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Step 1
Explain the safety measures that must be taken to the novice before actually taking him to the river with a canoe. Giving him a heads-up and making sure he is serious is vital to ensure his attention once you're on the river.
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Step 2
Choose a run of river that is relatively smooth but also poses some navigational challenges. Keep the novice canoeist engaged with the difficulties of canoeing in order to keep her interested in what's going on.
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Step 3
Put him in the front of the canoe when you begin your journey downstream so that you can control the steering of the canoe from the aft. Let the novice get a feel for spotting rock outcroppings before moving him to the steering position.
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Step 4
Navigate some light whitewater so the novice gets a feel for what it's like to run a rapid, ensuring she understands the importance of meeting the rapids lengthwise not broadside.
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Step 5
Inform him of the need to pay attention to current movement so he begins to develop an outdoor ability to "read" the river.
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Step 6
Allow the novice to take on the steering position once she has achieved some experience up front. She will need to understand the workings of the entire canoe before she will ever feel comfortable on her own.
