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Level 3 Kayak Instructor
General Aims
Training Course Outline
Applying to attend a Course
Applying to attend an Assessment
Assessment
Recommended Equipment List
Guidelines
Level 3 Kayak Instructor Syllabus
1.00 General aims of the Level 3 Kayak Instructor Qualification
The Level 3 Kayak Instructor Qualification aims to enable participants to:
1.01 become qualified to instruct and lead kayaking groups safely on water of no higher than Grade 2 difficulty including very Sheltered Waters and/or Sheltered Tidal Areas.
1.02 assess for the Irish Canoe Union Level 2 and Level 3 Kayak Proficiency Awards.
1.03 has an awareness of the competitive canoeing disciplines.
2.00 Training Course Outline
The Level 3 Kayak Instructor Qualification requires that a candidate attend a four-day training course (or a programme of similar duration), a two-day preparation for assessment (which can be credited as 10 hours of the 25 hours logging requirement) and a two-day Assessment. The course content is as follows:
Kayak Teaching on Flat Water (Day 1))
1. Teaching novice and basic level students.
2. Analysis of basic strokes, skills, and techniques.
3. Development of lesson programmes and teaching skills.
4. Use of focussed games and tasks in teaching canoeing
5. Maximising pool use for teaching canoeing
Teaching on Moving Water (Day 2)
1. Personal skill instruction & Briefing groups
2. Coaching at a static Site. Introduction to moving water
3. Teaching basic level students
4. Analysis of intermediate Strokes, Skills, and Techniques
5. Progressions in instructing during river trips
6. Selecting locations on rivers for tasks, goal setting and skill application
Teaching on Moving Water (Day 3)
1. Trip planning
2. Communication & Leadership styles and group control on moving water
3. Teaching advanced whitewater technique and freestyle manoeuvres.
4. Assessment of Level 1, 2 and 3 Kayak Proficiency Awards
5. Promoting awareness of the competitive disciplines within canoeing
River Safety (Day 4)
1. Reading White Water
2. River Rescues - Throw Ropes and Rescues from Kayaks
3. Hazards - Methods of Leading, Protection and Prevention, etc.
4. Group Safety - Management and Communication
5. Equipping yourself for river rescue
6. Management of a rescue / first aid incident in a river setting
3.00 Applying to attend a Level 3 Kayak Instructor Training Course
Before applying for this course, a candidate must
3.01 Have registered, with the Irish Canoe Union Office, as a Level 3 Kayak Instructor Trainee.
3.02 Be of a proficiency level equivalent to the Level 4 Kayak Proficiency Award
3.03 Be at least 18 years
3.04 have unrestricted access to a fully equipped kayak, personal equipment and additional equipment as listed for a Level 3 Kayak Instructor Assessment.
4.00 Applying for a Level 3 Kayak Instructor Assessment
Before applying to attend a Level 3 Kayak Instructor Assessment, a candidate must
4.01 Have Maintained registration as a Level 3 Kayak Instructor
4.02 Have attained a Level 4 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 3 Kayak Instructor Assessment
4.05 Have attended an approved Level 3 Kayak Instructor Training Course or Programme as organised by the Irish Canoe Union within the 24 months period preceding a selected assessment date.
4.06 Attended two Level 2 Proficiency and two Level 3 Kayak Proficiency Assessments.
4.07 Recorded in a Level 3 Kayak Instructor Logbook, following the completion of a Level 3 Kayak Instructor Training Course at least 25 hours * (on the water) of instructional experience under the supervision of at least two (2) registered Level 3 Kayak Instructors
4.08 Recorded as part of the 25 hours supervised instructional experience (on at least three different river trips) details of assisting in the preparation of a group for a Level 2 or Level 3 Kayak Proficiency Assessment. This group must consist of at least three participants.
