The Sit-on-Top Flat Water Skills Award aims to enable participants to:
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:
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.
The Sit-on-Top Sea Skills Award aims to enable participants to:
Requirements:
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
Paddling in a following wind, beam winds and head winds
Paddling into, bracing and turning in small surf. (1 Foot)
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.
Theory
Knowledge of Safety Rules
Record and interpret a marine weather forecast
Read a tide table to ascertain the time of high-water.
An understanding of staying with your boat in the event of a capsize at sea.
An understanding of the effects of the wind on the sea with particular reference to the danger of offshore winds. The candidate should show an understanding of what is meant by a leeshore. dumping surf, riptides and tide races.
An understanding of good control (i.e. responding to various signals and commands)
An ability to recognize several of the significant flora and fauna in the seashore environment.
Assessment for the Sit-on-Top Sea Skills Award
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 may be taken in a swimming pool. All assessment criteria must be demonstrated outdoors on non-tidal waters in winds up to a limit of force three.
All strokes should be demonstrated in relevant situations i.e. low brace against a small breaking wave at a beach, and 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 Sea Skills Award is assessed by a Instructor other than the Instructor who ran the training course leading to assessment.
The Sit-on-Top Sea Skills Award can only be assessed by a currently registered Canoeing Ireland Instructor who is, at minimum , a Level 3 Sea Kayak Instructor.
The assessment is to be carried out with a maximum of four candidates to one assessor, however, a ratio of 3:1 is preferable.
Should a candidate fail the assessment guidelines should given as to the areas that need to be improved on.
Notes for Sit-on-Top Sea 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 and 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
Using forward and reverse paddling, stopping should be evident within 4 strokes.
Forward and Reverse Sweep Strokes
Candidates should demonstrate effective use of Sweep Strokes on slightly choppy seas. 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.
Sculling Draw
Paddle near vertical, blade covered, Sit-on-Top moving in a straight line sideways for at least 5 metres. Long strokes with efficient blade angle while the Sit-on-Top remains level.
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.
Bow Rudder
In the Bow Rudder the paddler should show excellent posture and the Sit-on-Top should turn effectively.
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.
Paddling in head beam and following winds.
Candidates must demonstrate that they can control their Sit-on-Top in wind conditions up to Force 3.
Rescues
Candidates must act as rescuer and rescuee.
Weather Forecast
A candidate should be able to record that section of the Marine Forecast that is relevant to their geographical area. They should be able to describe what conditions are to be expected on the sea in Forces of wind from 1 to 5.
Surf Conditions
This aspect of the assessment involves a candidate demonstrating that they can control their Sit-on-Top in sea conditions where there are small waves. If there is no surf present on the day of assessment, sea conditions in up to Force 3 winds will suffice. On no account should candidates by asked to paddle, as part of the assessment, in surf conditions with waves of greater than one foot.
High Tide
The candidate must simply demonstrate that they can ascertain what time high water is at the nearest standard port. They may use newspaper, almanac or local tide guide to get this information. The candidate is not expected to be familiar with secondary ports or how to work out tidal streams etc.