Whitewater Instructor

Holders of this award are qualified to instruct and facilitate the development of whitewater paddling skills and knowledge on Grade 2 water and guide groups on Grade 3.

Prerequisite

• Flatwater Instructor Award
• Whitewater Skills Award
• A minimum of 15 days of paddling on Grade 2 whitewater
• A minimum of five river trips on Grade 3 water, using at least three different venues

Corequisites

Whitewater Rescue 2

Skill component

Demonstrate their ability to model the following on Grade 2 water:

Entering and exiting their kayak or canoe from an eddy
• Use efficient basic strokes to control their kayak or canoe
• Use efficient power strokes
  • forward strokes
  • reverse strokes
• Use efficient directional strokes:
  • forward and reverse sweep strokes
  • bow draw
  • draw strokes
  • stern rudder
• Use safe, effective support strokes, using both blade faces
• Ferry glide:
  • forwards
  • reverse
• Mixed strokes: bow draw to forward stroke combination
• Break into eddies out of the current
• Break out of eddies into the current
• Use combinations of strokes when negotiating a rapid
• Edge the craft to maintain stability
• Use edging and body position to control the kayak or canoe
• Use water features for advantage to assist in turning and crossing currents
• Read water to determine a safe route through a rapid
• Follow a pre-determined route through a rapid
• Techniques for negotiating common river hazards
• Roll, using a range of techniques
• Rescue techniques for Whitewater Rescue Level 2.

Knowledge component

Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the following:

• Australian Canoeing:
  • AC Structure and Award Scheme
  • AC Safety Guidelines, AC Minimal Impact Guidelines
• State canoeing organisations and clubs
• Relationships with other water users
• Awareness and consideration of water management and land access issues at given sites
• Risk management as applicable for the context of the activities, environment, venues and participants
• Development of kayaking and canoeing as a recreation or sport through history
• Whitewater paddling and equipment: range, applications and design features
• Recent developments in whitewater paddling and equipment
• Stroke kinetics
• A wide range of sources of information for weather, river heights and river trips
• River features and hazards of Grade 2 rivers
• How to grade rivers according to the International River Grading System
• Basic injury prevention in whitewater paddling
• Signs, prevention and treatment for hypothermia, sunburn, dehydration and shock
• Selecting and maintaining a suitable temporary or overnight site
• Teaching techniques to develop skills
• Methods for identifying and correcting common errors
• Delivering theory training sessions
• Training trainers.

Experience component

Produce a verified log showing the following over at least a two year period:

• Fifteen days of paddling on Grade 2 whitewater
• Five river trips on Grade 3 water, using at least two different venues
• Working in an instructional capacity on at least three occasions.

Communication component

Demonstrate the ability to:

• Establish a relationship with the participants that assists them to feel safe, included and comfortable
• Establish and maintain an effective communication system within the group on whitewater
• Deliver instructions in a clear and concise manner
• Provide explanations that are in a logical sequence, using techniques such as imagery to emphasise the main points
• Explain, in overall terms, whitewater skills and techniques
• Explain the components of skills and techniques
• Provide clear instructions of how to negotiate a rapid using appropriate terminology
• Encourage questioning by the participants
• Provide constructive feedback in a positive manner
• Impart knowledge about paddling according to requirements of Whitewater Skill Award and Whitewater Instructor Award.

Leadership component

Demonstrate the ability to lead a group of paddlers on a Grade 2 whitewater session, showing the following leadership skills:

Plan and conduct a whitewater course
• Arrange and coordinate staff or assistants
• Plan and coordinate logistics, including for venue use and transport
• Conduct hazard identification and risk management for the sessions
• 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
• Check participant equipment and clothing to ensure suitability and safety
• Deliver briefings that fully inform participants of the session objectives and content, hazards and safety instructions
• Monitor participant well-being throughout the session
• Adapt sessions as necessary in changing circumstances
• Carry, and use as required, group safety, first aid and emergency equipment including: towline, throwbag, knife, Prusik loops, karabiner, and split paddle
• Set up safety on a rapid as appropriate
• Manage group movement on the water to maintain an acceptable level of safety
• Manage any rescue situation
• Coordinate initial response to emergency situations until other authorities take control.