Image: Three kayakers paddle on a calm river. The closest paddler is in a Sit-On-Top craft. The background paddlers are in closed cockpit kayaks

General Aims

The Level 3 Sit-on-Top River Kayak Skills Award aims to enable participants to

  • Kayak safely and competently on Grade 2 Moving water, as a member of a group of peers.

  • Be able to safety plan and carry out a trip in a moving-water environment considering all relevant factors.
  • For level 3 skills holders U-18 it is recommended that these paddlers be supervised by a person over the age of 18 who has suitable experience.
  • Be able to carry out basic safety and rescue techniques with the assistance of another member of the group or the person in the water.

Attendance Requirements

Requirements for attending a Level 3 Sit on Top 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.

  • Participants for this award must be at least 12 years of age.
  • U18 Level 3 skills paddlers should be appropriately supervised by a person who is over 18 and who has suitable experience.

Requirements

Participants must successfully explain and demonstrate the following techniques and skills at a level higher than that required for the Level 2 Sit-on-Top River Kayak Skills Award:

  • Forward Paddle, Reverse Paddle, Stopping.
  • Forward Sweep, Reverse Sweep and a combination of Forward and Reverse Sweep.
  • Draw Stroke
  • Low Brace
  • Stern Rudder

  • Mount & Dismount
  • Tilting
  • Ferry Gliding
  • Breaking In
  • Breaking Out

  • Capsize Drill
  • Self-rescue following a capsize drill in deep water, including righting the Sit-on-Top and completing a water based remount without assistance.
  • Assisted Rescue and Self Rescue. Using a throw bag to rescue a swimmer, both as rescuer and swimmer.

  • Knowledge of Safety Rules
  • An understanding of the use of Offensive & Defensive Swimming
  • An understanding of Eddies, Standing Waves, V Waves, Stoppers, and Easy River Routes i.e. the main flow down a Grade II rapid
  • An understanding of good control (i.e. responding to various signals and commands)

Course Documents