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Level 4 Kayak Instructor
• General Aims
• Training Course Outline
• Applying to attend a Course
• Applying to attend an Assessment
• Assessment
• Recommended Equipment List
• Guidelines
Level 4 Kayak Instructor Syllabus
1.00 General aims of the Level 4 Kayak Instructor Qualification
The Level 4 Kayak Instructor Qualification aims to enable candidates to:
1.01 Become qualified to instruct and lead groups safely on water of Grade 3+ difficulty in a kayak.
1.02 Assess for the Irish Canoe Union Levels 2, 3 and 4 Kayak Proficiency Awards.
1.03 Foster further participation and improvement in kayaking standards
1.04 Promote safe kayaking standards.
2.00 Course Outline
The Level 3 Kayak Instructor Qualification requires that a candidate attend a one day assessment. A further optional one day training workshop is highly recommended though is not compulsory
The course/workshop content should include the following:
Advanced Kayak teaching on white water
1. Kayak Design appropriate for students and activity
2. Advanced River grading
3. Assessment of the Level 4 Kayak Proficiency award.
4. Feedback techniques
5. Different methods of instruction and use of Audio Visual aids
6. Leadership & Decision Making – running Grade 3 + rapids
7. Management of a rescue / first aid incident in the river setting
8. Teaching advanced Whitewater techniques and freestyle manoeuvres such as boofs, flares
3.00 Applying to attend a Level 4 Kayak Instructor Workshop
Before applying for this course/workshop a candidate must
3.01 Be currently registered with the Irish Canoe Union Office as a Level 3 Kayak Instructor
3.02 Hold the Level 5 Kayak Proficiency Award or equivalent
3.03 have unrestricted access to a suitable kayak, personal equipment and additional equipment as listed for the Level 5 Kayak Proficiency award
3.04 Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application.
3.05 Complete a course application and return to Canoe Union office
4.00 Applying to attend a Level 4 Kayak Instructor Assessment
Candidates will only be invited to attend an assessment on the satisfactory attainment of Level 5 Kayak Proficiency award and hold the Level 3 Kayak Instructor qualification for at least one year
Before applying to attend a Level 4 Kayak Instructor Assessment, a candidate must
4.01 Be a Level 3 Kayak Instructor for a minimum of one year
4.02 Be currently registered as a Level 3 Kayak Instructor
4.03 Hold the Level 5 Kayak Proficiency award
4.04 Attend two Level 4 Kayak Proficiency Assessments
4.05 Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application.
4.06 have unrestricted access to a suitable kayak, personal equipment and additional equipment as listed for the Level 5 Kayak Proficiency award
4.06 Possess a current First Aid Certificate approved by the Training and Development Committee (REC 3 or WFA 3 or equivalent)
4.07 Return a completed Level 4 Kayak Instructor assessment application to the Irish Canoe Union Sport HQ Park West Dublin 12 no later than two weeks (14 days) prior to the assessment date
5.00 Format of a Level 4 Kayak Instructor Assessment
The Level 4 Kayak Instructor Assessment will take place over one day and must include a river trip on Grade 3+ difficulty over a distance a 2-5 miles (4-8 kilometres)
The Assessment Group on the river trip of the assessment should consist of the following:
Assessors
Minimum of two registered Assessors on the Level 4 Kayak Instructor Assessor Panel
Assessees
Minimum of two and up to a maximum of four Assessees
Other River Trip Participants
Minimum of two and up to a maximum of four participants who must hold at minimum the Level 3 Kayak Proficiency Award
During the assessment a candidate
• Must satisfy the assessors that he/she is mature, responsible and competent to instruct, lead and control a group on a river trip of Grade3+ difficulty at a minimum.
• Must show an ability to instruct a group of students on a river trip of Grade3+ difficulty.
• Have knowledge, both oral and practical, of advanced white water techniques, skills and rescues.
• Have knowledge, both oral and practical, of First Aid and CPR as applied in a high grade river environment.
• Have maintained a proficiency level equivalent to that of the Level 5 Kayak Proficiency.
