Canoe - YELLOW PADDLE - LEVEL 1 -Kayak
Canoe - EURO PADDLE PASS - Kayak

An encouragement award and a basic assessment of ability at the end of an introductory course.
The test itself should encourage fun, basic boat handling skills, safe practice and a regard for equipment and the natural environment.

Location - Canoe-Kayak
Sheltered Flat Water (not a swimming pool).

Equipment - Canoe-Kayak
Basic kayak or canoe and paddle.

Canoe -TECHNICAL STANDARDS - Kayak

Lifting, carrying and launching - Canoe-Kayak
1/- The candidate must demonstrate good safe lifting and carrying principles using legs rather than the back; assistance is recommended.
2/- The paddle must remain within reach or can be used to assist in embarking.
3/- Correct approach to waterway relative to gradient, current, and type of bank or shore.
4/- Control must be maintained while entering the water.

Forward paddling over a 50m course - Canoe-Kayak
1/- Candidates must show evidence that they are able to control the kayak/canoe in a straight line over a distance of 50 metres.
2/- Some directional instability is likely to occur but this should not include complete loss of forward movement or a continuous careering from side to side.

Stopping - Canoe-Kayak
1/- Stopping should be demonstrated in both directions.
2/- Opposite motion should be in evidence within four strokes.

Sweep Stroke - Rotate 360 degrees on the spot - Canoe-Kayak
1/- Spinning should be demonstrated in a clockwise and anti-clockwise rotation using the appropriate combination of forward sweeps and reverse sweeps.
2/- Somebody rotation to be in evidence.

Reverse paddling - Canoe-Kayak
1/- The kayak/canoe should travel a distance of 25 metres.
2/- Turning the trunk and looking over one or both shoulders must be in evidence.

Paddle a figure-of-8 course - Canoe-Kayak
1/- The candidate should paddle a prescribed figure-of-8 course using a combination of forward strokes and sweeps to demonstrate a basic level of steering control.

Return to bank and disembark - Canoe-Kayak
1/- Correct approach to the bank, relative to wind, current, and type of bank or shore.
2/- Control must be maintained while exiting.
3/- Exit without damaging the kayak/canoe or the bank.

Progression - Show sufficient beginnings of:

Moving sideways - Canoe-Kayak
1/- Somebody rotation towards the paddling side should be in evidence.
2/- Blade should be well immersed, paddle shaft probably not upright at this stage.
3/- Recovery of the blade through the air or sliced in the water is acceptable.
4/- Clear evidence of sideways movement should be in evidence - some bow or stern swing is acceptable.

Ruddering - Canoe-Kayak
1/- With forward movement of the canoe/kayak, the paddle should be inserted to one side of the boat.
2/- Blade should be almost covered, front arm relaxed over stomach, shaft parallel to side.
3/- The kayak/canoe should be kept running in a straight line with the paddle remaining on the one side.

Preventing a capsize - Canoe-Kayak
1/- The kayak/canoe should be edged sufficiently to be nearly off balance.
2/- Low recovery strokes should be demonstrated on both sides.

Canoe - SAFETY STANDARDS - Kayak

Capsize, swim ashore and empty - Canoe-Kayak
1/- The candidate should remain calm and quickly regain and maintain contact with the kayak/canoe.
2/- The paddle should be retained or collected by swimming with the kayak/canoe to the paddle and empty the boat on the bank/shore.
3/- Help can be asked for, so long as the candidate remains in charge of emptying.

Personal Protective Equipment - Canoe-Kayak
1/- The candidate must wear a buoyancy aid and appropriate gear for situation and weather, which may include but is not limited to - helmet and footwear.

Water Confidence - Canoe-Kayak
1/- The candidate should show confidence about being immersed in the water while wearing a buoyancy aid.