River 1 Stand Up Paddleboard Skills

This course introduces the novice to paddling a paddleboard on easy (Class I) rivers and surfing on standing waves. The emphasis is on mastering the fundamentals of river paddling, along with a strong grounding in water safety and safe paddleboard practices. See the descriptions in the International River Classification System section.

Successful participants will receive the River 1 Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Skills award.

Prerequisites

Skills Certification

Flatwater 2 SUP course or equivalent experience.

Paddling Experience

Paddlers need time and practice to sufficiently develop the skills learned in the prerequisite course before registering in this course.

Minimum Course Length

6-8 hours, or more at instructor’s discretion.

Class Ratio

1 instructor:6 participants

1 instructor+1 assistant:8 participants

1 instructor+2 assistants:10 participants

Minimum Staff and Certification

A minimum of one River 1 SUP Instructor is required to teach this curse.

A Flatwater 2 SUP Instructor with River 1 SUP Skills certification can assist.

Course Location

Class I river.

Good eddies and a standing wave.

Environmental Conditions

Class-0 rapids. See Water and River Classifications for Lakes and Oceans.

Participant Assessment

Evaluation is ongoing throughout the course. Participants can be evaluated through oral test, practical evaluation, written test, and general observation. Participants will be graded pass, weak, or fail in each category. Pass is required on all categories, but one weak skill may be accepted at the discretion of the instructor.

Learning Outcomes

Safety Skills

Safety skills concentrate on the safety of the individual paddler while paddling on Class I rivers. Participants should demonstrate the following:

Falling Off Safely

The participant will demonstrate confidence falling off the board safely while maintaining control of the board and paddle. Falling flat to avoid foot entrapment.

Teaching Note

Instructor may lead a discussion regarding the appropriate use of body armour.

Remounting the Board

The participant will remount the board quickly while maintaining control of the paddle and not touching the river bottom.

Use of a Leash

The participant will demonstrate knowledge of the benefits and dangers associated with use of a quick-release leash in river environments and making informed judgments regarding their use in each situation.

River Signals

The participant will:

• demonstrate knowledge and application of the internationally recognized river signals: stop, help, all clear, okay, and directional signals, and their appropriate use, and
• demonstrate where and how whistles can be used as safety devices.

River Hazards

The participant will demonstrate knowledge of river hazards common to Class I rivers, including rocks, waves, shallows, bridge abutments, sweepers, and undercuts.

Throwbag Rescue

The participant will:

• demonstrate how to stuff a throwbag, care for a throwbag, and 3 different throwbag tosses, and
• rescue a swimmer in rapid floating 10 to 15 metres from shore 2 out of 3 times using a throw of their preference.

Paddling Skills

The focus is to introduce an understanding of the essentials of manoeuvring and control of the paddleboard in the river environment. Successful completion of the River 1 skills course indicates that the participant is competent to paddle on Class I rivers.

Paddling from a Kneeling, Sitting or Straddling Position

The participant will demonstrate understanding of the advantages to using a kneeling, sitting, or straddling position when extra stability is required.

Foot Positions

The participant will demonstrate various foot positions and their appropriate use in various situations on the river.

Edging

The participant will demonstrate edging the paddleboard and will paddle a minimum of 5 metres while on to each edge.

Eddy Turns

The participant will initiate and execute a turn from the main current into an eddy and from an eddy into the main current.

Entering an Eddy (Eddy Out)

The participant will approach the eddy line at the proper angle of entry (point down and in), enter the eddy an appropriate distance from the obstacle creating the eddy, have good forward momentum and show proper and adequate edging in relation to the current.

Leaving an Eddy (Peel Out)

The participant will use good momentum, angle, and edging (point up and out) to peel out of an eddy.

Teaching Note

The arc of the turn will be dependent on downriver circumstances; however, a variety of sharp and wide-angle turns should be performed.

Front Ferry

The participant will demonstrate a front ferry beginning in an eddy with the paddleboard facing upriver and move the board across the main current of the river and back. The board will be pointing upriver throughout this manoeuvre. The board will show good edging to its downriver side, keep an appropriate angle in relation to the current and maintain a constant speed.

Surfing

The participant will surf a small wave (ideally located next to an eddy) using appropriate strokes and foot positioning to:

• keep the paddleboard pointed straight upstream,
• move back and forth on the wave with control,
• exit the wave with intention, and
• demonstrate an understanding of how the surf works.

Bow Draw

The participant will demonstrate the ability to use the bow draw to turn the nose of their board and incorporate it into their forward strokes to paddle in a straight line while only paddling on one side.

Knowledge

The extent of knowledge required for safe paddling at this level is governed by the conditions of the teaching site. The following list is not exhaustive and is provided here as a guide to the nature and extent of knowledge participants need for safe and enjoyable paddling in a river environment.

River Specific Gear

The participant will demonstrate knowledge of:

• whitewater paddling clothing that offers protection from the environment (for example, sun, wind, etc.), the water (for example, wet, cold, etc.), and the surroundings (for example, slippery shorelines, instream obstacles, etc.) including suitable headwear, upper body clothing, lower body clothing, footwear, and accessories, and
• board shapes, paddle designs and fins specific to river paddleboarding.

Safety Equipment

The participant will demonstrate knowledge of government regulations as they apply to stand up paddleboards, as well as other equipment that enhances personal safety.

River Reading

The participant will describe various whitewater hazards of a Class I rapid, describe the route of choice through the rapid, and explain why the route was chosen.