Advanced Whitewater Instructor

Holders of this award are qualified to lead Grade 3 and above whitewater trips and instruct and facilitate the development of advanced whitewater paddling skills and knowledge to the level where the participants could obtain an Advanced Whitewater Instructor Award.

Prerequisite

• Participants must be over 18 years to obtain this award
  • Participants aged between 15 and 18 who fulfill the requirements of this award may be assessed and obtain a Junior Advanced Whitewater Instructor Award that automatically converts to a full award when they turn 18 years of age. Junior Whitewater Instructors must work under supervision from an adult Advanced Whitewater Instructor
• Whitewater Instructor Award
• Advanced Whitewater Skills Award
• A minimum of 15 days of paddling on Grade 3 whitewater
• A minimum of five river trips on Grade 4+ water, using at least three different venues.

Corequisites

• Whitewater Rescue 3

Skill component

Demonstrate the ability to model the following on Grade 3 water:

• Enter the water from the bank by seal launch or from a small eddy
• Exit the kayak or canoe from a small eddy
• Read water to determine a safe route through a rapid
• Follow a pre-determined route through a rapid
• Control the negotiation of a rapid by using eddies to stop, check others and look ahead
• Use a combination of moves to negotiate a rapid
• Use a range of river features to assist in achieving a desired trajectory
• Use edging and body movement to control craft
• Use accurate stroke placement to control trajectory
• Adjust forward stroke rate, length and power as required for advantage
• Boof drops
• Surf waves
• Negotiate of river hazards
• Use safe, effective support strokes, using both blade faces
• Roll, using a variety of techniques
• Whitewater Rescue Level 2 techniques.

Knowledge component

Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the following:

• Australian Canoeing:
  • AC Structure and Award Scheme
  • AC Safety Guidelines, AC Minimal Impact Guidelines
• Risk management as applicable for the context of the activities, environment, venues and participants
• River features and hazards of Grade 3+ rivers
• Communication devices for use in remote areas—satellite phones, EPIRBs, mobile phones
• Teaching techniques to develop advanced whitewater skills
• Teaching techniques to teach Whitewater Instructor courses
• Teaching techniques to teach River Rescue Level 2 courses
• Methods for identifying and correcting common errors in advanced whitewater skills.

Experience component

Produce a verified log book showing at least:

• A minimum of 15 days of paddling on Grade 3 whitewater
• A minimum of five river trips on Grade 4+ water, using at least three different venues
• Working in an instructional capacity in Grade 3 water on at least three occasions, with evidence that is consistent with direct assessment.

Communication component

Demonstrate the ability to:

• Establish and maintain an effective communication system within the group on Grade 3 whitewater
• Explain, in overall terms, advanced whitewater paddling skills and techniques
• Explain the components of advanced skills and techniques
• Explain, in overall terms, Whitewater Rescue Level 2 skills and techniques
• Explain the components of Whitewater Rescue Level 2 skills and techniques
• Provide clear instructions of how to negotiate a Grade 3 rapid using appropriate terminology
• Impart knowledge about paddling according to requirements of Advanced Whitewater Skill Award
• Teach Whitewater Instructor skills and knowledge.

Leadership component

Demonstrate the ability to perform the following within the context of Grade 3 whitewater:

• Plan, deliver and review a series of sequential learning experiences for a group of participants to facilitate skill development
• Plan, deliver and review single instructional sessions that achieve the set objectives for that session
• Conduct sessions that are stimulating, enjoyable and appropriate for the age and experience of the participants
• Coordinate group movement on the water to maintain an acceptable level of safety
• Modify planned activities as necessary to meet changing circumstances
• Coordinate responses to emergency situations until other authorities take control.