Canoe - RED PADDLE - LEVEL 4 -Kayak
Canoe - EURO PADDLE PASS - Kayak

A European Approach to
Competency in Paddle Sport

Aim - Canoe-Kayak
The EPP Level 4 Kayak Award aims to enable participants to kayak safely and competently on rivers up to and including rivers of Grade III difficulties, and
- Be capable of negotiating obstacles likely to be encountered on Grade III water.
- Deal competently with rescue situations that might occur on rivers up to and including Grade III difficulties.
- Develop group awareness.

Location - Canoe-Kayak
- The Level 4 assessment should take place on Grade III water.
- The assessment should take place on a journey of approximately 4 hours travelling time or at least 5km.

Equipment - Canoe-Kayak
Appropriate closed cockpit kayak and double bladed paddle.

Pre-requisites - Canoe-Kayak
Candidate must have passed EPP Level 3 Kayak test (or equivalent) and should have completed a minimum of 3 Grade III journeys each of a minimum of 3km long.

Canoe -TECHNICAL STANDARDS - Kayak

To obtain the EPP Level 4 Kayak Award a participant must successfully explain and demonstrate the following techniques and skills at a higher level than that required at the EPP Level 3 Kayak Award (or equivalent) and be capable of demonstrating any combination of the stokes competently and efficiently on Grade III water.

Forward paddling - Canoe-Kayak
1/- Candidates will demonstrate competency in forward paddling throughout the trip, using strokes, which should be polished, fluent and adaptive.
2/- Throughout the test the candidate should demonstrate the elements of good paddling technique. A committed catch, good rotation, leg drive, upright comfortable posture at a fast cruising pace while maintaining accurate control of the kayak.
3/- Common sense should be applied when judging paddling technique taking into account variation in physique and personal style.

Stopping and reverse ferry gliding - Canoe-Kayak
1/- Stopping and reverse ferry gliding should be used to alter the candidate’s position on the river with a view to selecting a suitable line down a rapid and also for avoiding obstacles.
2/- The candidate’s demonstration should also include the safe negotiation of bends where the main current sets under trees.

Stopping and reverse ferry gliding - Canoe-Kayak
1/- While demonstrating reverse ferry gliding, it is not envisaged that the candidate need enter and leave the main current, but rather that they should be able to perform the manoeuvres while in the main current.

Breaking out - Canoe-Kayak
1/- Breaking out of the main current into eddies should demonstrate anticipation and early positioning, and the use of appropriate strokes throughout the manoeuvre.
2/- The candidate should also demonstrate the correct speed and angle of approach, together with a positive and early grip of the stationary water in the eddy.
3/- The kayak should come to rest high up the eddy, just inside the eddy line and parallel to it.

Breaking in - Canoe-Kayak
1/- This manoeuvre will be achieved by resolving such factors as speed of current, size of eddy, tilt and the desired position in the river after the break in.
2/- Initial positioning in the eddy and the angle of exit allied to the correct speed and degree of edging should be evident and appropriate for the particular eddy.
3/- Be aware of a charge out that ends with either a stall in mid-current or an inadvertent entry into an eddy on the opposite bank.

Upstream (forward) ferry gliding - Canoe-Kayak
1/- The candidate should aim to cross a consistent and moderate flow that is 10m wide without any loss of height, or a 20m wide flow with no more than a kayak length loss.
2/- Allowance needs to be made for the specific water conditions.
3/- It is important that the ferry angle is appropriate and maintained through the manoeuvre.

Surf waves - Canoe-Kayak
1/- The candidate should show an ability to cross the current using a range of waves. Candidates should be familiar with the ‘diagonal run’ and should be confident at getting established on and playing medium sized waves.

Paddle into and out of stoppers - Canoe-Kayak
1/- It is crucial that the candidate can recognize ‘friendly’ stoppers or difficult stoppers (particularly in weirs) and be able to perform well in them. Having identified a friendly stopper the candidate should be able to paddle into it and then leave it.
2/- An upright body position with a smooth but lightly held brace is important, the boat having a steady downstream edge.
3/- The brace should be active i.e. supporting and paddling the candidate either forward or backward towards the end or the break in the stopper.

