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Level 1 Kayak Instructor
· General Aims
· Training Course Outline
· Applying to attend a Course
· Applying to attend an Assessment
· Assessment
· Recommended Equipment List
· Guidelines
Level I Kayak Instructor Syllabus
1.00 General Aims of the Level I Kayak Instructor Qualification
The Level I Kayak Instructor Qualification aims to enable candidates to
1.01 become qualified to instruct Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 proficiency level kayaking skills on water of no higher than Grade I difficulty including Very Sheltered water , Designated Lake Areas, and /or in Designated Sheltered Tidal Areas. A Level I Kayak Instructor is specifically not qualified to lead groups and is restricted to static instructional sessions only.
1.02 assess for the Level 1 Kayak Proficiency Award.
2.00 Course Outline
2.01 The Level I Kayak Instructor Qualification requires that a candidate attend a two day training course (or a programme of similar duration) and a one day assessment.
3.00 Applying to attend a Level I Kayak Instructor Training Course
Before applying to attend a Level I Kayak Instructor Training Course, a candidate must
3.01 have registered with the Irish Canoe Union Office as a Level I Kayak Instructor Trainee.
3.02 be of a proficiency level equivalent to the Level 3 Kayak Proficiency Award
3.03 be at least 16 years of age at the time of application.
3.04 have unrestricted access to a fully equipped kayak, personal equipment, and additional equipment as listed for a Level I Kayak Instructor Assessment.
4.00 Applying to attend a Level I Kayak Instructor Assessment
Before applying to attend a Level I Kayak Instructor Assessment, a candidate must
4.01 have maintained registration as a Level I Kayak Instructor Trainee.
4.02 have obtained a Level 3 Kayak Proficiency Award.
4.03 be at least 16 years of age.
4.04 have unrestricted access to a fully equipped kayak, personal equipment, and additional equipment as listed for a Level I Kayak Instructor Assessment.
4.05 have attended an approved Kayak Level I Instructor Training Course or Programme within the 24 months preceding a selected assessment date.
4.06 have recorded in a Level I Kayak Instructor Logbook following the completion of a Level I Instructor Training Course at least 25 hours (on the water) of instructional experience under the supervision of at least two registered Irish Canoe Union Instructors who hold a Level 3 Kayak Instructor qualification or who are members of the Level 1 Kayak Instructor Mentor Panel.
4.07 have recorded in a Level I Instructor Logbook as part of the 25 hours supervised instructional experience details of assisting in the preparation of a group for a Level 2 Kayak Proficiency Assessment. The group must consist of at least three participants.
4.08 possess a current and approved First Aid Certificate( e.g. REC 2 ).
4.09 be recommended for assessment by a registered Irish Canoe Union Level 3 Instructor.
4.10 return to the Irish Canoe Union Office, a completed Level I Kayak Instructor Logbook accompanied by a Level I Kayak Instructor Assessment Application no later than three weeks before a selected assessment date.
5.00 Format of a Level I Kayak Instructor Assessment
5.01 During a Level I Kayak Instructor Assessment, candidates must satisfy an assessor that they are competent to instruct on water of Grade I difficulty. Apart from teaching and personal canoeing ability, candidates must also demonstrate that they are sufficiently mature and responsible to manage a group.
5.02 During assessment, a candidate's personal canoeing proficiency and First Aid may be assessed. It would be expected that a candidate would have maintained a proficiency level equivalent to that of the Level 3 Kayak Proficiency Award and where possible improved on this.
As part of a Kayak Level I Instructor Assessment, a candidate will be expected to
5.03 select a lesson plan lasting up to three hours and to organise an instructional session for a novice/basic level group on water of Grade I difficulty or in a Sheltered Tidal Area.
5.04 teach any stroke, technique, or rescue applicable to flat water as outlined in the Level 3 Kayak Proficiency Syllabus.
5.05 prepare a self-appraisal of the lesson plan/water session
5.06 demonstrate techniques and skills as required by the Level 3 Kayak Proficiency Award, if requested to do so.
5.07 demonstrate an ability to carry out the following rescues efficiently and effectively: Self-Rescue, X or Assisted X-Rescue, All-in Rescue, Unconscious Casualty, Curl or TX Rescue and Eskimo Rescue.
5.08 demonstrate an ability to roll competently without any prior set-up.
5.09 demonstrate an effective method of towing a kayak
5.10 present a suitable kayak correctly fitted out for instruction and with other appropriate personal equipment (See Level I Kayak Instructor List of Equipment). It would be expected that a candidate's equipment would be of a standard consistent with the responsibilities likely to be encountered. Examination of equipment will form an important part of the overall assessment.
5.11 demonstrate effective group control, group rapport, and instructional ability.
5.12 demonstrate a thorough knowledge of basic First Aid as well as a thorough working knowledge of the cause/effect/treatment of Shock, Hypothermia, EAR, and CPR.
5.13 answer questions on aspects of canoeing covered during the Level I Kayak Instructor Training Course.
5.14 attend an interview, where the candidate will present their self-appraisal.
5.15 have recorded in the Level I Kayak Instructor Logbook following registration as a Trainee all canoeing activities relevant to the Level 1 Kayak Instructor Pre Assessment requirements including details of the Kayak Level I Instructor Training Course/Programme. Details of canoeing activities prior to applying for the Level I Kayak Instructor Award should also be recorded.
List of Equipment required for a Level I Kayak Instructor Assessment
A properly equipped kayak must include:
· Rigid end loops and/or toggles
· Kayaks over 270cm in length must have decklines fitted front and back
· Kayaks 270cm or less in length must have cowtails fitted front and back
· Method of securing paddles
· Suitable buoyancy
· Suitable foot rest
· A kayak must be of sufficient volume to carry out all necessary safety equipment and perform any rescue as required by the Level 4 Proficiency Award
Personal canoeing equipment must include:
Paddle
Wetsuit or sufficient thermal clothing
Spray Deck
Buoyancy Aid
Cagoule
Helmet
Canoe Booties or adequate footwear
Equipment must also include:
Towing System
Bivvy Bag and/or group shelter
First Aid Kit
Whistle
Flask and Food
Waterproof Bag or other method of keeping equipment dry
Repair Kit*
Spare Clothes*
*Those items marked with an asterisk need not be carried in the kayak during assessment but should be on site.
Level I Kayak Instructor Qualification Guidelines
· It is recommended that the Level 1 Kayak Instructor Qualification is assessed by an Instructor other than the Instructor who has run the training course leading to the assessment. Notwithstanding this, a Level 1 Kayak Instructor Qualification can only be assessed by a member of the Level 1 Kayak Instructor Qualification Assessor Panel
· Clear guidelines should be given in writing should a candidate fail the assessment as to the areas they need to improve on.
· Candidates cannot depend on any assistance (material or practical) during the course of the assessment.
· No other award may be assessed at the same time as the Level 1 Kayak Instructor Assessment.
· The candidate/assessor ratio should be maximum of 3:1 though 2:1 is preferable
· A Level 1 Kayak Instructor under 18 years must be accompanied on the water by another qualified and registered adult Instructor