The Sit-on-Top Flat Water Skills Award aims to enable participants to:

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

Requirements:

Participant must successfully demonstrate the following techniques and skills

An understanding of the Basic Safety Rules of canoeing.

An understanding of the correct use of Sit-on-Top back rests and knee straps.

An ability to Mount and Dismount a Sit-on-Top correctly from the bank.

 Forward Paddle, Reverse Paddle, and 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.

A water based Capsize Drill and dismount from the Sit-on-Top

Self rescue following a capsize drill, including righting the Sit-on-Top and completing a water based remount.

Assessment

During an assessment all techniques and skills must be demonstrated to an assessor's satisfaction in order to achieve this award.

No part of an assessment can be taken in a swimming pool. All assessment criteria must be demonstrated outdoors on flat water (i.e. water of Grade I difficulty).

It may not be feasible for a junior or disabled person to assist fully in the self rescue - such candidates should, however, have a full understanding of the correct sequence of each of the required rescues and have some role to fulfil in the completion of these rescues.

All strokes should be demonstrated in relevant situations i.e. use of a simple draw stroke to manoeuvre the Sit-on-Top to the bank. Strokes should be demonstrated on both sides of the Sit-on-Top.

The Sit-on-Top Flat Water Skills Award is not a compulsory pre requisite for any subsequent Canoeing Ireland skills awards.

No age restriction applies to this award.

                Assessment Guidelines

The Sit-on-Top Flat Water Skills Award can only be assessed by a currently registered Canoeing Ireland Kayak Instructor who is at minimum a Level 2 Kayak Instructor.

 The assessment will be carried out with a maximum of six candidates to one assessor. However, a ratio of 4:1 is preferable.

All required assessment rescues are kept until the end of an assessment.

Generally guidelines will be given, should a candidate fail an assessment, as to the areas that they need to improve on.

                Notes for Sit-on-Top Flat Water Skills Awards

Safety Rules of Canoeing

You must be able to swim.

You must always wear a CE approved buoyancy aid.

You must always ensure that the Sit-on-Top has adequate buoyancy.

You must never canoe alone.

Mount and Dismount

Mount and dismount with or without the use of a paddle is acceptable, depending on what is most appropriate to the situation.

Forward Paddling

Some directional instability is allowed for. This should not include complete loss of forward movement or continuous veering from side to side, aiming for a point/gap as a task.

Reverse Paddling

Some directional instability is allowed for. This should not include complete loss of reverse movement or continuous veering from side to side.  A wider stroke than that used for forward paddling is permissible.

Stopping

Stopping should occur in a straight line allowing some leeway, but not veering from side to side. Ability to stop should be demonstrated while paddling forward and in reverse.

Forward Sweep Stroke

There should be full arm extension. The sweep should be initiated at the front of the Sit-on-Top and continued to stern with trunk rotation evident.

Reverse Sweep Stroke

Trunk rotation to place paddle in the water at stern should be evident. There should be continuous sweep to the front of the Sit-on-Top as the trunk unwinds. There should be full arm extension throughout.

Draw Stroke

The paddle should remain in the water throughout. Some slight bow or stern swing is acceptable.  An ability to maintain the paddle shaft vertical, should be evident. Some body rotation towards the paddling side should be evident.

Capsize Drill

The water based capsize and dismount from the Sit-on-Top should be carried out in water of sufficient depth adjacent to the shore/bank. This should be followed by a self rescue, righting the overturned Sit-on-Top and mounting it from one of the extremities (horse style).  The paddle should be retained.  The instructor may help in capsizing the Sit-on-Top.

The Sit-on-Top River Skills Award aims to enable participants to:

• Paddle safely and competently on rivers up to and including Grade II rivers as a member of a group of peers
• Be capable of negotiating obstacles likely to be encountered on Grade II rivers
• Assist in rescues

Requirements:

Participants must successfully explain and demonstrate the following techniques and skills at a level higher than that required for the Sit-on-Top Flat Water Skills Award.

Strokes

Forward Paddle, Reverse Paddle, Stopping.

Forward Sweep, Reverse Sweep and a combination of Forward and Reverse Sweep.

Draw Stroke

Low Brace

Stern Rudder

Techniques

Mount & Dismount

Tilting

Ferry Gliding

Breaking In

Breaking Out

Rescues

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.

Theory

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)

Assessment

During an assessment a participant must explain and demonstrate all techniques and skills at a level higher than that required for the Sit-on-Top Flat Water Skills Award. All techniques, skills and rescues must be demonstrated to an assessor's satisfaction in order to achieve this award.

No part of an assessment can be taken in a swimming pool. All assessment criteria must be demonstrated outdoors on water of Grade II difficulty as part of a river trip.

All strokes should be demonstrated in relevant situations i.e ferry gliding across a flow. Strokes should be demonstrated on both sides of the Sit-on-Top.

Generally, required assessment rescues will be kept until the end of an assessment.

Participants for this award must be at least 12 years of age.

                Assessment Guidelines

It is recommended that a Sit-on-Top River Skills Award is assessed by a Instructor other than the Instructor who ran the training course leading to assessment

The Sit-on-Top River Skills Award can only be assessed by a currently registered Canoeing Ireland Instructor who is, at minimum , a Level 3 Kayak Instructor

The assessment can be carried out with a maximum of six candidates to one assessor, however, a ratio of 4:1 is preferable.

Generally guidelines will be given, should a candidate fail an assessment, as to the areas that they need to improve on.

                Notes for Sit-on-Top River Skills Awards

Safety Rules of Canoeing

You must be able to swim.

You must always wear a CE approved buoyancy aid.

You must always ensure that the Sit-on-Top has adequate buoyancy.

You must never canoe alone.

Mount & Dismount

Can be carried out with or without the use of paddles, depending on what is most appropriate to the situation.

Forward & Reverse Paddling

The correct seating position, good trunk rotation, correct width of paddle grip, sufficient power to paddle against the current while the keeping the Sit-on-Top straight.

Some directional instability is allowed for. This should not include complete loss of forward movement or continuous veering from side to side, aiming for a point/gap as a task.

Stopping

Stopping should occur in a straight line allowing some leeway, but not veering from side to side. Ability to stop should be demonstrated while paddling forward and in reverse.

Forward & Reverse Sweep Stroke

Candidates should demonstrate effective use of Sweep Strokes. There should be good arm extension throughout. Good trunk rotation should be evident.

Draw Stroke

Paddle near vertical, blade well covered, Sit-on-Top moving in a straight line sideways for at least 5 metres. The blade must remain in the water throughout. Good body rotation towards the paddling side should be evident.

Low Brace Support

The participant must be sufficiently tilting the Sit-on-Top for water to reach the top side of the boat. A good push down with the elbows above paddle and associated hip rotation should be evident.

Tilting

Demonstrate as a skill that assists in the turning of the Sit-on-Top.

Stern Rudder

Performed while on the move, a push pull action should be exhibited as well as good trunk rotation.

Capsize Drill

The water based capsize and dismount from the Sit-on-Top should be carried out in water of sufficient depth adjacent to the shore/bank. This should be followed by a self rescue, righting the overturned Sit-on-Top and mounting it from one of the extremities (horse style).  The paddle should be retained.  The instructor may help in capsizing the Sit-on-Top.