4.09 Possess a current and approved First Aid Certificate (e.g. REC 3)
4.10 Be recommended for assessment by a registered Level 3 Instructor
4.07 Returned to the Irish Canoe Union Office a completed Level 3 Kayak Instructor Logbook accompanied by all the pre -assessment requirements and a Level 3 Kayak Instructor Assessment application no later than three weeks prior to a selected assessment date.
5.00 Format of the Level 3 Kayak Instructor Assessment
5.01 During the Level 3 Kayak Instructor Assessment candidates must satisfy the assessors that they are mature, responsible and competent to instruct, lead and control a group on water of Grade 2 difficulty. Apart from teaching and personal kayaking ability, candidates must also demonstrate that they are sufficiently mature and responsible to manage a group
5.02 During the period of the Level 3 Kayak Instructor Training Course, and if necessary, at the Level 3 Kayak Instructor Assessment a candidate's personal kayaking proficiency and First Aid may be assessed. It would be expected that a candidate would at least have maintained a proficiency level equivalent to that of the Level 4 Kayak Proficiency and where possible improved on this.
As part of the Level 3 Kayak Instructor Assessment, a candidate will be expected to
5.03 organise and lead an instructional session for beginners or intermediates over the course of a river trip.
5.04 Teach any stroke, technique or rescue applicable to water up to and including Grade 2 difficulty as outlined in the Level 4 Kayak Proficiency Award demonstrate effective group control, group rapport, and instructional ability.
5.05 prepare a self-appraisal of the lesson plan water session for the Assessor.
5.06 demonstrate techniques and skills as required by the Level 4 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 and /or Assisted -X Rescue, All-in-Rescue, Unconscious Casualty, Curl and /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 3 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 3 Kayak Instructor. Examination of equipment will form part of the overall assessment.
5.11 Demonstrate effective group control, group rapport and instructional ability
5.12 Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of First Aid in the canoeing environment as well as a thorough working knowledge of the cause, effect and treatment of Shock, Hypothermia, EAR, CPR and the treatment of an unconscious casualty.
5.13 Answer questions on aspects of canoeing covered during a Level 3 Kayak Instructor Training Course
5.14 Present a short lecture on a canoeing topic with the use of teaching aids
5.15 Attend an interview at which a self appraisal is presented
5.16 Have recorded in a Level 3 Kayak Instructor Logbook, following registration as a Trainee and participation on a Training Course all activities relevant to The Level 3 Kayak Instructor pre-assessment requirements. This should include details of participation on a Level 3 Kayak Instructor Training Course.
Candidates will only be invited to attend an assessment on the satisfactory completion of all the requirements including the submission of a logbook and attendance at a full Level 3 Kayak Instructor Training Course
List of Equipment required for the Level 3 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 and /or sufficient thermal clothing
Spray Deck
Buoyancy Aid with integrated harness
Cagoule
Helmet
Canoe Booties or adequate footwear
Equipment must also include:
Towing System
Throw Rope
Bivvy Bag or equivalent
First Aid Kit
Repair Kit
Split Paddle
Waterproof Bag or other method of keeping equipment dry
Knife
Whistle
Torch
Flask and Food
Spare Clothes
Group Shelter
Sling
Karabiner
Level 3 Kayak Instructor Qualification Guidelines
· It is recommended that Instructors other than the Instructor who has run the training course leading to the assessment assess a Level 3 Kayak Instructor Qualification. Notwithstanding this, a Level 3 Kayak Instructor Qualification can only be assessed by members of the Level 3 Kayak Instructor Assessor Panel
· Clear guidelines should be given in writing should a candidate fail an assessment as to the areas that need to be improved on.
· Candidates cannot depend on any assistance (material or practical) during the course of an assessment.
· No other award may be assessed at the same time as the Level 3 Kayak Instructor Qualification.
· The candidate/assessor ratio should be a maximum of 8:2 but 6:2 is preferable
· A Level 3 Kayak Instructor Assessment must be assessed by a minimum of two members of the Level 3 Kayak Instructor Assessor Panel and should include, where possible, a qualified First Aid Trainer approved.