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Level 4 Kayak Proficiency
Level 4 Kayak Proficiency Award
· General Aims
· Requirements
· Applying to attend an assessment
· Assessment
· Required Equipment List
· Guidelines
Level 4 Kayak Proficiency Syllabus
1.00 General aims of the Level 4 Kayak Proficiency Award
The Level 4 Kayak Proficiency Award aims to enable participants to
1.01 kayak safely and competently on rivers up to and including rivers of Grade 3 difficulty.
1.02 be capable of negotiating obstacles likely to be encountered on rivers of Grade 3 difficulty.
1.03 deal competently with rescue situations that might occur on rivers up to and including Grade 3 difficulty
1.04 develop group awareness.
2.00 Requirements for the Level 4 Kayak Proficiency Award
To obtain the Level 4 Kayak Proficiency Award a participant must successfully explain and demonstrate the following techniques and skills at a proficiency level higher than that required for the Level 3 Kayak Proficiency Award and be capable of demonstrating any combination of the strokes competently and efficiently. The assessment will take place during a river trip of at least three miles on water of Grade 3 difficulty.
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 Edging
2.04 Bow Rudder
2.05 Stern Rudder
2.06 Low Brace Turn
2.07 Low Recovery
2.08 High Recovery
2.09 Sculling for Support
2.10 Sculling Draw
2.11 Draw Stroke
2.12 Hanging Draw
2.13 Defensive Swimming
Techniques
2.14 an ability to use water conditions available for the effective and efficient manoeuvring of a kayak.
2.15 competence in negotiating water obstructions i.e. Standing Waves, Stoppers, and an ability to utilise it to cross a river.
2.16 competence in negotiating bends where water flows under trees or against vertical riverbank.
2.17 Forward Ferry Gliding (facing upriver).
2.18 Reverse Ferry Gliding (facing downriver).
2.19 Breaking In accurately.
2.20 Breaking Out accurately.
2.21 Eskimo Roll.
2.22 Capable of Self-Rescue.
2.23 Demonstrate the correct side surfing techniques in a small stopper
Rescues and Safety Techniques
2.24 Assisted X and/or an X Rescue.
2.25 Eskimo Rescue (maximum lower body rotation).
2.26 Curl Rescue and/or TX Rescue.
2.27 Stern Carry.
2.28 Unconscious Casualty (method of righting an unconscious person in a capsized kayak)
2.29 an ability to manoeuvre an empty kayak between two specified points.
2.30 an ability to assist an incapacitated canoeist in a kayak between two specified points.
2.31 an ability to use a Throw Rope as a rescuer, a rescuee and in a recoil situation.
2.32 An ability to set up suitable anchor points for an effective rescue
2.33 a practical knowledge of First Aid and its relevance to possible situations arising during a canoeing trip to include: Shock, Hypothermia, Head Injuries, Dislocations, Bleeding, CPR, EAR.
Theory
2.34 An understanding of the following:River Grading
River Route Finding
Types of GP kayaks and paddles
Towing Systems and methods
Group Control and Awareness
Signals and Commands
Personal Equipment
3.00 Applying to attend an Advanced Kayak Proficiency Assessment
Before applying to attend a Level 4 Kayak Proficiency Award Assessment, a candidate must
3.01 have obtained the Level 3 Kayak Proficiency Award.
3.02 have unrestricted access to a fully equipped kayak, personal equipment and additional equipment as detailed on Level 4 Kayak Proficiency List of Equipment)
3.03 be at least 16 years of age.
3.04 Have returned to the Irish Canoe Union Office a Level 4 Kayak Proficiency Assessment application form no later than three weeks prior to a selected assessment date
4.00 Assessment for the Level 4 Kayak Proficiency Award
4.01 During an assessment candidates must demonstrate all techniques and skills at a proficiency level higher than that required for the Level 3 Kayak Proficiency Award All techniques, skills and rescues must be demonstrated and assessed to the required level in order to achieve this award.
4.02 All strokes and techniques must be demonstrated in relevant situations, e.g. sculling in a small stopper. Strokes should also be demonstrated on both sides of the kayak.
4.03 All rescues must be executed by the candidate acting as both rescuee and rescuer. Generally the required assessment rescues will be kept until the end of the assessment river trip.
4.04 While it is not compulsory to attend a training course prior to assessment, it is strongly recommended.
Level 4 Kayak Proficiency Award Assessment Guidelines
· It is recommended that the Level 4 Kayak Proficiency Award be assessed by an instructor other than the instructor who has run the training course leading to the assessment. Notwithstanding this, a Level 4 Kayak Proficiency Award can only be assessed by a member of the Level 4 Kayak Proficiency Assessor Panel.
· The assessment will be carried with a maximum ratio of 4:1.
· Clear guidelines will be given in writing should the candidate fail an assessment as to the areas that they need to improve on.
· No other award may be assessed at the same time as the Level 4 Kayak Proficiency Award.
List of Equipment required for the Level 4 Kayak Proficiency 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
Throw Rope
Bivvy Bag or group shelter
First Aid Kit
Repair Kit which should include (at a minimum)
waterproof repair tape and cable ties
Split Paddle
Sling
Karabiner
Waterproof Bag or other method of keeping equipment dry
Knife
Whistle
Torch
Flask and Food
Spare Clothes