Canoe & Ltd Syllabus

Syllabus January 2011 & Kayak Syllabus

Contents Confidence Routine ...... 4 Eskimo Rolling...... 7 Strokes...... 9 Basic Strokes Article ...... 11 Rescues ...... 13 Rescue Article ...... 15 T Rescue Article ...... 15 Surf Article ...... 17 Sweep Strokes ...... 18 Stern/ rudder draw stroke ...... 19 Work in Progress ...... 20

SYLLABUS

This manual is to be read in conjunction with all other manuals and is designed as a resource for the Operations Manager to start the building process of specific plans for each on water activity.

The primary aim of this manual is to ensure that each Centre runs courses to a similar standard and covers the skills and knowledge outlined, so that consistency is maintained throughout the Canoe & Kayak Licensed group.

Care is needed to ensure that the skills outlined in this Manual are taught in a safe progressional manner.

January 2011 Syllabus 2 | Page

Canoe & Kayak Syllabus

Confidence Routine As this is the starting point for all people getting into it is imperative that all staff appreciate the importance of a well thought out structure to teaching the Confidence Routine. There are many levels going on while teaching this skill and if done correctly the results for the Customer, Instructor and the Canoe & Kayak Centre are great. The customer is often stressed by the idea of capsizing and being caught or trapped under the kayak. This following session has been developed to minimise the customers discomfort and terror while maximising the feeling of achievement and confidence that they can do it.

During the session you are working on; Team work: Buddies. Pair up like minded and size customers. This is often done by talking to the group and saying “we are going to be working in the pool in Buddies, this is done so while one person is learning a new skill, the buddy will be standing beside the person in the kayak and performing the roll of an instructor”. “This has two advantages they are” “1/ that the person in the kayak can only handle so much effort before they will slow down physically. This in turn slows the learning progression, so when you get out of the kayak and take up the teaching roll your muscles can recouperate”. “2/ while teaching someone your mind is picking up lots of detail that while upside down you will not be getting, so when you get back in the kayak those new observations are naturally incorporated into what you are doing”. Camaraderie: While the customers are working in their Buddy pairs, the Instructor circulates around the group teaching each new step to the pair and watching and assisting till the Customer instructing can perform the new roll confidently. The Lead Instructor will give words of encouragement and ask questions rather than give instructions once the customers understand the basic concepts. For Example, Instructor “was it easy to right their kayak” Customer answer “no” Instructor “What do you think your buddy could do to make it easier” Customer answer “lean forward more?” Instructor “yep that will do nicely, well done” This approach builds a relationship and understanding between all parties making for the start of friendship or camaraderie and builds a much deeper understanding of the skills being passed on. Peer pressure: as an Instructor you need to stay well away from this as you are not an equal with the customers and any pressure you put on the customer will be received in a negative way i.e. the customer will feel that they are not achieving to your satisfaction and this starts decay in the customer’s confidence. Encourage the customers to give each other feed back i.e. Instructor “did that pick up feel easy?” Customer “yes”, Instructor “can your buddy improve what they are doing in any way”? customer “no”, Instructor “well done team” When the other customer is in the kayak he/she will be much more receptive and will know that it is a positive learning environment and will feel a good pressure to keep the team working well.

Confidence Building: As each step is taught with the above focus the customers will develop stronger and stronger personal confidence that the things you ask them to do will be achievable and they will be more and more willing to give it a go feeling that the success will come. Personal Achievement: anyone who has been challenged and excelled gains a feeling of achievement, this feeling is life altering for most people and many instructors will talk of people starting of as mice and ending up as lions over a period of time while they are building their kayaking skills and their life skills at the same time. Skills Development: Funny how this is left to the end, the skills development is critical to the end result of a safe kayaker, but unless the other areas are treated as importantly the customer will probably not continue kayaking and so the skills will be wasted any way.

