Sea Kayak Level-1 Skills

This course is conducted in slightly rougher water than Basic Kayak, aiming to develop the paddler’s comfort in class 1 waters. There is a strong focus on re-entry techniques as well as the skills required to safely plan and execute a day trip with friends (for example, navigation and route planning, weather interpretation, proper clothing/gear.)

General Learning Outcome

Upon successful completion of the course, the participant will be able to confidently paddle in class 1 conditions in the company of one or more paddlers with similar skills and knowledge. The paddler should be self-reliant yet an asset to the group and an active participant, willing and able to assist others if needed. A Level-1 paddler should be taking on more of a leadership role, especially with group go or no go type decisions.

Course Details

Prerequisites

Skills Certification

Paddle Canada Basic Kayak skills certification or equivalent skill and knowledge at the discretion of the course director.

Paddling Experience

Five kayaking excursions (2 or 3 hours) in class 0 conditions.

Can execute a controlled wet exit in class 0 conditions.

Can perform a simple assisted re-entry in class 0 conditions.

Minimum Course Length

16 hours of instruction (2 days) with a minimum of 10 hours of instruction on the water.

Class Ratio

1 instructor:6 participants

1 instructor+1 assistant:8 participants

Minimum Staff and Certification

One Level-1 Instructor is required to teach this course.

Any assistants must be at least Basic Kayak Instructors.

Environmental Conditions and Sea State

Conditions should not exceed coastal waters and/or currents class 1 water. Please see Water Class Definitions for a specific description of all water classifications.

Teaching Notes

Suggested teaching times listed are intended to be used as a resource for new instructors as well as help experienced instructors understand how much emphasis should be on each topic. Instructors can use their discretion to shorten or lengthen suggested times as they see fit.

Participant Assessment

Assessment at Level-1 occurs throughout the program as the instructor observes the participants’ performance of each skill and overall development as a paddler.

A skills checklist is available for this level and instructors are encouraged to use it to assist in both decision making and communication about a student’s progress. Refer to Assessment Guidelines for Skills Courses for details on pass/fail guidelines.

Sea Kayak Level-1 Skills Summary

Re-entry Skills

• Solo Re-entry
• Assisted Re-entry
• Towing

Knowledge

• Equipment and Equipment Care
• Communication
• Route Planning and Basic Navigation Techniques
• Half-day Kayak Journey
• Weather
• Sea State

Paddling Skills

• Launching and Landing
• Forward Stroke
• Stopping
• Reverse Stroke
• Sweep Strokes
• Draw Stroke
• Low Brace Recovery
• Stern Rudder: Draw and Pry
• Edge Control

Re-entry Skills

Typically, the re-entry skills portion of Level-1 can be taught in about 2.5-3 hours.

Solo Re-entry

The participant will wet exit and re-enter a kayak in deep water without the assistance of another paddler.

General Description

The re-entry is complete when the excess water is removed from the cockpit, the swimmer is back in the boat, the spray skirt is reattached, and the paddler has regained sufficient stability to continue paddling effectively.

Teaching Notes

The spray skirt must be in place during the capsize.

Aids such as a paddle float may be used.

While there is no specific maximum time a participant can take, they should be encouraged to move quickly and confidently to complete the exercise without rushing.

Assisted Re-entry

The participant will:

• wet exit then re-enter the kayak with assistance from another paddler while in deep water,
• demonstrate as both swimmer and assistant,
• have the opportunity to practice both the T-rescue and the raft, re-enter and pump techniques, and
• understand the differences between the re-entry of a single and a double kayak.

Use of Re-entry Aids

Paddle Canada is committed to inclusive, skill-focused leaning for paddlers of all body types and abilities. Re-entry aids such as paddle floats, stirrups, and other tools are welcome and encouraged in all courses, at any level. These tools do not need special permission to be used and using them does not prevent a participant from passing. They should, however, be used competently and in a way that that matches the skill level being taught.

General Description

The re-entry is complete when the excess water is removed from the cockpit, the swimmer is back in the boat, the spray skirt is reattached, and the paddler has regained sufficient stability to continue paddling effectively.

Teaching Notes

While there is no specific maximum time participants can take for assisted re-entries, they should be encouraged to move quickly and confidently to get back in their kayaks without rushing.

The spray skirt must be in place during the capsize.

Aids such as a stirrup may be used.

Towing

The participant will demonstrate a simple contact tow without the use of a towline for approximately 25 meters.

Paddling Skills

Launching and Landing

The participant will:

• launch and land a kayak at each of a beach and/or a low dock, and
• demonstrate the proper body mechanics to lift and carry a kayak with a partner to prevent injury.

