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Achieving the British Canoeing Sea Kayak Award
Would you like to work towards your BC sea kayak award? The award can be earned by continuous assessment, so it can be achieved steadily.
https://www.britishcanoeingawarding.org.uk/personal-performance-award-resources/
Some of the club trips this summer will require paddlers to have passed their SK award, and therefore it would be worthwhile achieving the award if it is suitable for you.
I have split the skills that are required into “dry” skills that don’t require swimming, and “wet” skills that paddlers may prefer to demonstrate once the water is warmer.
It is not necessary to be able to roll a kayak, to achieve the SK award.
Dry skills
Comfortable paddling in SK award conditions, including a following sea. SK Award conditions are winds up to and including force 3 and / or tides up to 1 knot.
Paddling in surf up to 1m crest to trough
Manoeuvring the sea kayak, eg during rock hopping, showing use of a variety of paddle strokes.
Support strokes
Turning, edging
Use of skeg
Towing and quick release of tow, repacking of towline.
Contact towing including positioning the sea kayak in the most useful position when being towed.
Be able to paddle faster for a short distance.
Have paddled on a minimum of three sea kayak trips on the sea.
Wet skills
Rescues, both assisting a paddler to be rescued, and being rescued.
Self rescue, ie be swimming in the sea, and climb back into the kayak unassisted. There are various techniques including a scramble from the back of the boat, using a paddlefloat, and re-entry and roll.
Paddle a sea kayak half full of water.
Other matters
Aim to be a useful member of a sea kayak group
Be aware of signals used for group management
Knowledge of the tide times and tidal stream for the location of the trip, weather forecast
Environmental awareness eg avoid disturbance of seals.
Knowledge of how to communicate with emergency services eg VHF (possession of a VHF is not required), Coastwatch
Securing a sea kayak to a roof rack
Learning a sea kayak rescue
We are planning some sea kayak pool sessions where you can learn how to do a self rescue. See
https://www.exetercanoe.co.uk/discussion/2032/friday-31-march-sea-kayak-pool-session-hopefully#latest
Please let me know if you like to work towards the award.
Comments
Hi Jane, I'd really like to do the SK award by the end of this year. Would it be useful to capture where people feel they are weak? I am fairly confident/ competent with everything above accept for need practice with the following:
Hi Jane, I would like to work towards achieving the award. I did training last year but I’m not sure if it was registered as being a part the BC award scheme.
Hi Jane, I too would like to work towards achieving the award. Thanks.
Hi Jane, I would like to work towards this award. Thanks
I would be interested in this- steve H
Yes I do want to develop my skills
I am interested but I am generally not around in the summer so it may not work out…..