Flatwater (Inland) Guide

Holders of the Flatwater Guide Award are qualified to lead or guide trips on inland waters such as open lakes and rivers (but not on whitewater or sea) in controlled conditions for inland kayaking and canoeing.

Prerequisite

Flatwater Skills

Skill component

Guide groups in flatwater paddling:

• Personal skills:
  • model flatwater skill set efficiently and safely
• Conduct flatwater kayak or canoe activities including trips in winds to 16 knots, in flat sheltered waters:
  • arrange group food and equipment
  • manage the launching and landing of a group of novice paddlers
  • manage a group of novice paddlers on a trip
  • manage multiple rescues in moderate conditions
  • manage tows in moderate conditions
  • run an overnight campsite.

Knowledge component

Demonstrate the knowledge to plan and conduct a flatwater trip:

• Australian Canoeing
• AC’s role, membership structure, your rights and responsibilities –
• Safety Guidelines, Minimal Impact Guidelines, Risk Management Policy, Incident reporting requirements
• Hazard identification and risk management program for a flatwater trip (including expeditions)
• Plan flatwater activities including multi-day self contained expeditions
• Appropriate communications systems and devices
• Interpret weather for a flatwater trip
• Licensing, permits and other legal and behavioral laws and requirements
• Use and maintain an overnight campsite
• Knowledge and maintenance of craft
• Maintaining log books
• Minimal environmental impact.

Experience component

Produce a verified log showing over the previous two years at least:

• Three guided flatwater activities of at least three hours duration as an observer under training or as an assistant
• Guide One overnight program as an observer under training or as an assistant Guide.

Communication component

Demonstrate the ability to:

• Brief a group of novices on:
• purpose and duration of trip 
• expected conditions 
• correct posture 
• setting up the craft
• strokes as required 
• group movement requirements 
• launching and landing 
• actions in the event of an emergency
• Manage a flatwater trip:
• establish and maintain an effective communication system within the group on flatwater
• deliver directions in a clear and concise manner
• debrief.

Leadership component

Demonstrate the ability to manage a group of novices in activities and on multiday expeditions:

• Coordinate group packing
• Manage launch and landings
• Monitor and manage group welfare
• Manage route and group movement based on prevailing conditions
• Manage multiple capsizes and emergencies
• Coordinate overnight campsite activities.