University of Limerick Kayak Club

Yo home dawgs,

How's it hanging?

Due to popular demand I've booked level four training weekend of the 27th / 28th of February. (My own mother's birthday weekend! )

Requirements to take part in the training:

• Level 3 Skills Cert
• Have completed or be signed up to a RSR2 Course
• A current ICU membership

The course is going to cost €90 per participant. This includes a hefty subsidy from the club (33%), and a group booking discount (10%).

If you'd like to take part please post here and I'll note your name for it. I'll start collecting money once people are back to college.
(By "me" I mean "someone nice in Limerick" and by "collecting money" I mean "breaking kneecaps")

Ask any questions you want below too!

Level 4 Kayak Skills

General aims

• The Level 4 Kayaking Skills Award aims to enable candidates to:
• Kayak safely and proficiently on rivers up to and including Grade III difficulty as part of a group of peers.
• Be capable of negotiating obstacles likely to be encountered on Grade III rivers.
• Deal competently with rescue situations that might occur on rivers up to and including rivers of Grade III difficulty.
• Develop group awareness.

Requirements
To obtain the Level 4 Kayak Skills Award a participant must successfully explain and demonstrate the following techniques and skills at a level higher than that required for the Level 3 Kayak Skills Award and be capable of demonstrating any combination of the strokes competently and efficiently.

Strokes

• Forward Paddle, Reverse Paddle, Emergency Stop.
• Forward Sweep, Reverse Sweep and a combination of Forward and Reverse Sweep.
• Edging
• Draw Stroke
• Sculling Draw
• Hanging Draw
• Low Brace
• High Brace
• Sculling for Support
• Stern Rudder
• Bow Rudder

Techniques

• An ability to use water conditions available for the effective and efficient manoeuvring of a kayak.
• Competence in negotiating water obstructions i.e. Standing Waves, Stoppers, and an ability to utilise it to cross a river.
• Competence in negotiating bends where water flows under trees or against vertical riverbank.
• Forward Ferry Gliding.
• Reverse Ferry Gliding.
• Breaking In accurately.
• Breaking Out accurately.
• Rescues and Safety Techniques
• An X Rescue and/or Assisted X Rescue.
• Eskimo Rescue (maximum lower body rotation).
• Eskimo Roll.
• Capable of Self-Rescue.
• Curl Rescue and/or TX Rescue.
• Stern Carry.
• Unconscious Casualty (method of righting an unconscious person in a capsized kayak).
• An ability to manoeuvre an empty kayak between two specified points.
• An ability to assist an incapacitated paddler in a kayak between two specified points.
• Offensive & Defensive Swimming.
• An ability to use a Throw Rope to rescue a swimmer.
• A practical knowledge of First Aid and its relevance to possible situations arising during a canoeing trip to include: Shock, Hypothermia, Head
• Injuries, Dislocations, Bleeding, CPR, EAR.

Theory
An understanding of the following:

• River Grading
• River Route Finding
• Types of GP kayaks and paddles
• Towing Systems and methods
• Group Control and Awareness
• Signals and Commands
• Personal Equipment

Applying for Assessment
Before applying to attend a Level 4 Kayak Skills Award Assessment, a candidate must:

• Have obtained the Level 3 Kayak S
• ls Award.
• Have completed an RSR 2 Training Course and obtained an RSR 2 cerrtificate
• Be a member of Canoeing Ireland either as an individual member or as a member of an affiliated club.
• Have unrestricted access to a fully equipped kayak, personal equipment and additional equipment. (See Level 4 Kayak Skills List of equipment).
• Be at least 16 years of age.

Assessment
The Level 4 Kayak Skills assessment must take place during a river trip of at least three km on water of Grade III difficulty.
During an assessment a candidate must explain and demonstrate all techniques and skills at a level higher than that required for the Level 3 Kayak Skills Award. All techniques, skills and rescues must be demonstrated to the required level in order to achieve this award.
All strokes should be demonstrated in relevant situations i.e. sculling in a stopper. Strokes should be demonstrated on both sides of the kayak.
All rescues must be executed by the candidate acting as both rescuee and rescuer. Generally, required assessment rescues will be kept until the end of the river trip.
While it is not compulsory to attend a training course prior to assessment, it is strongly recommended.

Assessment Guidelines
A Level 4 Kayak Skills Award can only be assessed by a Level 4 Kayak Instructor who meets the Level 4 Kayak Skills Assessor Panel requirements.
It is recommended that the award be assessed by an Instructor other than the Instructor who ran the training course leading to assessment.
The assessment will be carried out with a maximum ratio of 4:1.
Should a candidate fail an assessment written guidelines should be given as to the areas that they need to improve on.
No other award may be assessed at the same time as the Level 4 Kayak Skills Award.

Equipment List required for Assessment
Properly equipped kayak:

• Rigid end loops and/or toggles.
• Suitable buoyancy
• Suitable foot rest
• A kayak must be of sufficient volume to carry out all necessary safety equipment and perform any rescue as required by the Level 4 Kayak Skills Award

Personal kayaking equipment:

• Paddle
• ISO approved Helmet
• ISO approved Buoyancy Aid with integrated harness
• Spray deck
• Adequate hard sole footwear
• Wetsuit or dry pants, dry cag or dry suit, combined with sufficient thermal clothing

Other Equipment:

• Throw Rope
• Knife
• 4-5 m Open Sling
• Karabiners x 2, one screw gate, one snap gate
• Towing System
• First Aid Kit
• Mobile Phone
• Whistle
• Torch
• Flask and Food
• Spare Clothes
• Bivvy Bag or group shelter
• Split Paddle
• Repair Kit which should include duct tape and multi tool (at a minimum)
• Dry Bag or other method of keeping equipment dry

Ya I'm in for this Eoghan

I would like to do this training.

I'd like to do it, thanks eoghan

Ya I'm up for this.

Just to highlight to people, although this is called "Level 4 Training" it is open to those who still have their level 4. The MINIMUM requirement is Level 3, there is no maximum requirement. It will be a really beneficial day with some top paddlers who will teach you some great skills, regardless of whether you're Level 3 or 4. So sign up one and all, its bound to be a great weekend!!

Can't go that weekend. Attending Eoghan's mother's birthday party.

SamOC wrote:Can't go that weekend. Attending Eoghan's mother's birthday party.

Give her my appologies, I'll be kayaking like the cool guys....

I'm up for this

Yes please I will sign up for this too Thanks very much Eoghan

Up for this

Is it in Limerick and is there an assessment too or is that separate?

Hello everyone.

As Eoghan said this training costs €90 after the large club subsidy and is on the 27th-28th of February so pencil it into your diaries.

A deposit of €40 is required to confirm your place at the training, this is due on or before 12th of February.

The remaining balance is then to be paid on or before 19th of February.

Bank details are here.

Post below when you have transferred the money and let me know if you've any problems.

Hey lads any ideas on the rsr2 training if not done or booked can I still do the training or is likely that Conor will be setting up this training?