Image: A smiling woman in a sit-on-top kayak. The woman is wearing an orange buoyancy aid and a red helmet. Another woman can be seen in the background also on a sit-on-top kayak

General Aims

The Level 1 Sit-On-Top Kayak Skills Award aims to enable participants to:

  • Paddle safely and competently on a Sit-on-Top kayak on sheltered flat water as a member of a group being led.
  • Assist in basic flat water rescues.

Award Requirements

  • The Level 1 Sit-On-Top Kayak Skills Award is not a compulsory pre requisite for any subsequent Canoeing Ireland skills awards.
  • No age restriction applies to this award.

Requirements

Participant must successfully demonstrate the following techniques and skills:

  • Forward Paddle
  • Reverse Paddle
  • Emergency Stop
  • An ability to turn while stationary using Forward Sweep Stroke, Reverse Sweep Stroke and a combination of Forward and Reverse Sweep Strokes.
  • Simple Draw Stroke.

  • An ability to Mount and Dismount a Sit-on-Top kayak correctly from the bank.
  • A water based Capsize Drill and dismount from the Sit-on-Top kayak.
  • Self rescue following a capsize drill, including righting the Sit-on-Top kayak and completing a water based remount.

  • An understanding of the Basic Safety Rules of canoeing.
  • An understanding of the correct use of Sit-on-Top back rests and knee straps.

Course Documents