Lewes District Scouts
AIM
An improvement award that covers the basic fiat water skills. The emphasis is on creating the desired movement of the boat through developing an understanding of cause and effect rather than concentrating on rigidly defined strokes. 2 Star level is required for attending a course for the qualification of Level 1 Coach.
PREREQUISITES
BCU 1 Star Test. Where a candidate does not hold this award a small crossection of 1 Star techniques should be incorporated at the assessor's discretion
VENUE
Sheltered water, (not a swimming pool) but see paragraph 17 of the Introductory notes.
ASSESSOR
Level 2 Kayak Coach (Instructor) or higher. Level 3 Coaches in alternative disciplines, who hold the Kayak 3 Star Test or higher, may also assess this award.
THEORY
a question or two of a similar level should be asked under each heading,
Equipment
Sample questions:
What is an asymmetric paddle blade ?
What is the advantage of an assymetric paddle blade ?
Why is a racing boat faster than a touring or short white water boat?
Safety
Sample questions:
Why can it be dangerous to kayak on open water before you are sufficiently experienced ?
Why should you wear a buoyancy aid even if you are a good swimmer?
Why are weirs dangerous?
What is Leptospirosis, and what precautions can you take against it?
Hypothermia/first aid
Sample questions.
What (in simple terms) is meant by 'hypothermia' ?
How is hypothermia avoided ?
Why should you cover cuts and grazes with a waterproof dressing ?
Access
Sample questions:
Can you paddle your kayak on just any river or canal ?
What would you do if someone told you had no right to be canoeing where you are ?
Environment
Sample questions:
What is the most beautiful place in which you have been with your kayak?
What is the best wildlife encounter you have had while canoeing ?
What is the principle you should apply when you leave a picnic or camping site?
Planning
Sample questions:
What should you take with you to ensure your comfort on a short trip
How far do you think you could paddle in a day without becoming too tired and fed up ?
General
Sample questions:
Name three different types of kayaking competition ?
What is meant by 'white water' kayaking ?
Group awareness
Sample questions:
How could you help someone who was having difficulty in keeping up on a trip?
Why is it important to keep together as a group when journeying ?
PRACTICAL 'A'
1 Lifting, carrying and launching the kayak. Candidate to demonstrate good lifting and carrying principles. Boat to be afloat and entry into it without any aid from the paddle, though the paddle must be close.
2 Efficient forward paddling. To paddle a distance of about 200 metres Posture upright but natural. Continuous natural rhythmic paddling, some trunk rotation in evidence. A reasonable degree of steering accuracy to beachieved including 50 metres at a good cruising speed.
3 Reverse paddling and stopping. Candidates should demonstrate controlled and reasonably accurate reverse paddling over a distance of 25m towards a point defined by the assessor. When reversing, looking over one shoulder and unwinding the trunk to produce power must be in evidence. Back (non-drive) face of the paddle presented to the water. For stopping, the canoe should be travelling at a good cruising speed and motion in the opposite direction should be evident within 4 strokes.
4 Moving the kayak sideways. Move boat sideways 5m retaining directional stability. Blade to remain submerged throughout stroke. Top arm no lower than shoulder height. Body rotation. Lower arm extends fully at start of stroke, top hand acts as pivot.
5 Preventing a capsize. Show an efficient low recovery stroke with the boat off balance. A good firm push, with associated hip rotation, should be evident. For high recovery stroke the boat must be off balance with water up to the paddler's waist. Repeated on both sides.
6 Ruddering. The kayak to be paddled up to a good speed, then kept running in a straight line through a narrow gap by the use of a trailing paddle.
7 Turning. The kayak to be turned whilst on the move using firstly a series of sweep strokes, secondly a low brace turn. For the low brace turn, the turn is to be induced by a short effective sweep on the opposite side followed by a good edge into the turn; the paddle should be in the low brace position, level or just in front of hip, shaft as parallel to the surface as boat will allow, back of the blade on the water. The boat carves a slow, stable turn.
8 Disembarking. Correct approach to the bank, exit kayak without use of the paddle. Balance and control of the boat to be maintained. Exit without damaging the kayak or the bank.
9 Securing. The candidate must understand the concept of securing boats at the end of the session, either by tying down or putting onto purpose made racks, using ropes with a secure knot.
PRACTICAL B.
1 Deep Water Rescue. Take charge of a deep water rescue which should be carried out with assistance, then act as the victim.
Demonstrate satisfactory beginnings in;
1 Sculling draw. Body turned towards gunwale. Paddle shaft fairly upright face towards the kayak and deep in the water. Kayak edged slightly to avoid water going onto deck.
2 Sculling support. Kayak edged so that it is just off balance. Paddle shaft horizontal, drive face on the water (controlling hand side), leading edge of blade raised on each slow scull. Arms flexed in a natural position. ( For purpose of this test, the examiner should regard sculling as a balancing and paddle-control exercise, not as a means of survival in a stopper).
3 Eskimo rescue. Recovery with lower body rotation from an upside down position whilst maintaining a hold on the rescuer's bow. May be preceded with practice until recovering from an upside down position. Candidate to act both as rescuer and as victim.
4 Edging Candidate to paddle a circle with inside and outside edging being evident. The direction of the turn which is induced is not significant
Journeying:
1 Provide evidence of at least 1 journey of about 2 hours (6 km) duration.
Author: Kevin Sampson