Teaching Note

To help prevent potential injury, participants should be encouraged to always carry a kayak with two people.

Forward Stroke

The participant will:

• demonstrate efficient forward paddling, with good speed and control over 200 metres.
• paddle forward in a straight line without the aid of a rudder or skeg,
• show upright posture and effective torso rotation, and
• add edge to help maintain course.

General Description

The blade should enter the water at or near the toes, be fully submerged and leave the water at or just past the hips.

The propulsion stage of the stroke is short and should end just past the hips.

Stopping

The participant will travel at a moderate speed, and then stop the kayak within 4 strokes (2 on each side) without changing heading.

Reverse Stroke

The participant will:

• demonstrate controlled reverse paddling with edging while looking back for a clear and safe route, and
• demonstrate effective torso rotation.

Sweep Strokes

The participant will:

• start from a static position and use a series of forward and reverse sweeps to pivot the kayak 360 degrees in both directions,
• turn the kayak with a forward (or reverse) sweep stroke and edging while moving with speed,
• show efficient placement of the paddle and demonstrate unwinding of the trunk, and
• participants will attempt to push with their lower body towards the direction of travel.

Teaching Note

New paddlers tend to watch or stare at their paddle while doing a sweep stroke. Encourage them to keep their eyes up and to look where they are going.

Draw Stroke

The participant will:

• move the kayak sideways 3 metres using the pulling draw stroke from a static start,
• move the kayak sideways 3 metres using the sculling draw stroke from a static start,
• use either a pulling draw or sculling draw, move the kayak on a diagonal (forwards or reverse and sideways at the same time) from a static start, and
• demonstrate draw strokes with a near vertical paddle shaft and effective torso rotation.

Low Brace Recovery

The participant will demonstrate correct technique to prevent a capsize with a low brace recovery.

Teaching Note

Emphasis should be placed on proper body mechanics to prevent shoulder injury: elbow above wrist, back of blade on the water, hip flick/leg drive to regain balance.

Stern Rudder: Draw and Pry

The participant will:

• use stern rudder strokes to turn the kayak in calm conditions
  • including use of a stern rudder in neutral to maintain direction,
  • use of a stern pry,
  • use of a stern draw,
• demonstrate effective torso rotation while also looking forward for solid paddle placement,
• attempt to apply appropriate edging for assistance in turning, and
• will understand the best environmental conditions to apply this stroke (for example turning downwind, or to keep going straight on small following waves).

General Description

Paddle straight and rotate the torso, holding the paddle over the water parallel to the kayak, drop the rear blade into the water in a neutral position to help maintain direction.

Initiate a pry by rotating your wrists to gently rotate the top of the blade away from the kayak. At the same time, and with a minimum loss of forward momentum, lightly pull the top blade towards the kayak and push the bottom blade away from the kayak. These movements will build up pressure against the non-power face of the blade and cause the stern of the kayak to move (or pry) away from the blade.

Initiate a draw by rotating your wrists to gently rotate the top of the blade towards the kayak. At the same time, and with a minimum loss of forward momentum, lightly push the top blade away from the kayak and pull the bottom blade towards the kayak. These movements will build up pressure against the power face of the blade and cause the stern of the kayak to move (or draw) towards the blade.

Teaching Notes

Edging should be engaged to assist in turning. For bodies with less flexibility focusing on the blade angle will help compensate for reduced torso rotation.

These strokes should be introduced and practiced in calm water first and students can experiment with adjusting their blade so the power face catches the water and the non-power face catches the water.

After understanding the concept of both the draw and the pry paddlers can attempt to paddle downwind on small waves, focusing on a target and applying both strokes.

Edge Control

The participant will:

• demonstrate confident edge control (on both sides) that assists turning,
• hold the edge consistently throughout the turn,
• maintain course using edging to correct boat heading as needed, and
• begin to intentionally incorporate edging into their strokes and should be gaining confidence with this skill.

Knowledge

The extent of knowledge required for safe paddling at this level is governed by class 1 conditions. Activities and topics should be structured in the context of a daytrip with a group of peers of similar kayaking skill level. The content noted throughout this section is not exhaustive and is provided as a guide to the nature and extent of knowledge necessary for safe and enjoyable paddling in class 1 conditions.

