1. The steps you'd take to get ready for steering a race.   First I would orient myself with the race course, equipment and rules. What type of boats are we using? Where is the start. Where is the finish. Is this a flat water course, river, lake, open ocean... any natural items I need to be aware of (shallow, currents, active water way, etc...). What type of PFDs are required. If it is my first time to race at that course I would be looking for a local or someone who has raced there before to get the inside scoop if possible. How are starts handled (just line up, held starts, cages/gates, etc...). I would also have read in advance any race material that is provided... what time to be at marshaling, starting commands, how to stop the race if there is an issue, how to protest if required, any additional safety requirements. Do they have chase boats? Where are the EMT tents. And also, how to approach the start to get lined up and any requirements to get back to dock/unloading areas. A good steersperson will do their homework well in advance. 2. How you'd prepare for a 200 m vs a 2k. Good question as two very different types of races. For both we will have a race plan for the start, middle and finish. For the 2k we will add a turn plan to get us around the corners and also understand passing etiquette especially in turns (aka right of way). As far as preparation we would train both for anaerobic (short burst activity under 2min) and aerobic (long duration). My team would have a lot of 200m and 2km pieces in practices. We would also practice starts for both as 200m are usually a held start (not moving at all) whereas 2kms are often running starts (already moving).

@Liisa Reimann for sure. Walk the course, get eyes on, attend any/all safety and steering meetings.

Lots of great comments and here is one extra one. Understand the rules of racing at the venue/course you are at. We were paddling open ocean at LOVEBoracay in Boracay, Philippines a month back. Their rule was in any collision you need to stop the boat. I was steering in lane 1 and boat 2 and boat 3 took a large wave pushing across the course and crossed into my lane. The result was my boat t-boned boat 2 at the steering oar. We stopped paddling... and then when boat 2 was clear of us... and everyone was ok and there were no other boats in our lane... we continued and were disqualified. Why were we DQ'd? Because we continued to paddle after a collision. Oddly, boats 2/3/4 were all allowed to re-race but such is life. Anyways, in addition to knowing the course, the commands, equipment, safety and recovery... know the rules.

Level 2 Homework How would you handle a collision + capsize on the race course? For collision's first priority is safety and as I mention above understanding collision protocol of the venue/race you are at. Best practice would be to avoid collisions but that isn't always practical or in your control. As a steer I would do everything in my power to avoid a collision but if not possible then to minimize the collision. Sucks calling down your team but if that is the safe course of action then you do that. If you do have a collision or make contact with another boat most of the time you should stop your boat, assess what happened, are all your paddlers in the boat, is anyone injured and then make a plan of action after the assessment. Sometimes you can continue your race but other times you will not be able to. Education is the best preparation you can have in place for capsizes. What does a team do when a boat goes over? Who is in charge? What if that person is not conscious or found... have a plan for chain of command (steer, drummer, specified paddler). Once a capsize happens then you execute that plan and first and foremost account for all people on the boat. Local capsize protocol will dictate if you stay with the boat or in some cases make your way to shore.

We are racing eastern Canada… Pickering and Hamilton as well as CanAm/Montreal and IDBF CCWC in Hualien, Taiwan. Working to add a Para division to our club (Evolution Paddling Club).

We also started a Para Team within Evolution Paddling Club this year as well.

I’ll be there with Diane with Evolution Paddling Club. Montreal is a great city and a great venue.

@LisaAnn Korney easy access with the subway, Montreal downtown is spectacular when you are not paddling, the food is amazing and the flat water course is in the 1976 Olympic Basin which means great racing and good for spectators as well.