• Attend an interview with assessors
As part of the Level 4 Kayak Instructor Assessment, a candidate will be expected to
5.01 Present a suitable kayak correctly fitted out for instruction and other appropriate personal equipment (See 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 4 Instructor. Examination of equipment will form part of the overall assessment.
5.02 Organise and lead a group of intermediate level paddlers on a river trip of Grade 3+ difficulty over a distance of 2-5 miles (4-8 kilometres )
5.03 During the course of the river trip teach any stroke, technique or rescue applicable to Grade 3+ water while demonstrating effective group control, group rapport, and instructional ability. In addition teach any modern river running technique as outlined on Level 5 Kayak Proficiency syllabus such as boofs, flares etc.
5.04 Satisfy the assessors that he/she is mature, responsible and competent to instruct, lead and control a group on a river trip of Grade 3+ difficulty.
5.05 Be able to demonstrate white water and deep water rescue techniques on a Grade 3 + water
5.06 As part of an interview give a debrief of the river trip for the Assessors and answer questions, either written and oral, on relevant aspects of kayaking such as modern kayak design , advanced river grading , feedback techniques , suitable kayaks for students and activity and assessing skills.
List of Equipment required for the Level 4 Kayak Instructor Assessment
A correctly 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 all necessary safety equipment and perform any rescue as required by the Level 4 Kayak Proficiency Award.
Personal canoeing equipment must include:
Paddle
Wetsuit or sufficient thermal clothing
Spray Deck
Buoyancy Aid with integrated harness
Cagoule
Helmet
Canoe Booties or adequate footwear
Equipment must also include:
Towing System with quick release
Throw Bag
Bivvy Bag or equivalent
First Aid Kit
Split Paddle
Whistle
Repair Kit
Knife
Whistle
Torch
Flask and Emergency Food
Spare Clothes
Waterproof Bag or other method of keeping equipment dry
Karabiners x 2
Sling
Prussic Loops x2
Map
Group Shelter
Recommended Contents of First Aid Kit
Rubber gloves
Vent aid or resuscitation barrier device
Assorted plasters
Paramedical shears
Tweezers
Safety pins
Roll of first aid tape
Triangular 3´bandages
3´Wound dressings (assorted sizes)
Roller bandages (assorted 3´sizes)
Foil blanket or emergency blanket
Penlight or snap light
Notebook and pencil
Sam splint
Waterproof container (to keep supplies dry)
A candidate's personal and group kit will be evaluated as part of the assessment. Candidates must present suitable personal equipment plus any additional equipment deemed to be appropriate to support other members of the group. Equipment should reflect such things as the season, the abilities of the group, and the grade of the river being undertaken. Borrowed equipment will be assessed as if it were a candidate's own. A candidate should be aware that on advanced grade rivers having too much or inappropriate equipment can nearly be as hazardous as having too little.
Level 4 Kayak Instructor Qualification Assessment Guidelines
The Level 4 Kayak Instructor Assessment will take place over one day to include a river trip on Grade 3+ difficulty over a distance a 2-5 miles (4-8 kilometres)
The Assessment Group on the river trip of the assessment should consist of the following:
Assessors - Minimum of two registered Assessors on the Level 4 Kayak Instructor Assessor Panel. The candidate/assessor ratio should be a maximum of 4:2.
Assessees- Minimum of two and up to a maximum of four Assessees
Other River Trip Participants- Minimum of two and up to a maximum of four participants who must hold at minimum the Level 3 Kayak Proficiency Award
Panel aspirants: Maximum of two Level 4 Kayak Instructor Panel aspirants (These may not form part of the participant group above)
• No other award may be assessed at the same time as the Level 4 Kayak Instructor Qualification
• Clear guidelines will be given in writing should a candidate fail an assessment as to the areas that they need to improve on.
• Candidates cannot depend on any assistance (material or practical) during the course of an assessment.
Level 4 Kayak Instructor Qualification Guidelines
The maximum ratios for a Level 4 Kayak Instructor are
• Grade 1 water 1 instructor : 8 participants
• Grade 2 water 1 instructor : 6 participants
• Grade 3+ water 1 instructor : 4 participants
Consideration should be given to lower ratios depending on weather and water conditions and students ability level