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Sea Kayak Skills Introduction to Kayaking

Aim
Sea Kayak Skills Introduction to Kayaking introduces the novice to paddling a kayak in calm sheltered water. Rescue techniques at this level incorporate the use of a paddling partner and it is essential for all Introduction to Kayaking certified paddlers to travel on the water with others who have been trained in the techniques of assisted rescues.

Upon Successful Completion
The Sea Kayak Skills Introduction to Kayaking is certified to:

Teach the following courses:
Not Applicable

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

Prerequisites
• None

Course Length
• 8 hours minimum

Class Ratio
1 Instructor : 6 Participants

Location
• Enclosed and sheltered with easy landing options immediately present.
• This course can be conducted in a pool.

Conditions
• Wind calm (< 8 knots)
• Sea state calm to rippled.

Program Overview

Rescue skills
Rescue skills concentrate on the safety of the individual paddler while paddling near shore with easy uninterrupted landing opportunities.

Retrieving a swamped kayak
• Participants should be able to swim out 25m to a swamped kayak and swim it back to shore.

Wet exit
• Capsize, tuck forward, reach around boat, bang side of boat three times, move hands back and forth along the hull, pull spray skirt cord, easily come out of the boat and surface comfortably. The paddler must show confidence and control.

Assisted Rescue
• 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.

Rafting
• Raft up in a group to form a stable platform.

Paddling skills
Introduce an understanding of the essentials of maneuvering and control of the kayak. Successful completion of the this course indicates competence to paddle a sea kayak along an enclosed and sheltered shore in the company of a more skilled partner.

Lifts and Carries
• Lifting and carrying the kayak in a safe and appropriate manner.

Entering / Exiting the kayak
• With the kayak in the water
• With the kayak out of the water (beach launch).

Forward and reverse strokes
• Paddle forward 100 meters in a straight line.
• Paddle in reverse for 20 meters in a straight line.

Sweep stroke
• Use a sweep stroke to pivot turn in both directions.

Draw Stroke
• Use a draw stroke to move the kayak sideways 3 metres.

Low Brace
• Simulate a capsize and demonstrate proper low brace technique.

Edging
• Paddle 5 meters forward with the kayak tilted on edge.

Knowledge
Participants should be familiar with:
• Parts of the kayak, different boat shapes and their effect on the kayak in the water.
• Basic outfitting of a kayak for personal fit, control and safety.
• Clothing appropriate for paddling in different water temperatures and weather conditions.
• The proper use of basic safety equipment required for kayaking.
• The diverse selection and attributes of various paddles.
• Different warm-up procedures that can prevent common injuries
• Proper care of the paddle, PFD and kayak.

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

Journeying and Seamanship
• Developing good judgment is fundamental and should be encouraged at all levels. The participant in the Introduction to Kayaking course can engage in a guided exercise of judgment and decision-making prior to going out paddling. Typically this can be accomplished in 15 minutes. Concerns of judgment at this level provide more questions than answers and because the participant's lack of practical experience they must be advised to err on the side of considerable caution. Discussions related to journeying and seamanship need to focus on general patterns, accepted rules and emphasize the need for continued training and additional experience.

Participants should engage in a guided-exercise to develop awareness of:
• Their own abilities.
• The present paddling conditions in the near vicinity.

Participants should engage in a guided-exercise to:
• Assess the local environment.
• Identify other locations suitable for calm water paddling.
• Determine personal needs.
• Choose necessary equipment.
• Prepare equipment for departure.

Possible open ended questions to stimulate discussion:
• Where does good judgment come from?
• What tools do we have available to aid in our awareness of the environment?
• What senses do we have to help our judgment?
• Why do we need to be aware of our environment?
• What are the environmental conditions we can observe?
• What information is provided by our 5 senses?
• What are the psychological conditions we are experiencing?
• Are we prepared for what could happen in these waters?
• What resources are available to help with our decisions?
• How should we decide to go or stay?

Participants should be encouraged to consciously participate in these judgments every time they consider going out paddling.

Heritage
• Discuss the legacy of arctic peoples on modern sea kayaking.

Environment
• Demonstrate through discussion an awareness of the potential for negative environmental impacts from sea kayaking.

Instructors
The following instructors are accredited to offer this course:
Sea Kayak Instructor Introduction to Kayaking
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:
Not Applicable

Assessment
Activities focus on individual safety and comfortable paddling along a calm shoreline. While there is a great deal to learn at this level, the activities should concentrate on personal progress and an awareness of the need for future learning. Paddlers should leave the course encouraged to continue their learning and aware of their individual limitations.