Equipment and Equipment Care

The participant will:

• state the key features, attributes, and care of paddling equipment, including:
  • sea kayak, paddle, and spray skirt designs as well as bailing devices,
  • lifejackets and paddling clothing,
  • equipment required by Transport Canada,
  • additional safety equipment necessary for sea kayaking (beyond Transport Canada regulations), and
  • the purpose and application of both a rudder and a skeg.
• demonstrate how to outfit a sea kayak for proper fit and comfort including adjustment of foot pegs, backband, and thigh braces,
• demonstrate knowledge of different boat shapes and their effect on the kayak in the water, and
• organize gear and packing for a day-long outing with a focus on choosing gear needed to participate safely and waterproofing techniques as necessary.

Teaching Note

Typically, the equipment and equipment care topics can be accomplished in about 20 to 30 minutes.

Communication

The participant will:

• use of various types of signals within the paddling group (for example, hand, paddle and sound),
• outline how one could summon help if needed using various signaling and communication methods including cell phones, VHF radio, and flares,
• understand the importance of knowing the best communication tools to use based on the paddling location and the situational needs, and
• identify the strengths and weaknesses of a variety of communication tools.

Teaching Note

Typically, communication methods can be accomplished in about 15-20 minutes.

Route Planning and Basic Navigation Techniques

The participant will:

• describe and use the concepts of basic nautical navigation needed for a safe day trip including piloting, handrails, backstops, time, distance, speed, and direction, and
• use a chart or topographic map to plan an appropriate day trip as well as follow their route during said day trip and be prepared to identify their position when asked.

Teaching Note

Typically, route planning and navigation at this level can be accomplished in about one hour with ongoing learning reinforcement throughout the day trip.

Half-day Kayak Journey

The participant will:

• go on a minimum ½ day kayak journey, and
• apply day tripping skills covered in Level-1 in the context of an actual short journey.

Teaching Note

The total day trip distance will be dictated by the environmental conditions and participant’s needs.

Weather

The participant will:

• demonstrate knowledge of basic weather concepts such as wind direction and wind speed and their effects on navigation and sea state,
• state the influence of weather on a kayaker on a day-long excursion,
• be familiar with the different sources of weather information available appropriate to where they will be paddling, and
• be aware of the importance of getting a weather forecast in relation to risk management.

Teaching Note

Typically, weather at this level can be accomplished in about 20 minutes.

Sea State

The participant will:

• state how waves form in terms of fetch, wind strength and basic shoreline effects, and
• be aware of local tools available for predicting water conditions that will be encountered on a day trip (tide tables, river, or lake levels).

Risk Assessment and Mitigation

The participant will:

• apply a risk assessment framework for route planning and simple incident response,
• review the concepts of hazards, risk, exposure, vulnerability, mitigation, and benefits,
• demonstrate ability to plan and manage risks in a day-long journey with peers in class 1 conditions,
• create a float plan and explain its importance in helping to manage risk, and
• respond effectively to a simple on-water scenario as an active member of the responding group.

Teaching Notes

While an introduction to risk assessment can typically be accomplished in 20-30 minutes, various elements should also be integrated into other sections of the course, which will extend the estimated time.

See Risk Assessment and Mitigation Frameworks for examples of various risk assessment frameworks and other resources.

Cold Issues and Sun Safety

The participant will:

• explain the cause of hypothermia,
• identify symptoms of hypothermia,
• outline basic treatment for hypothermia,
• give examples of proper thermal clothing choices for weather and water temperature, and
• outline the positive effects of sun safety clothing, including hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

Teaching Notes

Typically, topics around cold issues and sun safety can be accomplished in about 15 minutes.

Learn more about sun safety.

Vehicle Boat Tie Down

The participant will:

• demonstrate safe methods for lifting and lowering a kayak off the roof of a vehicle, and
• demonstrate various methods of tying a sea kayak on the roof of a vehicle for both racks and foam blocks.

Impact of Kayakers on the Environment

The participant will:

• give examples of the negative impact kayakers have on the local environment and how best these can be mitigated, and
• state the core principles of Leave No Trace practices.

Teaching Notes

Topics pertinent to the location of the course should be focused on, including the paddler’s ability to easily disturb wildlife (especially any local species at risk) and damage done to habitat by traveling over and along shorelines.

Typically, this topic can be accomplished in about 10-15 minutes.

See Resources for Sustainable Camping and Paddling for further learning.

History and Heritage

The participant will participate in a brief discussion on the history of the kayak.

Teaching Notes

An excellent opportunity to talk about history and heritage is when the group is out paddling on a mini journey.

Typically, this topic can be accomplished in about 10-15 minutes.

See Kayak History and Heritage Resources for an extensive list of online resources to help with research.

Kayaking Community and Resources

The participant will:

• be made aware of local kayaking community (clubs, outfitters, provincial paddling associations, etc.) as well as get information on how to get connected, and
• be made aware of other sources of information such as books, videos, websites for further research and learning.