Canoeing Ireland and the Training and Development Unit are launching several new updates to the Canoeing Ireland Award Scheme. These include updates to existing awards as well as website revisions to reflect changes that have already been made. Under each heading below, we outline what has changed, why the change was made, and whether any action is required from current award holders or providers. Full details are available on the updated webpages. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Level 4 River Kayak Instructor Remit Change
What’s Changing –
The remit of the L4RKIA has been changed to clarify grade 3+. Previously it was taken to cover rivers of grade 3, 4 and 5.

Revised Award Structure
Under the revised remit:

  • Level 4 River Kayak Instructors will be qualified to operate on Grade 3+ rivers with up to four students.
  • L4RKIs will be able to train and assess Level 4 Kayak Skills and deliver RSR3 courses.
  • Grade 3 definitions will align with Canoeing Ireland’s published grading guidelines. https://www.canoe.ie/river-grading-and-area-definitions/
  • Grade 3+ will be defined as:
    • “Grade 3 rivers that may include an occasional Grade 4 rapid, where river levels reduce the consequences and difficulty to be consistent with Grade 3 paddling”

Why this change?

  • Make the L4 Instructor award more accessible for Level 3 Instructors looking to progress.
  • Align the instructor pathway more clearly with the established five-level skills and instructorship structure.
  • Provide greater clarity around the grades of water instructors are qualified to operate on.
  • Encourage and support existing L4 Instructors to progress to Level 5, strengthening the national pool of Level 5 Instructors.
  • Increase opportunities for L4 Instructor assessments by improving access to suitable Grade 3 rivers, both domestically and abroad.

Transition Arrangements

  • Current L4 Instructors may apply immediately to enter the Level 5 Instructor pathway.
  • A two-year transition period is considered sufficient for active instructors to complete the L5 pathway, as many will already be operating at or near that level and able to evidence the required experience.
  • All existing L4 Instructors will be contacted directly and given two years to either complete the Level 5 pathway or continue operating as L4 Instructors within the revised remit.
  • During this transition period, there will effectively be a dual remit, with differentiation shown on certificates. While this may cause some short-term confusion, it is seen as a necessary and manageable step to ensure long-term clarity.
  • Current L4 Instructor trainees may begin their Level 5 pathway immediately after successful assessment.

Level 5 Instructor Pathway Clarification
What’s Changing –
Updated information outlining the Level 5 River Kayak and Sea Kayak Instructor awards and pathways is now available on the respective webpages.
Please note that the Level 5 Canoe Instructor award is currently under review. We will provide an update once this review is complete.
Updated information can be found here:

Why This Change?
The Level 5 Instructor qualification represents the highest instructional level. Historically, as applicants were often individual candidates, it was not practical to run standardised courses with fixed training, logging, and assessment processes. Instead, pathways were tailored to each candidate.
Over time, the process has naturally evolved into a more standardised pathway. To improve clarity and transparency, we have now formalised this structure and introduced a dedicated application form alongside a clearly outlined pathway document.

Level 5 River Kayak Instructor – Ratio Update
What’s Changing –
Previously, the group ratio for the Level 5 Instructor Award operating at Level 4 conditions (Grade 3 river / Level 4 sea conditions) was 1:4.
Qualified Level 5 Instructors now have discretion to operate at ratios of up to 1:6, where conditions allow. When determining appropriate group sizes, instructors must continue to carefully consider:

  • Participant experience and skill levels
  • Group ability
  • Environmental and water conditions
  • This update provides greater flexibility while maintaining safety as the top priority.
Why This Change?
In certain river or sea conditions, it is appropriate and safe to manage slightly larger groups. This flexibility allows more participants to access Level 4 skills training while still ensuring that safety standards remain high.

Safety and Rescue 1 (Previously River Safety and Rescue 1)

What’s Changing –

  • River Safety and Rescue 1 has been renamed Safety and Rescue 1.
  • Moving water skills and competencies have been removed.
  • Skills and competencies have been reorganised under clearer headings.
  • Additional rescues, including the unconscious carry and heel hook rescue, have been added to reflect current best practice.

Updated syllabus: https://www.canoe.ie/river-safety-and-rescue-1/

Why This Change?
Safety and Rescue 1 is delivered by Level 2 Instructors, whose remit does not extend to river environments or the moving water required for some elements of the previous syllabus.
Reframing the award as a flatwater qualification provides clarity and ensures alignment with instructor remit. The addition of new rescue techniques ensures the award remains current and relevant.
We will also be reviewing the RSR 2 and RSR 3 syllabi over the coming months in consultation with instructors.

Sit-on-Top Kayak Skills Awards

What’s Changing –

The Sit-on-Top Kayak Skills awards now follow the Level 1, 2, and 3 structure used across other skills awards.
Additional updates include:

  • The Level 2 Sit-on-Top Kayak Skills syllabus now mirrors the Level 2 Kayak Skills syllabus (where skills can be performed on a sit-on-top kayak).
  • A specific self-rescue onto a sit-on-top kayak has been included.
  • The award is now classified as a peer award.
  • It still can be delivered by a Level 2 Kayak Instructor or above.

Updated award pages:

Why This Change?
These updates strengthen the personal skills standard for candidates progressing to the Level 1 Sit-on-Top Instructor award.
Additionally, clubs with a strong sit-on-top focus identified a need for a clear, structured skills pathway that could be delivered to members paddling together as peers. This revision provides that clarity and consistency.

If you have any questions around these changes contact National Development Officer, Steve Fahy – development@canoe.ie.