Petrie Island Canoe Club, Sport For Life Canada and Canoe-Kayak Canada

Stages of LTAD (Long Term Athlete Development) for Canoe-Kayak

 Download the Long Term Athlete Development Plan for Canoe-Kayak Athletes (PDF, 8.62MB)

The LTAD framework outlined below describes the optimal development pathway for an athlete who starts paddling between 6 and 12 years of age and continues through to racing successfully at the elite level. The early stages of development will be the same for all paddlers. When the volume of training starts to increase during the Learning to Compete Stage, the pathway of those who choose to compete at a high level will diverge from those who choose to paddle and compete for enjoyment and fitness. Any training, racing, and recovery program should reflect the goals of the paddler for whom it is designed.

• Active Start OPEN

  Petrie Island Canoe Club Kiddie Canoe-Kayak Program & Canoe Kids One-Week Recreational Camp

  • Objectives:
    • Learn fundamental movements and link them together into play.
  • Key Outcomes: Fun and Movement skills
    • Physical activity should be fun and a natural part of every child’s daily life. Active play is the way young people are physically active.
  FUNdamentals and Foundations OPEN

  Petrie Island Canoe Club Introduction to Sprint Canoe-Kayak Two-Week Summer Camp

  • Objectives:
    • At the beginning of this stage the objectives are to learn overall sports skills, build water sense and safety awareness, learn the basic boat and paddle handling skills in age-appropriate sprint canoe and kayaks.
  • Key Outcomes:
    • Be physically literate (competent in fundamental movement skills)
    • Possess fundamental canoe-kayak skills
    • Use canoe-kayak basic boat steering skills, in demonstrating boat control
    • Paddle continuously in a single and team boat
    • Be comfortable and confident in boats and playing in, on, and around the water
    • Be able to pass the “Swim to Survive” Swim Test
  Training to Train OPEN

  Petrie Island Canoe Club Youth Racing Eight-Week Summer Camp

  • Objectives:
    • general endurance, proper technique, speed & strength, proficiency paddling single and team boats
  • Paddling Outcomes:
    • Develop specific canoe-kayak techniques
    • Improve self-discipline by preparing for and managing practices and races
    • Development of team mentality though crew boat practices
    • Improve distance per stroke
    • Choose challenging but achievable racing goals that align with the healthy long-term development of the athlete
  • Fitness Outcomes:
    • canoe-kayak-specific resistance training
    • heart rate and fatigue management
    • a solid aerobic base and core strength
    • improved flexibility and coordination
    • correct weight technique
    • power
    • focused and refined movements
  Learning to Compete OPEN

  Petrie Island Canoe Club Youth Racing Eight-Week Summer Camp

  • Objectives:
    • refine and consolidate paddling skills, learn to race, develop sport-specific endurance, strength, speed and skills needed for racing
  • Key Outcomes:
    • proficiency in singles, doubles, and fours under a variety of conditions
    • confidence in a variety of regatta and race situations (including seat racing and time controls)
    • good decision-making skills with regards to all aspects of training and boat-handling
    • appropriate and measurable improvements of sport-specific strength, endurance, and speed
  Training to Compete OPEN

  Petrie Island Canoe Club Youth Racing Eight-Week Summer Camp

  • Objectives:
    • further develop and refine sport-specific endurance, strength, speed, and skills for racing in Olympic distances, further develop and define racing skills, including mental preparation, race strategies, and an ability to handle a variety of conditions and situations.
  • Key Outcomes:
    • race well under a variety of conditions, maintaining good technique under pressure and fatigue
    • understand their own role in critical thinking and decision-making for their training, performance, equipment, schooling, and social life, under the guidance of their coach
    • manage their lifestyle to meet training commitments