1 Lifting, carrying and launching the kayak. Candidate to demonstrate good lifting and carrying principles. Boat to be afloat and entry into it without any aid from the paddle, though the paddle must be close i.e. within reach.

2 Efficient forward paddling. To paddle a distance of about 200 metres. Posture upright but natural. Continuous natural rhythmic paddling. some trunk rotation in evidence. A reasonable degree of steering accuracy to be achieved including 50 metres at a good cruising speed.

3 Reverse paddling and stopping. Candidates should demonstrate controlled and reasonably accurate reverse paddling over a distance of 25m towards a point defined by the assessor. When reversing, looking over one shoulder and unwinding the trunk to produce power must be in evidence. Back (non-drive) face of the paddle presented to the water. For stopping, the canoe should be travelling at a good cruising speed and motion in the opposite direction should be evident within 4 strokes.

4 Moving the kayak sideways. Move boat sideways 5m retaining directional stability. Blade to remain submerged throughout stroke. Top arm no lower than shoulder height. Body rotation. Lower arm extends fully at start of stroke, top hand acts as pivot.

5 Preventing a capsize. Show an efficient low recovery stroke with the boat off balance. A good firm push, with associated hip rotation, should be evident. For high recovery stroke the boat must be off balance with water up to the paddlers waist. Repeated on both sides.

6 Ruddering. The kayak to be paddled up to a good speed, then kept running in a straight line through a narrow gap by the use of a trailing paddle.

7 Turning. The kayak to be turned whilst on the move using firstly a series of sweep strokes, secondly a low brace turn. For the low brace turn, the turn is to be induced by a short effective sweep on the opposite side followed by a good edge into the turn; the paddle should be in the low brace position, level or just in front of hip, shaft as parallel to surface of water as boat will allow, back of the blade on the water. The boat carves a slow, stable turn.

8 Disembarking. Correct approach to the bank, exit kayak without use of the paddle. Balance and control of the boat to be maintained. Exit without damaging the kayak or the bank.

9 Securing. The candidate must understand the concept of securing boats at the end of the session, either by tying down or putting onto purpose-made racks, using ropes with a secure knot.

1 Deep Water Rescue. Take charge of a deep water rescue which should be carried out with assistance, then act as the victim.

Demonstrate satisfactory beginnings in

1 Sculling draw. Body turned towards gunwale. Paddle shaft fairly upright, drive face towards the kayak and deep in the water. Kayak edged slightly to avoid water going onto deck.

2 Sculling support. Kayak edged so that it is just off balance. Paddle shaft horizontal, drive face on the water (controlling hand side), leading edge of blade raised on each slow scull. Arms flexed in a natural position. (For the purpose of this test, the examiner should regard sculling as a balancing and paddle-control exercise, not as a means of survival in a stopper.)

3 Eskimo rescue. Recovery with lower body rotation from an upside down position whilst maintaining a hold on the rescuer’s bow. May be preceded with practice until recovering from an upside down position. Candidate to act both as rescuer and as victim.

4 Edging Candidate to paddle a circle with inside and outside edging being evident. The direction of the turn which is induced is not significant.

Journeying:

Provide evidence of at least 1 journey of about 2 hours (6 km) duration