Canoe - SAFETY STANDARDS - Kayak

Be aware of the risks and difficulties associated with paddling on moving water, and the position, which should be adopted if swimming in fast moving water.

Rolling - Canoe-Kayak
1/- The candidate should be able to demonstrate a full 360-degree roll on moving water as required for the test.

Sling/Throw bag rescues - Canoe-Kayak
1/- Demonstrate throwing a throw bag to rescue a swimmer descending a Grade III rapid, 10m from the bank. The assessor should be satisfied that the rope would land over the swimmer, and that the rescuer would not be pulled off balance.
2/- The candidate should be able to demonstrate a basic waist/shoulder belay for accepting a load using appropriate rescue equipment such as slings and karabiners.

Rescues - Canoe-Kayak
1/- Candidate should sufficiently perform an X rescue, a curl rescue, and a rescue of an unconscious paddler.

Rescue and tow as for white water - Canoe-Kayak
1/- The candidate should rescue a capsized canoeist by competently towing him or her distance of 10m on Grade III water. At least two forms of carry should be shown and the candidate should show knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of both.

Swimming in white water - Canoe-Kayak
1/- Candidate demonstrates how to enter the water, swim actively across the river using currents and back eddies in Grade III water.

Hypothermia/First Aid - Canoe-Kayak
1/- Candidate should show a good understanding of immersion hypothermia, its causes and symptoms. Be able to deal with basic First Aid incidents - e.g., a cut forehead or hand.
2/- It is recommended that a candidate should hold a First Aid certificate.

Planning - Canoe-Kayak
1/- Candidate should show an understanding of what is involved in planning a trip down a river, such as access and egress, equipment requirements, significance of a weather forecast, shuttle procedures, lunch stops, contingency plans.

Map work - Canoe-Kayak
1/- The candidate should be able to align a map, work out the distance between two points, and identify particular features which would indicate position

Canoe - EQUIPMENT STANDARDS - Kayak

Candidates will present themselves suitably equipped for the test. All equipment should be both suitable and serviceable, and borrowed equipment will be judged as though it is the candidate’s own. Where essential equipment is missing, the candidate should not be assessed.

Kayak and paddle - Canoe-Kayak
- The kayak MUST be fitted with a minimum of 6.5Kg (60N) securely fixed buoyancy at each end of the kayak, but it is recommended that kayaks are fitted with total buoyancy (e.g. inherent buoyancy supplemented with air bags).
- End grabs must be provided and be suitable for carrying out rescues without trapping the hand.
- Where safety lines are used they must be taut and not capable of coming loose accidentally, or fouling the cockpit area.

Personal clothing - Canoe-Kayak
Personal clothing should be appropriate to the expected conditions, and should include windproof and waterproof clothing as well as footwear suitable to kayaking in a Grade III environment.

Buoyancy aid, helmet and spray deck - Canoe-Kayak
- A buoyancy aid of minimum CE approved 50N inherent buoyancy should be worn.
- Helmets must provide adequate protection for the head, be CE approved and be securely fastened.
- The spray cover must be fitted with an efficient release strap.

Other Safety Equipment - Canoe-Kayak
- A candidate’s equipment should include a throw rope, means of towing, sling, karabiner and knife, split paddles (carried as part of / group equipment).

An adequate First Aid kit and repair kit should be carried.

Spare clothing - Canoe-Kayak
- Adequate spare clothing should be carried. The clothing should be applicable to the prevailing conditions and suitable for use in a bivvy bag to prevent hypothermia.

Packed lunch - Canoe-Kayak
- A packed lunch and a drink should be carried.

Emergency equipment for personal use - Canoe-Kayak
- This should include: emergency food; whistle; exposure (bivvy) bag of minimum size 1.8m by 0.9m (6’ by 3’); torch; matches or lighter.

Waterproof kit bag(s) - Canoe-Kayak
- Spare equipment must be stored in appropriately secured, waterproof kit bag(s) and must remain dry even after capsize.