Before tackling a Grade III rapid what should you be able to do?

Support Stroke. Stationary and on the move - high and low

brace. The water must reach paddlers waist for high braces. Performed on

both sides. Solid push with associated hip-flick should be in evidence.

Draw Stroke. Top hand high. Blade well covered. The boat must

keep a straight line sideways through the water. Top hand pushing, lower

pulling. Blade to remain under water throughout. Both sides.

Low Brace Turn. The kayak is moved at good speed, and a turn

induced by applying a sweep stroke on the opposite side, followed by a

strong lean into the turn. Back of paddle trailing on surface ready for

support. Left and Right.

Capsize and Rescue. Capsize on the move - no setting of paddle

or holding onto spraydeck on immersion. Letting go of boat after

surfacing means disqualification. The paddle should be retained

throughout. Candidate must the be rescued from deep water and

successfully re-enter the kayak. He or she must then rescue another

paddler from deep water, putting the back into their kayak, with help if

required.

Good Basic Forward and Back Paddling. Dynamic seating

position. Correct entry and exit of the blade, with trunk rotation.

Sufficient power in stroke to paddle against wind or current. Ability to

keep boat straight. Correct width of paddle grip. When reversing,

looking behind, and unwinding the trunk to produce power. Non drive

surface of paddle blade presented to water, with the pushing being down

( not wide sweep).

Stern Rudder. Forward movement downstream or downwind. Paddle

placed well back to stern, blade upright. The kayak must be kept running

on a straight course by the use of the paddle on one side only. Exercise

repeated on alternate side.

Practical - B

 

Demonstrate satisfactory beginnings in:

 

Sculling - support and draw. Synchronised action with change

of blade angle coinciding with change of direction. Controlling wrist

performing main part of action. Both sides of kayak. Slight lean on to

scull for support ( not necessarily off balance). Paddle loom will

probably be across body for sculling draw, blade fairly high in water.

Eskimo Rescue. Recovery with lower body rotation from an

upside down position whilst maintaining hold on rescuer's bow. May be

preceded with practice until recovering from an upside down position.

 

 

 

3 Star Award

 

Aim: When the candidate can pass this test he or she can consider themselves to be a canoeist rather than a beginner. The 4 and 5 star tests are advanced awards.

Examiner: BCU Senior Instructor (Kayak)

Theory

Each candidate to answer two questions under each heading.

Sample Questions

 

             Types of Kayak

 

State the main differences between a sprint racing K1 and a Slalom K1?

What are the main differences between a canoe and a kayak?

 

            Types of Paddle

 

What is meant by flat, curved and spooned?

Why is an asymmetric blade so shaped?

What is meant by feathering

 

Use of Tow Line

 

How would you tow two kayaks at the same time?

When would you attach yourself to a kayak?

When would you not attach yourself to a kayak?

Where would you carry a towline when paddling on a river?

 

    Personal Equipment for a Day on the Water

 

What would you wear for a river trip in winter?

When is an anorak hood or crash helmet important?

What is exposure and how would you recognise and deal with

it?

 

Practical - A

Each candidate must successfully perform each skills

 

Sculling Draw. Paddle nearly upright, blade deep. An effective

sideways motion must be evident. Both directions. Boat must be kept

straight.

Sculling Support. Paddle low, with good solid sweeps and

confident committal to paddle. Water must reach paddler's waist, with

kayak off balance. Both sides.

Recovery Stroke. Good solid hanging support strokes with

kayak completely off balance ( lower and upper gunnels in perpendicular

plane). Demonstration both sides, stationary and on the move, and

followed by forward paddling.

Draw Stroke. An effective pulling of the kayak sideways from

its course without turning the boat. Performed on the move. Both sides.

Bow Rudder. An effective 180 degree turn with paddle blade

remaining forward of the cockpit (both directions).

Eskimo Rescue. A confident capsize and banging of the hull,

with rescuer moving in from 5 metres distance. A first time recovery

must follow but 2 attempts may be made. Rescuer should approach from in

front of, or behind the paddler, to avoid risk to rescuee's hands.

Tilting the kayak to assist turning. Turn a circle with basic

forward paddling strokes (no sweeps) obtaining the turning moment by

holding the kayak tilted on to its gunnel. (Both directions)

 

 

Practical - B

Demonstrate satisfactory beginnings in:

 

Single handed rescue. An effective lone rescue of another

canoeist, returning him or her to their kayak in deep water. The

capsized paddler may assist as instructed by the candidate.

Eskimo Roll. Candidate must come up within three attempts,

during each of which the instructor may guide the paddle, but not touch

the boat or paddler. A half roll is acceptable ( ie down and up again on

the same side).

 

 

 

 

 

Questions or problems regarding this web site should be directed to [MMSUCanoe@hotmail.com]. Copyright © 1999 [Manchester Metropolitan University Canoe Club]. All rights reserved. Last modified: Thursday November 22, 2001.