This is the most efficient way to lay out a course to work on paddling skills. Eight different markers placed as offset diamonds can create a corridor that helps students develop precise paddling skill by giving them good reference points as they practice their skills. I use a 16 foot canoe as a reference tool when laying out the course. Place the four corners of the diamonds so that the canoe has about one foot clearance between the markers. The gap between the two diamonds is just wide enough that a canoe can pass though while being paddled, so there has to be enough distance that the marker ropes won't get caught by the paddle.

The basic course can be extended by adding two more markers inline with the four that cross through the middle of the double diamonds. The accuracy of the extended straight line can be enhanced by adding two more markers placing one between each of the ends of the corridor and the diamonds.