January 2011 Syllabus 3 | Page

Canoe & Kayak Syllabus Confidence Routine One hour duration maximum On Land: Go through a briefing of what we are doing for the next hour including the following points; explain , seat, footrests, bulkheads and methods of lifting boat. Getting in and out of Putting on and taking off from self and boat including getting out without using the Pull Tag. Show how to remove deck if tag missing (punch in, push with knees or grab at neoprene and pull) Check hatches. Buddy up. In the water: Throughout this session, think more about teaching clients to become instructors than as beginners. The instructor needs to position themselves so that at no time they have their back to clients. They must also be able to get to anyone in difficulty quickly. With their buddy standing in the water beside the kayak the kayaker gets into the kayak using the paddle across the back of the kayak and onto the ground, the fingers go into the cockpit and the thumb secures the paddle from moving, the hand closest to the ground holds the paddle shaft allowing the customer to lean gently onto the shaft to gain stability while entering the kayak. Once in the kayak practice again the putting on and removing of the Spray Deck. Now with the buddies holding their kayaking mates, ask for a volunteer to demonstrate the Water Confidence Routine. A volunteer will be among the more confident in the group and hopefully will be a good role model for the group. Take over the buddy’s position and ask the customer to lean forward as far as comfortable holding the hull of the kayak in front. Using the correct hand grip (fingers in the side of the cockpit) lower the customer till their head is on the water. And then with a gentle pull on the hand in the cockpit and a push on the other side of the kayak with your other hand right the kayak. With the customers approval then progressively lower them over further until they are happy capsizing themselves and being picked up. At this stage you need to clearly demonstrate the process of being able to jump on top of the hull of the kayak with your stomach on the hull and reaching over the kayak with one hand for the cockpit rim and then righting the kayak in the normal way.

Once this has been demonstrated then start working with each buddy group to ensure they can right their friend’s kayak before they are left to practice

Work clients through the following: Tap 3 times for rescue, moving gradually to tapping in a sequence around the front, back, side to side of the upturned kayak ending with the Three Tap Rescue and pick up. This will orientate the paddler spending longer underwater.

January 2011 Syllabus 4 | Page

Canoe & Kayak Syllabus

Wet Exits - completely upside down and controlled exit with buddy and instructor watching. A dry pretend run is often a good idea as it lets the paddler think clearly though the process with their eyes closed to give them more of the real feeling. Empty boat - Show everyone how to empty the kayak taking care to point out the risks when it comes to damaging themselves or the pool sides on the sharp/hard parts of the kayak. Ensure that everyone has completed a minimum 6 wet exits before the evening has finished The Instructor should demonstrate the following, using the Sea Kayaking Skill Course syllabus to teach the following; T Rescue X Rescue Paddle float rescue John Wayne entry

At the end of the session the Instructor should demonstrate an Eskimo Roll and talk about how easy it is to learn and how great it is as a tool for letting you try out more things in your new kayak like surfing and river

January 2011 Syllabus 5 | Page

Canoe & Kayak Syllabus

Eskimo Rolling Course Four sessions of One hour duration maximum

A comprehensive course developed to best suit all beginners to learn how to Eskimo roll. Talk though the Four Key elements to Eskimo Rolling

1. Water Confidence, the participant must be confident enough to think clearly underwater for more than 20 seconds. 2. Body, the body must perform the C to C or Hip Flick to right the kayak. 3. Paddle, the paddle must move from the bow of the kayak to the 90-degree mark with the leading edge slightly lifted. This produces lift to paddle as it travels though the water and in turn starts to lift the body, setting up the beginnings of the C to C 4. Fatigue, this is the most common reason for injury and for a loss of confidence and success when learning to Eskimo Roll. Ask customers how many Chin Ups they can do in a row and most will say a couple. Then point out that each attempt at a roll is the same as a chin up and they will start to get the picture. You must limit the number of attempts at rolling to 5 in any five minutes any more and you will start to get negative results and potentially injure the customer.

