1 Lifting, carrying and launching. Demonstrate good lifting and carrying techniques appropriate to getting a kayak from or to a car roof rack or a trailer, with assistance if required. The candidate should be able to launch safely and efficiently from any reasonable launching spot. e.g. pier, steps, high river bank.

2 Efficient forward paddling. Evidence of efficient forward paddling. Good trunk rotation, extended front arm, reasonably high paddling action (dependent on boat). Are the knees/legs cycling? The demonstration will be over a distance of about 500m (throughout the test) and will show good speed and control.

3 Reverse over a figure-of-8 course. Accurate and efficient backward paddling over a prescribed figure-of-8 course.

4 Turning whilst on the move. Turn the kayak quickly with the minimum loss of forward speed by means of a low brace turn, and by a bow rudder.

Low brace turn. The turn to be induced by applying a sweep stroke on the opposite side to the turn, followed by a confident edge into the turn. Back of paddle blade trailing on surface ready for support. Perform both left and right.

Bow rudder. The intention is to indicate that the kayak can be pivoted around the paddle. The turn to be induced by applying a sweep stroke on the opposite side to the turn. The blade should then be planted in the water at a comfortable distance from the gunwale, about level with the knees, with the drive face towards the boat but the leading edge angled away from the bow. Trunk rotation should be in evidence, the top arm across the top of the head. The boat is driven around the paddle by use of the opposite knee.. The intention is to indicate that the kayak can be pivoted around the paddle. The turn to be induced by applying a sweep stroke on the opposite side to the turn. The blade should then be planted in the water at a comfortable distance from the gunwale, about level with the knees, with the drive face towards the boat but the leading edge angled away from the bow. Trunk rotation should be in evidence, the top arm across the top of the head. The boat is driven around the paddle by use of the opposite knee.

5 Moving sideways, both static and on the move. Move the kayak sideways in both directions by means of sculling draw, draw on the move and hanging draw.

Sculling draw . Body well rotated. Paddle shaft vertical, blade deep in the water. An effective sideways movement must be in evidence without the kayak turning.

Draw on the move. The kayak, whilst moving forward, is to be pulled sideways from its course without turning (as if to avoid an obstacle) using a draw stroke.

Hanging draw. The kayak to be moved sideways over a greater distance than that of a draw stroke on the move. With the kayak moving forward at a good speed, the paddle should be placed out to the side, level with or just behind hip, The kayak should move sideways without the paddle moving in relation to the boat, or the kayak turning. (It may be necessary for the bow to be held at a slight angle away from the paddle.). The kayak to be moved sideways over a greater distance than that of a draw stroke on the move. With the kayak moving forward at a good speed, the paddle should be placed out to the side, level with or just behind hip, The kayak should move sideways without the paddle moving in relation to the boat, or the kayak turning. (It may be necessary for the bow to be held at a slight angle away from the paddle.)

6 Supporting. Candidates should possess a range of support techniques in order to maintain balance in varied circumstances. Demonstrations should include low and high recovery strokes as well as low and high sculling for support on both sides.

Sculling for support. The paddle to be kept low, nearly horizontal, with evidence of confident committal to the paddle.

Recovery strokes. Both high and low recovery strokes be demonstrated with the kayak well off balance. To be performed on the move, and forward paddling to be maintained thereafter.

7 Securing. Secure the kayak to trailer, canoe rack or roof rack using a rope. Any practical system is acceptable but must use an efficient, recognised knot.

8 Tilting to assist turning. Exercise to be set showing good edging control that assists turning.

1 Deep water rescue. An effective rescue of another canoeist, returning him or her to their kayak in deep water. The capsized paddler may assist as instructed by the candidate. It is recommended that boats should be equipped with total buoyancy (e.g. airbags)

2 Towing and use of tow line. Candidate to show a knowledge of a way to tow a kayak using a line without assistance. The tow must be released as for an emergency. The candidate must indicate that he or she is aware of the inherent dangers of towing.

3 Eskimo rescue. A confident capsize and banging on the hull, with the rescuer moving in from 5 metres distance. A first time recovery must follow, but two attempts may be made. Candidate to act as both rescuer and victim. Both styles of Eskimo rescue to be shown i.e. bow presentation and paddle presentation. The rescuer must not approach at right angles to where the hands or body are located.

Demonstrate satisfactory beginnings in:

1 Rolling The candidate should come up within three attempts, during each of which the assessor may guide or hold the blade of the paddle, but not touch the boat or paddler. A half roll is acceptable (i.e. down and up on the same side).

Journeying:

1 Provide evidence of at least 3 journeys of 10km (about 3 hours duration each).