Sydenham Lake Canoe Club Introduces New Programs

Helen Parfitt, Vice Commodore | Jun 20, 2013

Sydenham Lake Canoe Club, now in its 16th year in its Sydenham location, is introducing new paddling programs this summer. The club now has experienced certified Canoe Kayak Canada coaching staff, and we have decided that it is time to offer CKC’s kayaking skills program to allow South Frontenac area youth the same opportunities to develop athletically as youth from larger urban centres. Olympic medalists Adam van Koeverden, Mark Oldershaw, and Caroline Brunet all started their paddling careers as youth in skills development programs at small community canoe clubs.

The Canoe Kids kayaking program is equivalent to the Red Cross swimming program in that there are attainable skill levels that paddlers can achieve. The week-long program involves paddling, and playing on-the-water games that indirectly lead to skill development. At the end of the week, paddlers will receive a report card and certificate indicating their skill level and a bronze, silver and gold ribbon to recognize their level of achievement. They can complete all three levels of the program in less than a month if they choose, or they can take one or two skill levels per summer. Paddlers will have so much fun that they won’t even be aware that they are learning.

Paddle Cross Fitness Training is another program being offered for Sydenham athletes ages 8 to adult who wish to cross train for their seasonal sports during the summer months. Paddling works the upper body, abdominal core, and back muscles, allowing athletes to have more success and fewer injuries in their chosen sport that use these muscles. The program will be suitable for hockey or soccer players, dancers or anyone who just wants to get or stay in shape. The club also offers a Master’s program in the evening for adults who would like to socialize, get exercise or just get out on the lake to relax.

SLCC is an offshoot of The Cataraqui Canoe Club, a sprint racing canoe club established in 1886 in Kingston. The club will continue to offer its tradition of offering its Competitive Sprint Paddling program, an intensive competitive paddling program for paddlers age 8 and over who enjoy the fun of serious competition. Sprint paddlers train daily to compete on weekends in divisional and provincial canoe and kayak CKC-sanctioned regatta events held throughout Ontario. These regattas are also open to any youth or adult paddler registered in our week-long programs. SLCC prides itself in being an inclusive True Sport environment. This year, the club will provide Competitive Sprint program full bursaries to athletes recommended by other physical education teachers or sports club coaches in the Frontenac region or, and as-needed, bursaries to Canoe Kid and Cross Training paddlers.

Sprint Paddling athletes from all over the world will be descending on Ontario as Ontario hosts the World Cup Canoe Niagara 2013 in paddling in Welland on August 1. Last year, two of the club’s paddlers qualified for the Ontario Summer Games 2012 in Toronto and two recent alumni qualified for the National Championships in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The club is often asked by other coaches at regattas how such a small club produces such strong paddlers. We attribute it to three things: the high standards of our excellent coaches, Jack Fenlong and Natasha Ostopovich; the focus that a small-town environment provides; and finally, the support and encouragement given by the community of Sydenham. For more information on our programs go to www.sydenhamlakecanoeclub.com or e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..