1. Buddy up like minded and sized customers. 2. Run clients through a Confidence Routine and explain that this is a way of continuing to build confidence and warming up the muscles and joints for the stress that they are going to be under when rolling. 3. Confirm the rescue buddy is holding onto the kayak and can right their partner. Go around one by one on the first go to make sure the partner can pull the boat up. Rolling is about 90% water confidence. Go slowly through the routine and explain that every night they should come down, get changed, grab gear and get straight into the confidence routine. Time how long they stay underwater. Swap over and let the partner have a go.

Hip-flicks and ; quickly run through knee position and how to activate a hip-flick. Use different words, don’t be repetitive. Different words will trigger the roller to doing the hip flick action.

Introduce the paddle, box position when holding the paddle. Pawlatta roll, extend the paddle and show set up position.

Ask the partner to hold the boat half way over. Start the paddle sweep from the front of the boat, around to 90 degrees at hip, pull down on paddle, hip-flick and keep head down! Look for slow graceful movements. Men tend to muscle the roll, work with their paddle to ensure that they feel the roll should be slow and virtually no effort.

If the client has troubled activating the hip flick, work with them by placing hand lightly on their head to keep it down. If they still try to use their arms and throw their head up a method that works well is to get them to lean towards you while you are standing at their right side. Have the boat upside down then get their buddy to bring the kayak upright while they stay leaning towards you. This is conditioning their muscles to feel what they should be doing.

January 2011 Syllabus 6 | Page

Canoe & Kayak Syllabus

Use different words, don’t be repetitive. They may not understand what you are saying. Progress to holding the kayak at ¾ over and try again. Sweep starting from the front of the kayak, on the surface till at the hip, roll the kayak up keep the head down. Try a few times, if failed go back to ½ way. Try a few there then try ¾ over. Now progress to fully inverted. Spend only 5 minutes each in the boat and then swap over. Keep a constant eye on the other rollers.

Instructor is to spend a few minutes with each roller, keep moving around everyone to give them a fair go.

Sessions 2, 3 & 4 go the same way. If rollers are doing very well, they could progress to a shorter hand grip and a boat each. Set up, go over if fail 1st attempt try again, if fail 2nd attempt wet exit.

Try at the end of each session to do some games, rollers get tired & cold very quickly. Rollers also get frustrated if roll is not working. Reassure them that this is natural and sometimes you just have a bad day. Fatigue plays a major role in performance.

From there try to encourage them to try a surfing clinic or further club trips and so on. Drop in casually to the pool to keep your skills up.

Equipment Talk Remember your clients are on the course to gain knowledge. This includes product knowledge for purchasing equipment. Take the clients on a tour of the shop and explain the differences in purpose, performance and cost associated to their area of interest. This will include; sit-on-tops, sea , white water boats. Also go through spray decks, , buoyancy aids, safety equipment, storage bags, wheels and any other accessories that are relevant.

January 2011 Syllabus 7 | Page

Canoe & Kayak Syllabus

Paddle Strokes Forward Paddling - no rudders

1. Box 8. Top hand punches forward at eye 2. In at toes level 3. Alongside of boat 9. Full extension 4. Out at hips 10. Blade totally immersed 5. Body position - forward and constant 11. Trunk rotation 6. No splash entry 12. Kayak Stable 7. No splash exit 13. Box

Backward Paddling

1. Box 8. No splash exit 2. Back of blade 9. Top hand pulling back at eye level 3. Paddle in at hips 10. Full extension 4. Along-side boat 11. Blade totally immersed 5. Paddle out at toes 12. Trunk rotation 6. Body position forward and constant 13. Kayak stable 7. No splash entry 14. Look where going

Emergency Stop

1. Paddle forward if going backwards, paddle backwards if going forwards 2. Splash water on the first two strokes and by the third stroke start to dig it into the water further. By the fourth stroke the boat should be moving in the opposite direction. 3. Body position forward and constant. 4. Keep paddle low.

Make time to play chicken to test clients’ skill. Stop one boat length away from each other to avoid collision. Practising forward, backward and stopping.

Ask if there are any questions.

