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Sea Kayak Skills Level 1

Aim
Sea Kayak Skills Level 1 provides the skill and knowledge necessary for day-long sea kayaking trips in sheltered waters (non-wilderness areas). Successful completion of Level 1 indicates competence to paddle a sea kayak within a sheltered bay in the company of one or more paddlers with Level 1 or greater skill and knowledge.

Upon Successful Completion
The Sea Kayak Skills Level 1 is certified to:

Teach the following courses:
Not Applicable

Assist and/or Apprentice (Mentorship) on the following courses:
Not Applicable

Prerequisites
• Paddle Canada Introduction to Kayaking Skills certification or equivalent skill and knowledge.

Course Length
• 12 hours minimum

Class Ratio
1 Instructor : 6 Participants

Location
• Sheltered waters with uninterrupted easy landing options.

Conditions
• Light winds (0-11 knots)
• Current (0-0.5 knots)
• Sea state calm to light chop.

Program Overview
Rescue skills

Eskimo rescue
• Demonstrate a confident capsize and attract attention by banging on the hull. The rescuer will move in from 5 metres away but should not approach at right angles to where the hands or body are located. The victim must show confidence and control; bow, stern, side or paddle presentation may be used.

Assisted Rescues
• In deep water, wet-exit and re-enter the kayak with assistance from another paddler. The capsize must be natural with spray deck in place.
• Rescue is complete when the excess water is removed from the cockpit, the swimmer is back in the boat, the spray-skirt is attached and the paddler has regained sufficient stability to paddle effectively.
• The participant will demonstrate as both swimmer and rescuer. Participants should have the opportunity to practice both the T-rescue and the raft, re-enter and pump techniques.

Unassisted re-entry
• Wet exit and re-enter a kayak in deep water. Aids such as a paddle float may be used.

Contact tow
• Demonstrate a simple contact tow without the use of a towline.

Paddling skills
It is important to master the skills for calm water in this level before moving on to the open water conditions to be found in Sea Kayak Skills Level 2.

Lifts and carries
• Use proper body mechanics to prevent injury while moving a kayak.

Launching & landing
• Demonstrate launching and landing in sheltered conditions off a beach or dock.

Forward paddling
• Demonstrate efficient forward paddling, with good speed and control over 100 metres. Show good upright posture, torso rotation, extended front arm.

Stopping
• Travel at a moderate speed then stop the kayak within 2 strokes (count one side).

Reverse paddling
• Demonstrate controlled reverse paddling while looking back for a clear and safe route. Show good torso rotation.

Sweep strokes
• From a static start, turn the kayak 360 degrees. Use a combination of forward and reverse sweep strokes. Show efficient placement of the paddle and unwinding of the trunk. While moving forward at good speed, turn the kayak with a forward sweep stroke and edging.

Edge control
• The paddler will demonstrate beginnings of good edging control that assists turning.

Draw stroke
• From a static start, move the kayak sideways 2 metres, using the draw stroke and the sculling draw stroke. While moving forward, move the kayak sideways using a draw stroke.

Low & high brace
• The paddler will demonstrate an understanding of correct technique to prevent a capsize with a low and a high brace.

Stern rudder
• Use the stern rudder stroke to turn the kayak in calm conditions.

Knowledge
The extent of knowledge required for safe paddling at this level is governed by the conditions within a sheltered bay. The following list is not exhaustive and is provided here as a guide to the nature and extent of knowledge necessary for safe and enjoyable paddling in a Level 1 environment.

Equipment
Demonstrate basic knowledge of the features and attributes of equipment, including
• Canadian Coast Guard equipment requirements.
• Sea kayak, paddle and spray skirt designs.
• Bailing devices.
• PFD and clothing.
• Rescue Equipment.

Kayaking resources
• Be aware of sources of information such as: Provincial Paddling Associations, books, videos, web sites, local clubs and outfitters.

Journeying & Seamanship
• Developing good judgment should be encouraged and prior to going paddling participants should engage in guided exercises that develop judgment and decision-making.
• Demonstrate judgment as appropriate for daylong trips in Level 1 conditions.
• Understand the differences between open coastal paddling and paddling in sheltered water.
• Identify several safe locations and routes for Level 1 paddling.

Engage in guided risk-assessment exercises appropriate to day-long excursions that:
• Determine the abilities of themselves and the group.
• Anticipate the present and future needs for themselves and the group.
• Anticipate the present paddling conditions in the near vicinity and the anticipated paddling conditions at a proposed destination.
• Determine safe proximity of paddlers for group safety and communication.
• Determine the need for a paddling plan and an Emergency Response Plan.

Typical questions to stimulate discussion
• How accurate is your awareness of your skills and the demands of the trip?
• What is your current physical, emotional and mental state?
• What is your role and responsibility within the group?
• What are the responsibilities of the group toward the individuals?
• What are your personal objectives?
• What are the group objectives?
• Are you comfortable with the trip plan?
• Have the objectives and roles been discussed within the group?

Organize the gear and packing for a day-long outing.
• Create necessary paddling plans, and lists for food, water, and shelter.
• Describe the means to outfit a sea kayak for proper fit and adjustment.
• Obtain a weather forecast and discern the probable effect on sea conditions.
• Describe local tidal conditions and other water-level concerns.
• Describe the effects on sea conditions caused by changing water levels, currents and wind.
• Give examples of techniques to assist in maintaining contact with others.
• Describe the role of leadership, home boat, and paddling buddies.
• Demonstrate effective hand and sound signals.
• Demonstrate an understanding of hypothermia prevention and treatment.
• Discuss the use of flares, whistles, radios, and other means of signaling.
• Discuss emergency procedures such as what to do if stranded overnight.

Heritage
• Participate in/watch/read at least one, symposium, video, book or magazine article.

Environment
• Discuss the impact of kayakers on the local natural environment. Participants should be able to identify at least 3 potential negative impacts and appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Describe at least 2 common local species frequently seen by kayakers by identifying 2-3 obvious characteristics such as colour, size, behaviour, location, or habitate.

Instructors
The following instructors are accredited to offer this course:
Sea Kayak Instructor Level 1
Sea Kayak Instructor Level 2
Sea Kayak Instructor Level 3
Sea Kayak Instructor Level 4
Sea Kayak Instructor Trainer Introduction to Kayaking
Sea Kayak Instructor Trainer Level 1
Sea Kayak Instructor Trainer Level 2
Sea Kayak Instructor Trainer Level 3


The following instructors may assist/apprentice (Mentorship) on this course:
Sea Kayak Instructor Introduction to Kayaking


Assessment
Activities focus on safety and gaining paddling skills for a day trip within a large bay or sheltered shoreline. Issues of mutual safety between paddling partners and judgements of sea conditions throughout the day and out of sight along the shore are included. Paddlers will deal with the concerns for packing a kayak and the gear necessary for a comfortable day trip and solving problems in the field. Paddlers should leave the course encouraged to continue their learning and awareness of their limitations.