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Level 2 Kayak Instructor
General Aims
Training Course Outline
Applying to attend a Course
Applying to attend an Assessment
Assessment
Recommended Equipment List
Guidelines
1.00 General aims of the Level 2 Kayak Instructor Qualification
The Level 2 Kayak Instructor Qualification aims to enable candidates to
1.01 become qualified to instruct introductory, basic, and intermediate proficiency level kayaking skills on water of no higher than Grade I difficulty including Very Sheltered Waters and/or Sheltered Tidal Areas.
1.02 Become qualified to journey on
• Canals
• Sections of a river that does not include rapids or weirs
• Defined shorelines around a lake The Instructor is specifically not qualified to journey across a lake
• Harbours and Very sheltered Tidal Waters
1.03 Assess for the Level 1 & 2 Kayak Proficiency Awards
2.00 Training Course Outline
2.01 The Level 2 Kayak Instructor Qualification requires that a candidate attend a three day training course (or a programme of similar duration) and a one day assessment.
3.00 Applying to attend a Level 2 Kayak Instructor Training Course
Before applying to attend a Level 2 Kayak Instructor Training Course, a candidate must
3.01 have registered with the Irish Canoe Union as a Level 2 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 2 Kayak Instructor Assessment.
4,00 Applying to attend a Level I Kayak Instructor Assessment
Before applying to attend a Level 2 Kayak Instructor Assessment, a candidate must
4.01 have maintained registration as a Level 2 Kayak Instructor Trainee.
4.02 have obtained a Level 3 Kayak Proficiency Award.
4.03 be at least 18 years of age.
4.04 have unrestricted access to a fully equipped kayak, personal equipment, and additional equipment as listed for a Level 2 Kayak Instructor Assessment.
4.05 Have attended an approved Level 2 Kayak Instructor Training Course or Programme within the 24 months period preceding a selected assessment date.
4.06 have recorded in a Level 2 Kayak Instructor Logbook following the completion of a Level 2 Kayak Instructor Training Course at least 25 hours (on the water) of instructional experience under the supervision of at least two registered Level 3 Kayak Instructors.
4.07 Have recorded in a Level 2 Kayak 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 Level 2).
4.09 be recommended for assessment by a registered Level 3 Kayak Instructor.
4.10 have returned to the Irish Canoe Union Office a completed Level 2 Kayak Instructor Logbook accompanied by a Level 2 Kayak Instructor Assessment application form no later than three weeks before a selected assessment date.
5.00 Format of a Level 2 Kayak Instructor Assessment
5.01 During a Level 2 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, aspects of 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 to have improved on this.
As part of an assessment, a candidate would 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 Award Syllabus.
5.05 prepare a self-appraisal of their 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 along 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 by a Level 1 Kayak Instructor. 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 a Level 2 Kayak Instructor Training Course.
5.14 attend an interview at which their self-appraisal is presented.
5.15 have recorded in a Level 2 Kayak Instructor Logbook, following registration as a Trainee, all canoeing activities relevant to the Level 2 Kayak Instructor assessment requirements including details of their Level 2 Kayak Instructor Training Course/Programme. Details of canoeing activities prior to applying to attend a Level 2 Kayak Instructor Training Course should also be recorded.
Equipment List required for a Level 2 Kayak Instructor Assessment
A correctly equipped kayak must include:
Rigid end loops and/or toggles
Deck lines
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 all necessary safety equipment and perform any rescue as required by the Level 5 Kayak 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 or equivalent*
First Aid Kit
Whistle
Repair Kit* (For repairs to both fibreglass and plastic kayaks)
Flask and Food*
Spare Clothes*
Waterproof Bag or other method of keeping equipment dry
* Items marked with an asterisk need not be carried in the kayak during assessment but should be on site
Level 2 Kayak Instructor Qualification Guidelines
It is recommended that a Level 2 Kayak Instructor Qualification is assessed by an instructor other than the instructor who runs the training course leading to assessment. Notwithstanding this, a Level 2 Kayak Instructor Qualification can only be assessed by a registered member of the Level 2 Kayak Instructor Assessment Panel.
Clear guidelines should be given in writing should a candidate fail an assessment as to the areas which need to be improved upon.
Candidates cannot depend on any assistance (material or practical) during the course of an assessment.
No other award or qualification can be assessed during a Level 2 Kayak Instructor Assessment.
The assessment candidate/assessor ratio is a maximum of 3:1