Sweep Strokes - Forward and Reverse

1. Box 7. Head facing forward 2. Paddle in fully extended beside boat 8. Kayak level. at the toes 9. Top hand keeps low to spray deck and 3. Half circle away from kayak finish at belly button height. Both 4. Finish at back of kayak hands on same side of boat 5. Trunk rotation 10. Bottom arm extended, elbow straight 6. Blade totally immersed, just below water surface

January 2011 Syllabus 8 | Page

Canoe & Kayak Syllabus

Draw Stroke - Hanging Draw (Underwater Recovery) 6. Stable kayak. 1. Paddle placed vertically 90 degrees from 7. Top hand still, lower hand kayak (Hip) Blade parallel to kayak and controls blade. totally immersed. 8. Lower arm slightly bent. 2. Forearm on forehead. 9. Body rotation. 3. Pull towards kayak, stop 10cm from kayak. 10. Railing away from paddle. 4. Twist blade at side of kayak and move to 11. If the paddle touches the side of the start position. kayak, immediately release the Top hand. 5. Blade is never dry.

Draw Strokes - Sculling draw 1. Blade beside kayak 5. Stable kayak 2. Move blade along side of kayak from front 6. Top hand still to back repeatedly 7. Lower arm slightly bent 3. Blade slightly open on leading edge 8. Body rotation 4. Forearm on forehead 9. Railing away from paddle

Stern Rudder Low Brace (practice stationary and moving)

1. Trunk rotation 1. Vertical box 2. Vertical blade 2. Back of blade 3. Both hands across centre line of boat 3. Elbows on top (Gorilla formation) 4. Looking forward 4. “C” hip flick 5. Blade totally immersed. 5. Twist blade forward to recover

Eskimo Rescue See ‘Hip-flicks and Eskimo rescue’ above.

Try and work in practical exercises for each stroke. Get clients to swap kayaks regularly throughout the course.

January 2011 Syllabus 9 | Page

Canoe & Kayak Syllabus

January 2011 Syllabus 10 | Page

Canoe & Kayak Syllabus

January 2011 Syllabus 11 | Page

Canoe & Kayak Syllabus Rescues

If conditions are suitable, clients are to try rescues in deep water.

Paddle float rescue 1. Leave the kayak capsized until ready 9. Place the other foot over the to get into it. paddle shaft. 2. Locate the Paddle float (P/F) and 10. Swivel on your stomach until you remove from storage. can get your forward leg into the 3. Lying on your back, hook your feet cockpit. into the cockpit to free your hands. 11. Reach between your legs to grasp 4. Insert paddle in P/F and inflate the the paddle shaft. P/F. 12. Bring your other leg into the cockpit. 5. Right the kayak. It is important at this stage to keep 6. Ensuring you are towards the your weight on the P/F. between the rudder and cockpit, 13. Shuffle yourself forward on your place the paddle behind the cockpit stomach until your groin is over the rim at a right angle to the kayak. seat. Hold the paddle in place with your 14. Now flip yourself over and your fingers in the cockpit and thumb backside will drop into the seat. over the paddle shaft. 15. Bring your paddle on to the foredeck 7. Placing your spare hand on the rear and keep your weight on it. of the kayak, pull yourself up onto 16. Replace your spray skirt and pump the aft deck, keeping your stomach out through a gap to leeward. on the deck. 17. Remove the P/F and stow. 8. As you rise onto the boat, hook your forward ankle over the paddle shaft.

T Rescue

1. Before approaching the swimmer, Hands are positioned one on top ask if they are ok. If they are and one underneath the bow panicking, calm them down BEFORE preventing your capsize. approaching. No need to put 6. As you lift, get the swimmer to bear yourself in danger. down on the stern of their kayak, 2. Paddle to the bow of their kayak. thus giving you more lift. 3. Ask them to pass you their paddle, 7. Lift the bow as high as you can, stow this across your cockpit under emptying water from their cockpit in your arms, and ask them to swim to doing so. the rear of their kayak. 8. Roll the kayak over, ensuring the 4. Put your kayak across the others rudder turns away from the bow to form a ‘T’. swimmer. 5. Tilt your boat so that the other bow 9. Slip the kayak back into the water can rest over your cockpit. Righting and position your kayak alongside your kayak helps to lift the bow. theirs with bow to stern.

