Flatwater Kayak Skills

Rescue techniques at this level incorporate the use of a paddling partner and it is essential for all Flatwater Skills certified paddlers to travel on the water with others who have been trained in the techniques of assisted rescues.

General Learning Outcome

Upon completion of the course, participants should understand basic paddle strokes, general flatwater safety and be able to paddle as part of a group in flatwater.

Prerequisites

Skills Certification

None.

Kayak Type

Kayaks must have sufficient buoyancy, float bag/bulkhead, to float after a wet exit.

Minimum Course Length

8 hours (1 day) minimum.

Class Ratio

1 Instructor:6 participants

Minimum Staff and Certification

One Flatwater River Kayak Instructor.

Environmental Conditions

Courses should be taught on flatwater on a lake, or in a pool. If taught on a lake there should be sufficient shelter to provide minimal to no waves.

Participant Assessment

Activities focus on individual safety and comfortable paddling in a river kayak. While there is a great deal to learn at this level, the activities should concentrate on personal progress and an awareness of the need for future learning. Paddlers should leave the course encouraged to continue their learning and aware of their individual limitations. Inability to perform any of the safety skills results in course failure.

Safety Skills

Wet Exit

With gear on, the participant will:

• paddle in hand and spray skirt attached completely capsize, exit the kayak in a controlled manner and retain awareness of equipment, and location, and
• tap the underside of their boat three times and move their arms back and forth to simulate waiting for a bow rescue.

Teaching Notes

The wet exit can be one of the most stressful skills you will teach, take extra time, and teach it as a progression for those who are nervous, start with the skirt off and nothing in their hands, and move forward towards the final evolution as they are comfortable.

Failure to perform a controlled wet exit is a skill failure, as it is critical to safety on the river.

Rafting

The participant will demonstrate the ability to raft up into a group upon request using paddle strokes learned during the course. This should be done in flat water.

Lifting and Carrying a Kayak

The participant will demonstrate the ability to safely lift and carry a whitewater kayak from a car/boat storage to the put in. They should be careful of slippery ground near the lakes edge, and aware of where their boat is when carrying, so as to not injury other participants.

Self-Rescue

• While out of reach of land, and in water of adequate depth to be considered safe, the participant will voluntarily tip over and wet exit their kayak.
• Without losing contact with the kayak, move to the end of the boat, and assume the ready position. The participant will then swim the kayak into shore, remaining at the end at all times, and not stand up until safe to do so.
• When safely at the shore, the participant will empty the boat.

Assisted Rescue

In deep water, the participant will:

• wet exit and attempt to re-enter the kayak with assistance from another paddler. The capsize must be natural with spray deck in place. If unable to re-enter the boat, the rescuer must tow the boat and swimmer to the shoreline. Rescue is complete when the paddler is able to reach the shoreline to finish emptying the boat, and
• perform this skill as both swimmer and rescuer.

Teaching Notes

Depending on the size and design of the kayak, the participant may not be able to re-enter the boat even if it is completely empty of water. This exercise is meant to make participants aware of the limitations of some river kayaks.

Paddling Skills

Edging

The participant will:

• paddle on edge for 5 meters while maintaining their edge; this should be done on each edge, and
• understand the use of edging in a river environment, its effect on the boat and how it interacts with the river.

Balance and Posture

The participant will understand their posture and weighting and its effect on the kayak. If the size of the kayak and participant allows, have them demonstrate using body position shift and edging to rotate the kayak without the use of a paddle (washing machine).

Forward and Reverse Strokes

The participant will:

• show an effective forward stroke that moves the kayak in a general straight line for an extended period of time, shorter times are allowed for shorter boats with flat plaining hulls which resist going straight,
• effectively use their torso, back and shoulders to execute the paddle stroke, minimizing dependence on their arms, and
• use proper blade position relative to the water and the boat to maximize effect of each individual stroke.

Teaching Note

Emphasis fewer and slower, more effective strokes. Start at a slow stroke per minute cadence, and have participants practice increasing without losing effectiveness.

Sweep Stroke

The participant will demonstrate using the sweep stroke to spin the kayak 360 degrees in each direction.

Draw Stroke

The participant will:

• demonstrate effective draws to move the boat to each side no minimum distance is required, but strokes should be effective and use proper body and paddle position, and
• experiment with diagonal draws.

Knowledge

River Hazards and River Reading

The participant will understand and be able to identify the following hazards in a river including (but not exclusive to) low head dams (aka weirs), strainers, undercuts, river debris, ice and pin hazards.

Teaching Note

These features will not be present where you are paddling, if possible, show them by visiting other parts of the river, or show pictures/videos. The objective is to ensure participants can understand and avoid these hazards before they visit a river. The descriptions should be brief at this level.

Boat Design and Outfitting and Equipment

The participant will:

• understand the parts of a kayak, and what structural and outfitting components of the river kayak are critical for safety, including but not limited to float bags and centre pillars, and
• understand paddle and blade design so that they can select a paddle that fits for them and meets the requirements of their paddling environment.

Teaching Note

Discussions should include information on how to care for the various pieces of equipment, and how to inspect and identify potential issues before they become a problem.

Clothing

The participant will understand different types of clothing and the thermal properties of them, as well as what clothing should be worn based on water and air temperature.

Teaching Note

As part of this discussion, talk about cold shock and hypothermia as it relates to kayaking in cold water.

Safety Equipment

The participant will understand the Transport Canada safety equipment requirements, and the capabilities or limitations of their own personal equipment through use during the program.

Trip Planning

The participant will demonstrate understanding of the equipment they should bring with them based on the length of the trip, the conditions, and the remoteness of the river they will be paddling. This includes, but is not limited to, first aid, rescue communication equipment such as a Spot or inReach, food and emergency shelters.