General Aims

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

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

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

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

• 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:

• Forward

• Reverse

• Emergency Stop

• 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

• Simple Draw Stroke

• Low Brace

• Entry and exit of the kayak

• Edging/ leaning

• Turning on the moving

• Edging/ leaning while moving

• Capsize drill.

• T rescue or paddle presentation

• X rescue (as a swimmer)

• X rescue (as a rescuer with assistance)

• Simple tow (without equipment)

• Knowledge of (can talk through) a tow using equipment.

• Be able to list the basic safety rules of canoeing.

• Describe how to contact the emergency services.

• 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.

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

• Be able to list the most important factors to trip planning

Course Documents