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Level 2 Kayak Proficiency Award
General Aims
Course outline
Requirements prior to assessment
Assessment
Guidelines
Level 2 Kayak Proficiency Syllabus
1.00 General aims of the Level 2 Kayak Proficiency Award
The Level 2 Kayak Proficiency
Award aims to enable participants to
1.01 kayak safely and competently on flat water and calm seas
as a member of a group.
1.02 assist in basic rescues.
1.03 foster further participation in canoeing
2.00 Requirements for the Level 2 Kayak Proficiency Award
To obtain the Level 2 Kayak Proficiency Award, a participant must successfully
demonstrate the following techniques and skills
2.01 an understanding of the Basic Safety Rules of canoeing.
2.02 an ability to Enter and Exit a kayak correctly.
2.03 Forward Paddle, Reverse Paddle, and Stop.
2.04 An ability to turn while stationary using Forward Sweep
Stroke, Reverse Sweep Stroke and a combination of Forward and Reverse
Sweep Strokes.
2.05 Simple Draw Stroke.
2.06 Low Brace.
2.07 Low Brace Turn.
2.08 Edging while the kayak is moving.
2.09 Capsize Drill.
2.10 An ability to assist in an Assisted X Rescue.
2.11 Lower Body Rotation.
3.00 Assessment for the
Level 2 Kayak Proficiency Award
3.01 During an assessment all techniques and skills must be performed
to an assessor's satisfaction in order to achieve this award.
3.02 No part of an assessment may be taken in a swimming pool.
All assessment criteria must be demonstrated outdoors on flat water
(i.e. water of Grade I difficulty).
3.03 It may not be feasible for a junior or disabled person to
assist fully in rescues - such candidates should, however, have a full
understanding of the correct sequence of each of the required rescues
and have some role to fulfil in the completion of these rescues.
3.04 A spraydeck must be worn throughout an assessment.
3.05 All strokes should be demonstrated in relevant situations
i.e. use of a simple draw stroke to manoeuvre the kayak to the bank.
Strokes should be demonstrated on both sides of the kayak.
3.05 The Level 2 Kayak Proficiency Award is not a compulsory
pre-requisite for any subsequent Irish Canoe Union awards.
3.07 All required assessment rescues to be kept until the end
of an assessment.
3.08 No age restriction applies to this award.
Level 2 Kayak Proficiency Award Assessment Guidelines
· The Level 2 Kayak Proficiency
Award can only be assessed by a currently registered who holds, at minimum,
an Irish Canoe Union Level 2 Kayak Instructor qualification
· The assessment will be carried
out with a maximum of six candidates to one assessor; however, a ratio
of 4:1 is preferable.
· Generally guidelines will be given, should a candidate fail an assessment,
as to the areas that they need to improve on.
Safety
Rules of Canoeing
1. You must be able to swim.
2. Always wear a buoyancy aid and ensure that there is adequate kayak
buoyancy.
3. Never canoe alone.
Entry and Exit
Can be carried out with or without the use of paddles, depending on
what is most appropriate to the situation.
Forward Paddling
Some directional instability is allowed for. This should not include
complete loss of forward movement or continuous veering from side to
side, aiming for a point/gap as a task.
Reverse Paddling
Some directional instability is allowed for. This should not include
complete loss of reverse movement or continuous veering from side to
side. A wider stroke than that used for forward paddling is permissible.
Stopping
Stopping should occur in a straight line allowing some leeway, but
not veering from side to side. Ability to stop should be demonstrated
while paddling forward and in reverse.
Forward Sweep Stroke
There should be full arm extension. The sweep should be initiated at
the front of the kayak and continued to stern with trunk rotation evident.
Reverse Sweep Stroke
Trunk rotation to place paddle in the water at stern should be evident.
There should be continuous sweep to the front of the kayak as the trunk
unwinds. There should be full arm extension throughout.
Draw Stroke
The paddle should remain in the water throughout. Some slight bow or
stern swing is acceptable. An ability to maintain the paddle shaft vertical,
should be evident. Some body rotation towards the paddling side should
be evident.
Low Brace Support
The kayak must be sufficiently tilted for water to reach the spraydeck.