January 2011 Syllabus 12 | Page

Canoe & Kayak Syllabus

10. Resting on their foredeck, with one 11. In windy conditions keep the hand holding the far side of their paddles across both kayaks and kayak and the other grasping their between your arms, this gives cockpit rim, assist the swimmer into immediate access to your paddle. their kayak. You are there to stabilise their boat. It is important 12. As you are now face to face, it is that they keep their centre of gravity easy to communicate and to assist in down by lying on their stomach sorting out their gear without the while getting into the kayak. risk of further capsize.

X Rescue 1. Before approaching the swimmer, ask if 8. Roll the kayak over. they are OK. If they are panicking, calm 9. Slip the kayak back into the water and them down BEFORE approaching. No need position your kayak alongside theirs with to put yourself in danger. bow to stern. 2. Paddle to the bow of their kayak and hold 10. Resting on their foredeck, with one hand on to it. holding the far side of their kayak and the 3. Ask them to pass you their paddle, stow other grasping their cockpit rim, assist the this across your cockpit under your arms, swimmer into their kayak. You are there to and ask them to swim to the rear of their stabilise their boat. It is important that they kayak. keep their centre of gravity down by lying 4. Put your kayak across the others bow to on their stomach while getting into the form a ‘T’. kayak. In windy conditions keep the 5. Tilt your boat so that the other bow can paddles across both kayaks and between rest over your cockpit. Righting your kayak your arms, this gives immediate access to helps to lift the bow. Hands are positioned your paddle. one on top and one underneath the bow 11. In windy conditions keep the paddles preventing your capsize. across both kayaks and between your 6. As you lift, get the swimmer to bear down arms, this gives immediate access to your on the stern of their kayak, thus giving you paddle. more lift. 12. As you are now face to face, it is easy to 7. Lift the bow over your cockpit to form an communicate and to assist in sorting out ‘X’, emptying water from their cockpit in their gear without the risk of further doing so. capsize.

John Wayne entry

1. Placing one hand on the rear of the kayak, the other behind the cockpit, pull yourself up onto the aft deck, keeping your stomach on the deck. 2. Rotate your body so that your head is forward and your legs are straddling the kayak. 3. Keeping your body low, shuffle forward until you can drop your rear end on to the seat. 4. Slide your legs in.

January 2011 Syllabus 13 | Page

Canoe & Kayak Syllabus

Joins T Rescue article on next page.

January 2011 Syllabus 14 | Page

Canoe & Kayak Syllabus

January 2011 Syllabus 15 | Page

Canoe & Kayak Syllabus

January 2011 Syllabus 16 | Page

Canoe & Kayak Syllabus

January 2011 Syllabus 17 | Page

Canoe & Kayak Syllabus

January 2011 Syllabus 18 | Page

Canoe & Kayak Syllabus

January 2011 Syllabus 19 | Page

Canoe & Kayak Syllabus Further work is being carried out on the below skills which will be made available as it is completed. Current knowledge on how to teach them is available by contacting Peter Townend on 09 476 7066

Sea Kayaking Stern Deck Carry Towing systems Big or tired person Rescues River Railing / leaning Low brace turns River Reading Upstream V Downstream V Eddies - eddy line River Rescue Skills Stern deck carry Throw bagging – dry - wet Swimming with equipment White water float position Combat swimming in rapids Breaking in and breaking out S - Turns Ferry glide

January 2011 Syllabus 20 | Page

Canoe & Kayak Syllabus

Manual Update Register

Manual updated Date Corrections made by Peter Townend July2007 Bi Annual Rewrite

James Fitness Sept Bi Annual Rewrite 2009 James Fitness October Changed title to “Canoe & Kayak Syllabus” 2010 James Fitness January Page 17 & 18 2011 Added Sweep Strokes & Stern/ rudder draw strokes.

January 2011 Syllabus 21 | Page