices are held Monday to Friday at 4:30 until 6:00 pm and 9:00 am on Saturday mornings. Coaches may alter session times if it is more convenient for the group and they will incorporate other sport training into the overall program during the off-water season. November to March there are swimming options the Sackville Sport Stadium pool Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 6-9:00 am, before school in the mornings that replace some of the afternoon practices. We encourage participants to attend two of the swim workouts per week. 

Please note: The session times descriptions above can change based on weather, facility availability, and time of year. All schedules noted are the likely times, but there may be minor changes.  

Registration: 

If you have any questions, please contact your Coach or our Registrar, at registrar@cheema.ca, otherwise click HERE to register. 

*Physical literacy is the “motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life”. www.physicalliteracy.ca