A good push down with the elbows above paddle and associated knee lift
and lower body rotation should be evident.
Low Brace Turn
The kayak should be moved at an acceptable speed and a turn induced
by applying a sweep on the opposite side, followed by edging into the
turn, the back of the blade on the surface of the water for support
on the turning side and at a suitable angle/feather.
Capsize Drill
While wearing a spraydeck, and followed by a 10 metre swim towing the
kayak and paddle to the bank, then emptying the kayak correctly. The
paddle should be retained.
Lower Body Rotation
A demonstration of the use of the lower body in controlling the kayak,
for example the initial stages of an Eskimo Rescue.
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Level 3 Sea Kayak Proficiency Award
General Aims
Course Outline
Requirements prior to Assessment Assessment
Recommended Equipment List
Guidelines
Level 3 Sea Proficiency Syllabus
1.00 General aims of the Level 3 Sea Proficiency Award
The Level 3 Sea Proficiency Award aims to enable participants to
1.01 kayak safely and competently on the sea as a member of a
group being led.
1.02 be capable paddle competently in following winds, head winds
and beams winds of up to force three.
1.03 assist in rescues.
1.04 have an understanding of the importance of weather as a
factor in kayaking on the sea.
2.00 Requirements for the Level 3 Sea Proficiency Award
Prior to assessment for the Level 3 Sea Proficiency Award a participant
must have successfully obtained the Level 2 Sea Proficiency Award. During
assessment, a participant must successfully explain and demonstrate
the following techniques and skills at a proficiency level higher than
that required for the Level 2 Sea Proficiency Award
Strokes
2.01 Forward Paddle,
Reverse Paddle, and Emergency Stop.
2.02 Forward Sweep Strokes, Reverse Sweep Strokes and a combination
of Forward and Reverse Sweep Strokes.
2.03 Draw Stroke
2.04 Sculling Draw
2.05 Sculling for Support
2.06 Low Brace
2.07 High Brace
2.08 Low Brace Turn
2.09 Stern Rudder
2.10 Bow Rudder
Techniques
2.11 Entry and Exit
2.12 Edging
2.13 paddling in a following wind, beam winds and head winds
2.14 Record and interpret a marine weather forecast
2.15 paddling into, bracing and turning in small surf. ( 1 Foot)
2.16 Read a tide table to ascertain the time of high-water.
2.17 Capsize Drill in deep water, getting back into kayak with
assistance.
Rescues
2.18 Assisted X Rescue
and an X Rescue
2.19 Eskimo Rescue
Theory
2.20 Safety Rules
2.21 an understanding of the staying with your boat in the event
of a capsize at sea.
2.22 an understanding of the effects of the wind on the sea with
particular reference to the danger of offshore winds. The candidate
should show an understanding of what is meant by a lee shore. dumping
surf, riptides and tide races.
2.23 an understanding of good control (i.e. responding to various
signals and commands)
2.24 Environment
recognises several of the significant flora and fauna in the seashore
environment .
3.00 Applying to attend an
Level 3 Sea Proficiency Assessment
Before applying to attend a Level 3 Sea Proficiency Assessment, a candidate
must
3.01 have obtained a Level 2 Sea Proficiency Award
3.02 at the time of assessment, is a member of the Irish Canoe
Union either as an individual member or as a member of an affiliated
club.
3.03 be at least 12 years of age.
4.00 Assessment for the
Level 3 Sea Proficiency Award
4.01 During assessment candidates must demonstrate all techniques/skills
at a proficiency level higher than that required for the Level 2 Sea
Proficiency Award. All techniques, skills and rescues must be performed
to an assessor's satisfaction in order to achieve this award.
4.02 No part of an assessment may be taken in a swimming pool.
All assessment criteria must be demonstrated outdoors on non-tidal waters
in winds up to a limit of force three.
4.03 It is recommended that the Level 3 Sea Proficiency Award
be assessed by an instructor other than the instructor who has run the
training course leading to the assessment.
4.04 The Level 3 Sea Proficiency Award can only be assessed by
an Irish Canoe Union Instructor currently registered with the Irish
Canoe Union
4.05 The assessment to be carried out with a maximum of four
candidates to one assessor, however, a ratio of 3:1 is preferable.
