Image: A kayaker carries a sit-on-top kayak to the river bank. Two other kayakers wearing helmets are in the foreground

General Aims

The Level 1 Kayak Instructor Award (L1SOTKIA) aims to enable candidates to:

  • Deliver a paddler centred fun approach, using game-based activities to meet the specific needs and skill levels of participants.
  • Deliver activity sessions that are accessible and inclusive to the needs of a wide range of participants and how to support a safe environment for participation by children and vulnerable adults.
  • Train and Assess for the Levels 1 Sit on top Kayak Skills Award

Award Requirements

Before applying to attend a Level 1 Sit on Top Kayak Instructor Course, a candidate must:

  • Hold the Level 2 Sit on Top Kayak Skills Award or the Level 2 Kayak Skills Award (Closed cockpit)*
  • Be a member of Canoeing Ireland.
  • Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application.
  • Have unrestricted access to a fully equipped Sit on Top kayak** personal equipment, and additional equipment as listed for a Level 1Sit on Top Kayak Instructor Assessment.
  • Have completed your Garda vetting process.
  • Attended an approved Sport Ireland Safeguarding 1 workshop.
  • Hold a current First Aid certificate (minimum REC 3 or equivalent recognised course).

*L1SOTKI’s operate from a sit on top kayak.
**Inflatable Kayaks are not an acceptable craft for this award.

Remit

  • The L1SOTKI operates from a Sit on Top kayak
  • The L1SOTKI is specifically not qualified to journey further than 300 metres from their get on, or more than 50 metres offshore
  • The L1SOTKIA is a flatwater Grade 1 award as defined by Canoeing Ireland here.
  • The L1SOTKI operates with a maximum ratio of 1:6

Course Outline

The Level 1 Sit on Top Kayak Instructor award requires that a candidate attends a registered Level 1 Sit on Top Kayak Instructor combined training programme and assessment. The training programme is delivered over 4 days over two weekends. The program includes training, consolidation and continuous assessment. The training course is delivered in as practical a manner as possible, giving the participant’s practical hands-on experiences to develop practice and explore content. The course is a mix of indoor based sessions and outdoor and on the water sessions.

Where possible each course is tailored to the needs of participants on the course, however all courses cover the same module learning outcomes –

  1. Group introduction and course administration
  2. Canoeing Ireland award scheme.
  3. Level 1 Sit on Top Kayak Instructor Award Introduction.
  4. Remit and Scope of the L1SOTKIA

Modules

Day 1

  • Group introduction and course administration
  • Canoeing Ireland award scheme.
  • Level 1 Sit on Top Kayak Instructor Award Introduction.
  • Remit and Scope of the L1SOTKIA

Module 1: The characteristics of a good instructor.

Module 2: Choosing a suitable location.

Module 3: Session planning.

Module 4: Running a session.

Day 2

Module 5: Equipment for instructors and participants.

Module 6: Adaptive paddle sports and disability.

Module 7: Rescues, tows, emergency action plans.

Day 3

Module 8: Considerations in paddle sports.

Module 9: Practice of running a session (consolidation of experience).

Day 4

Module 10: Instructor assessment (practical).

Course Documents