Paddling Leadership Requirements

Leadership / Becoming a Leader / Paddling Leadership Requirements

WHITEWATER LEADERSHIP

SAFETY

  • CurrentCPRcertification
  • Current First Aid certification
  • Training in prevention, recognition, and treatment of hypothermia and frostbite
  • Must be concerned with the safety of the group at all times

LEADERSHIP SKILLS

  • Must be able to effectively communicate with a group in an outdoor setting
  • Must be able to keep a group together and organized in an outdoor setting
  • Must be concerned with the safety and well being of the group
  • Must show ability to make correct decisions in potentially dangerous outdoor situations
  • Must be able to evaluate an individual’s skills and prevent putting individuals in situations they may not be prepared for
  • Must bring appropriate group gear to the outing
  • Must educate all those attending on what to bring (appropriate clothing, food, water, and money if needed)
  • Must be able to instruct others about the activity
  • Must make sure drivers for the trip are appropriately compensated for gas expenses
TECHNICAL SKILLS
  • Must be familiar with all the equipment used in the activity
  • Must be familiar with rescue techniques specific to whitewater
  • Must have excellent kayaking skills
  • Must be able to evaluate whitewater rapids for hazards and safe routes

WHAT LEADERS MUST BRING ON TRIPS:

  • Throw-rope
  • Tow-tethers
  • Dry bags
  • First Aid kit
  • Individual leaders may also have their own river knives and Z-drag kits

WHAT INDIVIDUALS MUST BRING ON TRIPS:

  • Kayak (including float bags)
  • Paddle
  • Spray-skirt
  • Helmet
  • PFD
  • Booties
  • Pogies or gloves
  • Wetsuit
  • Splash jacket
  • Polypro or fleece under layers

FLATWATER LEADERSHIP

1. CERTIFICATIONS

Has fulfilled the general leadership requirements for First Aid & CPR

2. FAMILIARITY WITH EQUIPMENT

Knows the basic differences between canoes & kayaks, and the basic strengths & weaknesses between them.

Is familiar with the layout and important features of canoes and kayaks, including:

  • material the hull is constructed of, and the basic differences between them
  • bow and stern
  • seats
  • cockpit of a kayak, including:

– seat

– thigh braces

– backband

– foot braces

  • keel and kayak rudder (including how to properly use and stow it)
  • thwarts on a canoe
  • the general features of hull design that impact stability and maneuverability

Is familiar with canoe and kayak paddles, including:

  • sizing
  • correct grip

Can correctly fit and adjust a PFD (life jacket) and understands that NYS law requires all paddlers to wear one from November 1st through May 1st. (We wear them year-round)

3. BASIC PADDLING SKILLS

Is able to enter and exit canoes and kayaks safely from shore

Is familiar with the following strokes:

  • forward and back stroke
  • J-stroke (canoe only)
  • rudder stroke
  • draw stroke
  • sweep stroke, both forwards and backwards

Understands the benefits of having paddlers in a tandem canoe paddle on opposite sides of the canoe.

4. SAFETY SKILLS

Knows how to prevent, recognize, and treat hypothermia.

Knows how to, and is able to lead a rescue of swimmers in open water.

  • Knows the risks involved in rescue of swimmers
  • Is able to quickly assess the condition of swimmers and respond accordingly

Knows how to and is able to lead others in successfully rescuing capsized canoes and kayaks in open water (using a T-rescue, for example).

Is familiar with the risks and benefits of both staying with a capsized canoe and swimming to shore if self-rescue is not successful.

Knows how to signal for help.

Is able to read both a compass and a topographic map and use them to navigate.

5. CANOE AND KAYAK TRANSPORT

Can safely secure, load, and unload canoes kayaks to vehicles:

  • with and without roof racks
  • with both rope and cam straps

Knows how to safely carry boats over a portage.

6. INSTRUCTION

Is able to provide effective instruction to both beginners and those seeking a flatwater paddling leadership.

7. RECOMMENDED ADDITIONAL SKILLS (OPTIONAL)

Strokes: Become really comfortable using the proper j-stroke form (rotating upper hand forwards and down, as if reading a wristwatch, and using the power face of the blade). It’s a very graceful and efficient stroke once you get it down, and another mark of a skilled canoeist. Other good canoe strokes to know:

  • pry
  • cross-draw, running-draw (also called a duffek), & sculling draw
  • braces, both low & sculling

Learn to solo canoes. It takes good control (see above strokes), but it’s one of the best ways to become a really skilled paddler… and it’s a ton of fun!

Learn to flip-up and portage a canoe by yourself. This can be pretty tough, but it can make portages take a lot less time.

Get comfortable doing kayak T-rescues & Hand of God rescues on fellow kayakers who’ve flipped and can’t roll so that they don’t have to swim.

Knows differences between PFD types (i.e type I, II, III…) with regards to unconscious victims.

In windy and choppy water, learn to recognize where wind & wave shadows are likely to be, and how to use them to your advantage.