4.06 All strokes should be demonstrated in relevant situations
i.e. low brace against a small breaking wave at a beach, and demonstrated
on both sides of the kayak.
4.07 Guidelines will be given in writing should a candidate fail
the assessment as to the areas that they need to improve on.
4.08 It is expected that the assessment will form part of ongoing
training towards the Level 4 Sea Proficiency, or to improve a candidate's
proficiency skills.
4.09 Generally all required assessment rescues will be kept until
the end of an assessment.
Level 3 Sea Proficiency Award Guidelines
Strokes
Entry and Exit
Can be carried out with or without the use of paddles, depending on
what is most appropriate to the situation.
Forward Paddling
The correct seating position, good truck rotation, correct width of
paddle grip, sufficient power to paddle against the current while the
keeping the kayak straight.
Reverse Paddling
The correct seating position, good truck rotation, correct width of
paddle grip, sufficient power to paddle against the current while keeping
the kayak straight.
Emergency Stop
Using forward and reverse paddling, stopping should be evident within
4 strokes.
Forward and Reverse Sweep Strokes
Candidates should demonstrate effective use of Sweep Strokes on slightly
choppy seas.
Draw Stroke
Paddle near vertical, blade well covered, kayak moving in a straight
line sideways for at least 5 metres. Top hand pushing while the lower
hand is pulling. The blade must remain in the water throughout. Good
body rotation towards the paddling side should be evident.
Sculling Draw
Paddle off vertical, blade covered, kayak moving in a straight line
sideways for at least 5 metres. Top hand pushing while the lower hand
is pulling with an efficient blade angle. Long strokes while the kayak
remains level.
Sculling for Support
Performed sitting upright with the kayak at a precarious angle. The
paddle should be kept low with good solid sweeps and confident committal
to paddle.
Low Brace Support
The kayak must be sufficiently tilted for water to reach the spraydeck.
A good push down with the elbows above paddle and associated knee lift
and hip rotation should be evident.
High Brace Support
The water must reach the paddler’s armpit, with good push down. Associated
knee lift and hip rotation should be evident. Paddle shaft no higher
than chin level and arms flexed. Must be demonstrated both stationary
and in small surf as appropriate.
Low Brace Turn
The Low Brace Turn should be demonstrated in small breaking waves (1
Foot) or in a slightly choppy sea as the conditions allows.
Edging
Demonstrate as a skill that assists in the turning of the kayak.
Stern Rudder
Performed while on the move, a push pull action should be exhibited
as well as good truck rotation.
Bow Rudder
In the Bow Rudder the paddler should show excellent posture and the
kayak should turn effectively.
Techniques
Paddling in head, beam and following winds.
Candidates must demonstrate that they can control their kayak in wind
conditions up to force 3.
Capsize Drill
Must be demonstrated on Grade II water while wearing a spray deck and
include a 10 metre swim towing the kayak and paddle to the bank, followed
by emptying the kayak correctly.
Rescues
Candidates must act as rescuer and rescuee.
Eskimo Rescue
A confident capsize and banging of the hull with the rescuer moving
in from a distance of 5 metres. A first time recovery must follow but
two attempts are allowed. Rescuer should approach from the front, or
back, of rescuee to lessen the risk to rescuee’s hand. Paddle or Bow
Presentation method may be used.
Weather Forecast
A candidate should be able to record that section of the Marine Forecast
that is relevant to their geographical area. They should be able to
describe what conditions are to be expected on the sea in Forces of
wind from 1 to 5.
Surf Conditions
This aspect of the assessment involves a candidate demonstrating that
they can control their kayak in sea conditions where there are small
waves. If there is no surf present on the day of assessment, sea conditions
in up to Force 3 winds will suffice. On no account should candidates
by asked to paddle, as part of the assessment to paddle, in surf conditions
with waves of greater than one foot.
High Tide
The candidate must simply demonstrate that they can ascertain what time
high water is at the nearest standard port. They may use newspaper,
almanac or local tide guide to get this information. The candidate is
not expected to be familiar with secondary ports or how to work out
tidal streams etc.
Capsize Drill in Deep Water
This aspect must be demonstrated both as a rescuee and rescuer
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