Leading and Instructing (Excepts from Terry's book, 'Canoeing Down Under')

Requirements of a Leader
White Water Leadership
Requirements of an Instructor
Trip Leader
Safety Equipment

Requirements of a Leader

• Hold a Senior First Aid and Resuscitation qualification
• Be more highly skilled and experienced than the group being led. Preferably an accredited instructor
• Be familiar with the stretch of water to be paddled and be aware of any potential hazards
• Make sure prospective participants are aware of the water conditions prior to the trip
• Ensure that the group members can swim confidently and are fit enough for the planned trip
• Ensure that the group members wear a PFD and other appropriate canoeing gear, and that spectacles/sun glasses are secure
• Make sure participants have sufficient skills to tackle the stretch of water being paddled, and have suitable equipment for the prevailing water and weather conditions
• Make sure that the ratio between competent to less competent paddlers is satisfactory
• Paddle in the best possible position to perform responsibilities of a leader or instructor.
• Be skilful at assessing and responding to emergency and rescue situations. Basic First Aid knowledge and a comprehensive First Aid kit is essential, as is the equipment to carry out emergency procedures.
• Be aware of the condition of the paddlers at all times e.g. anyone showing signs of tiredness, early symptoms of hypothermia, or having difficulty coping with the water conditions
• Know where the nearest telephone, ranger stations and exit and entry points are along the route.
• Always consider the impact that the group will have on the environment. For example, ensure no rubbish is left behind, as large groups camping in a new area can easily destroy and scar the environment

White Water Leadership

The following points are particularly relevant to white water conditions:

• The leader and assistants must be highly skilled and experienced for the white water conditions chosen
• The leader should ensure that all participants are aware of the overall group plan for the trip and the general characteristics of the river. Participants should also be conversant with the system of communication signals to be used
• Participants should never be out of sight of the leader or assistants
• Team work is absolutely crucial
• All participants should be aware of the location of rescue and First Aid equipment
• If the group is too large it may be necessary to sub?divide into smaller independent groups with an overall plan
• An assistant, or an experienced paddler, should be in the lead boat to reconnoitre all rapids and doubtful parts of the river and to set the course. The lead boat should not be passed
• The leader should be in a position on the rapid near difficult spots to ensure paddlers descend the rapid safely. (I prefer to vary my position on the rapid, always positioning myself where I feel the paddlers will have the most trouble.)
• An experienced assistant equipped and trained for rescue, should bring up the rear (tail end Charlie). Other competent paddlers or assistants should be positioned strategically amongst the rest of the group
• There should only be ONE paddler in a difficult rapid at any one time. Participants should descend rapids in single file and should not lose visual contact with the person behind. Without endangering themselves, they should be ready to point out the safest route or potential dangers to the paddler following behind.

Where applicable, throw lines should be positioned along the rapid to provide `rescue cover' for anyone who capsizes. An experienced paddler should be at the bottom of a rapid to rescue any capsized paddlers.

On difficult rapids or tea tree sections, it may be necessary to vacate the kayaks and identify the difficult sections from the riverbank. Some paddlers may decide to portage if the rapid is beyond their canoeing capabilities. The leader may advise others to do the same. On these types of rapids, the leader must consider positioning rescuers near dangerous spots, on the riverbank, and in boats on the water.

Consideration must be given to other groups and paddlers on the river.

Requirements of an Instructor

An instructor is a paddler who has undertaken a canoe/kayak instructors course and is qualified to teach skills and lead trips, to the standard recognised by Australian Canoeing. Instructors should have considerable knowledge of river, sea or lake conditions undertaken and have expertise in safety, leadership, First Aid, river rescue and be able to plan sessions and trips.

Instructors need to be safety conscious, enthusiastic, patient, approachable, flexible and adaptable. They must also be able to give clear concise instructions, demonstrate skills correctly and identify and rectify faults.

· Basic points to consider when instructing

• ·Consider the venue carefully and the effect the wind and water conditions will have when trying to teach. The less wind, the easier it is to instruct and keep control of the group
• Ensure that students wearing spectacles/sun glasses have them secured
• Can your students hear you? Consider the noise factor from the wind, moving water, other people or traffic. You may have to speak loudly and clearly
• Ensure the students are not looking into the sun when demonstrating stroke technique
• Limit the area. Have boundaries to ensure students are always within easy reach of the instructor
• Carry a whistle to attract the students' attention.

Instructor/Student Ratio:

Student ratio is dependent on the venue, water conditions and instructional experience. For example, an experienced instructor should be able to instruct a group of 9 kayaks or 6 double Canadian canoes on flat water. The same instructor should be capable of taking 5 kayaks or 3 double Canadian canoes on more difficult moving water, and up to grade 2 white water. It is always preferable to have 2 instructors (or 1 instructor and 1 trainee instructor) when teaching on flat water, and at least two experienced instructors when teaching in white water.

A Trip Leader

A trip leader is usually someone who has taken the responsibility to lead a trip down a river, rather than teach particular skills and strokes. Very often experienced members from canoe clubs take the responsibility of acting as leaders on club trips. A trip leader working commercially should be a qualified instructor and be highly skilled and experienced.

Leader/Student Ratio

For Moving Water/White Water Trips the student ratio is dependent on the type of craft (ie slalom kayak, down river kayak, or Canadian canoe), water conditions, experience of leaders or instructors, the standard of the students and whether the group is paddling in a remote area.

• In easy moving water (up to grade 1), the ratio may be between 1:4 and 1:6.
• On rivers that have difficult sections of rapids, or trees (ie grade 2 water), there should be a minimum of two experienced paddlers in any group and a ratio between 2:4 and 2:7.
• For lengthy, remote, or more difficult trips, there should be 3 or more experienced paddlers.

Safety Equipment

· All members of the party should be encouraged to carry:

• First Aid Kit
• Emergency Kit
• Throw bag/line 15 or 20m long
• Knife
• Wind and waterproof matches. Magnesium block and flint
• Solid fuel tablets
• Spare clothing
• Spare paddle
• Emergency food (high in energy). and water
• Whistle
• Sun screen, chap stick (lip protection)
• Money (coins for telephone)
• Repair tape
• The following items should be carried with each party
• Repair kit.
• Small stove. (Hot drink in flask.)
• Map and compass
• Individual tow lines for leaders
• Rescue Equipment.
• If possible, a leader should carry a bivvy bag, a synthetic full zip sleeping bag and a down jacket (hypothermia treatment)