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Requirements June 1953 until January 1965

1. With a companion of about your weight and using a canoe not less than 14 feet in length:

a. Launch and get in the canoe properly from pier or shore (both if possible), giving directions to your companion.

b. Using a single-blade paddle while kneeling on one or both knees, in the bow position, paddle 100 yards, turn and paddle back, showing proper form in the following strokes:     

            Bow Stroke                               Reverse Sweep

            Diagonal Draw                          1/4 Sweep Stroke

            Push Over

c. Change paddle to other side and repeat requirement b.

d. While your canoe is afloat, properly change places with your companion who will now paddle in the bow.  On one or both knees, paddle 100 yards and return, showing ability to keep canoe on straight course.

e. Make a proper landing.

2. While alone in canoe, using a single-blade paddle, paddle over a 100 yard course and return, demonstrating two kneeling positions for one man, and correctly do the following on one side going out, and on the other side coming back:

            a. J Stroke                     c. Push Over

            b. Draw Stroke              d. Stopping

3. While fully dressed:*

a. Capsize a canoe in deep water and about 50 yards from landing place.

b. Right it and stow paddle and kneeling pad.  Get in and paddle with hands or paddle, for 25 yards.

c. Disrobe, secure clothing to thwarts, go overboard, and, holding on with one hand, swim and tow or swim and push swamped canoe to shore.

d. Properly land emptied canoe and put it away with assistance if necessary.

4. Using double-blade or single-blade paddle, assist a man who has capsized his canoe and is clinging to it.  Empty it as explained in the Merit Badge Pamphlet and steady it while man climbs aboard.

5. Discuss contents of a good emergency canoe repair kit, and explain how to use it in repairing a one-inch hole in canvas.

*Wear clothing usually worn in canoeing in your territory according to the season of year.

*A Second Class Scout must first qualify for First Class Scoutcraft requirement 5

5. GO SWIMMING

SWIMMING* - Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe swim.  Jump feet first into water over your head in depth.  Swim 50 yards.  During the swim, stop, make a sharp turn, level off and resume swimming.

Requirements January 1965 until December 1966

Complete First Class Test 8.

1. With a companion of about your weight and using a canoe not less than 14 feet in length:

a. Launch and get in the canoe properly from pier or shore (both if possible), giving directions to your companion.

b. Using a single-blade paddle while kneeling on one or both knees, in the bow position, paddle 100 yards, turn and paddle back, showing proper form in the following strokes:  Bow Stroke, Diagonal Draw, Push Over, Reverse Sweep, and Quarter Sweep Stroke.

c. Change paddle to other side and repeat requirement b.

d. While your canoe is afloat, properly change places with your companion who will now paddle in the bow.  On one or both knees, paddle 100 yards and return, showing ability to keep canoe on straight course.

e. Make a proper landing.

2. While alone in canoe, using a single-blade paddle, paddle over a 100 yard course and return, demonstrating two kneeling positions for one man, and correctly do the following on one side going out, and on the other side coming back:  (a) J Stroke, (b) Draw Stroke, (c) Push Over, (d) Stopping.

3. While fully dressed:*

a. Capsize a canoe in deep water and about 50 yards from landing place.

b. Right it and stow paddle and kneeling pad.  Get in and paddle with hands or paddle, for 25 yards.

c. Disrobe, secure clothing to thwarts, go overboard, and, holding on with one hand, swim and tow or swim and push swamped canoe to shore.

d. Properly land emptied canoe and put it away with assistance if necessary.

4. Using double-blade or single-blade paddle, assist a man who has capsized his canoe and is clinging to it.  Empty it as explained in the Merit Badge Pamphlet and steady it while man climbs aboard.

5. Discuss contents of a good emergency canoe repair kit, and explain how to use it in repairing a one-inch hole in canvas.

*Wear clothing usually worn in canoeing in your territory according to the season of year.

First Class Test

8. Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe swim.  Jump feet first into water over your head in depth.  Swim 50 yards.  During the swim, stop, make a sharp turn, and resume swimming.

Requirements December 1966 until January 1969

Complete First Class Test 8.

1. Demonstrate your ability to swim 100 yards as follows:

            Swim 75 yards in a strong manner using any stroke or strokes and swim 25 yards on your back using an easy resting stroke; rest by floating (or if not buoyant, with a minimum of motion).

2. On the canoe and paddles used to meet these requirements, point out and name each part.

3. With a companion about your own weight and using a properly equipped canoe not less than 14 feet in length:

(a) Launch and get in the bow of the canoe properly from pier or shore (both, if possible), giving directions to your companion.

(b) Paddle 100 yards using a single-blade paddle while kneeling on one or both knees.  Turn and paddle back, showing proper form in the following strokes:  bow, diagonal draw, pushover, backwater, reverse sweep, quarter sweep, stop.

(c) Change paddle to other side and repeat Requirement 3b.

(d) Change places with your companion while your canoe is afloat.  On one or both knees, in the stern, paddle 100 yards and return, showing ability to keep canoe on a straight course.

(e) Make a proper landing at pier and shore.

4. While alone in canoe:

(a) Demonstrate eight single-blade strokes: (a) J, (2) draw, (3) stop, (4) pushover, (5) sweep, (6) reverse, (7) scull, (8) outside pivot.

(b) Complete five circuits of a short, irregular course marked by buoys, paddling on one side only, demonstrating knowledge of weight location in the canoe (trip and heel), and using suitable strokes for efficient completion of the course.

(c) Using single-blade or double-blade paddles, paddle over a 100-yard straight course and return using suitable strokes for efficient completion of the course.

5. While fully dressed and alone in a canoe, do the following:*

(a) Vault into the water feet first, keeping hold of the canoe with one hand; then climb back into the canoe without shipping water.

(b) Capsize the canoe in deep water about 50 yards from a landing place, then

(c) Right the canoe and stow paddle and kneeling pad.  Get in the swamped canoe and paddle with hands (or with paddle) for 25 yards.

(d) Go overboard, and holding with one hand, swim and tow (or swim and push) the canoe to shore.

(e) Empty the canoe and store it properly with assistance if necessary.

6. With a companion and in the bow, assist tow persons who have capsized their canoe and are clinging to it.  Empty the swamped canoe properly over your own canoe and steady it while they climb aboard.

7. Discuss with your counselor:

(a) Canoe trip preparations and safety.
(b) How to repair a hole or break in a canvas-covered canoe, an aluminum canoe, and a fiber-glass canoe.
(c) Other uses of the canoe such as racing and sailing.
(d) Explain lining and poling; also differences between lake canoeing and river canoeing.

*Wear clothing usually worn in canoeing in your territory according to the season of the year.