Paddle Canada River Kayak Program Manual

On this Page

1. Program Overview
2. River Kayak Program Recent Changes
3. Key Policies for New Instructors
4. Acknowledgements

Skills Stream

• Flatwater River Kayak Skills
• Beginner River Kayak Skills
• Intermediate River Kayak Skills
• Advanced River Kayak Skills

Instructor Stream

• Flatwater River Kayak Instructor
• Beginner River Kayak Instructor
• Intermediate River Kayak Instructor
• Advanced River Kayak Instructor

Instructor Trainer Stream

• Flatwater River Kayak Instructor Trainer
• Beginner River Kayak Instructor Trainer
• Intermediate River Kayak Instructor Trainer
• Advanced River Kayak Instructor Trainer

Program Overview

The River Kayaking Program includes nationally recognized certifications in five skill levels and four instructor levels, earned through course participation.

A new whitewater kayaker would begin instruction at the Flatwater River Kayak level, concentrating on kayak fundamentals before moving on to a mastery of the skills required for safe and enjoyable whitewater experiences.

River Kayak Program Recent Changes

See a complete list of recent changes to the program.

Key Policies for New Instructors

New instructors should take note of these key polices before running your first course or clinic. All instructors must make themselves familiar with our complete list of policies as well.

• Assessment Guidelines for Skill Courses Learn how to apply the pass, weak, or fail evaluation system on skills courses including the use of conditional passes.
• Course Administration Policies Learn about the various policies and requirements related to course registration and reporting.
• Code of Conduct for Instructors and Volunteers Learn about the code of conduct, developed to foster a safe, inclusive, and healthy paddling environments for all course participants and instructors.
• First Aid Certification Requirements and Standards Learn about the first aid certification requirements that all Paddle Canada Instructors must meet and keep up-to-date.

• Intoxicants Policy Learn about your responsibilities related to Paddle Canada's Intoxicants Policy.
• Paddle Canada Accident Policies Learn about your responsibilities in the event of an accident on a Paddle Canada course.
• Policies and Definitions Pertaining to Course Roles Learn about the various course roles on in skills, instructor and instructor trainer courses.

Acknowledgements

This Paddle Canada River Kayaking Program is the product of years of commitment by kayaking enthusiasts from across Canada. It was through the dedicated efforts of several individuals interested in the development of a national program that would produce safe, competent, and knowledgeable recreational kayakers. To those individuals, Paddle Canada extends a sincere “thank you”.

The process undertaken for the development of this program included the review of existing recreational kayaking programs from kayaking organizations in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The initial draft was forwarded to interested kayakers across Canada. Upon review of the comments received, the subsequent draft was also widely circulated. The resulting comments were reviewed before the final draft was completed by the Paddle Canada River Kayaking Committee and for subsequent approval by the Paddle Canada Board of Directors in October 1998.

This current edition incorporates the collective experience gained by paddlers, instructors, and instructor trainers since 1998. The River Kayaking Program Development Committee continues to work to refine and clarify the River Kayaking Program and this manual.