General Aims

The Level 2 Kayak Skills Award aims to enable participants to:

โ€ข Kayak safely and competently on flat water, Grade I rivers, very sheltered coastal areas as a member of a group of peers.

โ€ข Be able to carry out basic safety techniques with the assistance of another member of the group or the person in the water.

โ€ข Be able to safety plan and carry out a trip in a flat-water environment considering all relevant factors.

โ€ข For level two skills holders U-18 it is recommended that these paddlers be supervised by a person over the age of 18 who has suitable experience.

Attendance Requirements

Requirements for attending a Level 2 Kayak Skills assessment:

  • Candidates should be familiar with all aspects of theory and should be able to verbally answer questions on theory aspects of the award.
  • The Level 2 Kayak Skills Award is not a compulsory prerequisite for any subsequent Canoeing Ireland skills awards.
  • No age restriction applies to this award.
  • U18 Level 2 skills paddlers should be appropriately supervised by a person who is over 18 and who has suitable experience.

Requirements

To obtain the Level 2 Kayak Skills Award, a participant must successfully explain

and/or demonstrate the following techniques and skills:

โ€ข Forward

โ€ข Reverse

โ€ข Emergency Stop

โ€ข An ability to turn the canoe through 360 degrees in both directions using a combination of Forward and Reverse Sweep Strokes. Or other appropriate strokes

โ€ข Simple Draw Stroke

โ€ข Low Brace

โ€ข Entry and exit of the kayak

โ€ข Edging/ leaning

โ€ข Turning on the moving

โ€ข Edging/ leaning while moving

โ€ข Capsize drill.

โ€ข T rescue or paddle presentation

โ€ข X rescue (as a swimmer)

โ€ข X rescue (as a rescuer with assistance)

โ€ข Simple tow (without equipment)

โ€ข Knowledge of (can talk through) a tow using equipment.

โ€ข Be able to list the basic safety rules of canoeing.

โ€ข Describe how to contact the emergency services.

โ€ข Be able to outline weather and environmental factors that affect a kayaking session including be able to identify the following: General weather outlook, wind direction and speed, air temperature and water conditions for in land water or coastal water.

โ€ข Be able to list the aspects of good group management and identify, explain, and give examples of the CLAP concept of group management.

โ€ข Be able to list the most important factors to trip planning

Course Documents

Assessment Guidelines
Equipment List