Kayaking

Open Water Kayaking

Assessment Overview: The OAG Open Water Kayaking Adventure Certification Courses (OWK401 to OWK405) teach and evaluate a participant’s ability to perform all of the skills listed along with demonstrating the required level of knowledge. The courses provide the participant with the opportunity to receive documentation or prove that the required level of kayaking and open water adventure abilities have been achieved.

Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC): Open Water Kayaking courses in particular are open to all individuals who acknowledge the ability to satisfy the following essential eligibility criteria:

Breathe independently (i.e., not require medical devices to sustain breathing)

Independently maintain sealed airway passages while under water

Independently hold head upright without neck / head support

Manage personal care independently

Follow instructions and effectively communicate independently.

Independently turn from face-down to face-up and remain floating face up while wearing a properly fitted life jacket.

Get on / off or in / out of a kayak independently

Independently get out and from under a capsized kayak

Remount or re-enter the kayak following deep water capsize independently or with a partner

Maintain a safe body position while attempting skills, activities and rescues listed in the appropriate Course Handbook, and have the ability to recognize and identify to others when such efforts would be unsafe given your personal situation

Course Essentials Costs Assessment

Course Content

Introduction, Expectations, & Logistics:
Welcome, introductions, paperwork
Student & instructor course expectations and limitations
Course itinerary & site logistics
Review waiver, assumption of risk, challenge by choice, medical disclosure
About the OAG
PFD policy (always wear on water)
Appropriate personal behaviour
No alcohol / substance abuse
Proper etiquette on & off the water
Respect private property
Practice Leave No Trace ethics

The Paddling Environment:

Wind
Waves
Weather
Water

Personal Preparation:

Personal ability
Swimming ability
Water comfort & confidence
Fitness, conditioning, and warm up
Safe paddle and boat handling
Safety and rescue considerations
Personal equipment (reviewed by Instructor)
In addition to learning hard skills, the importance of developing personal judgment and group responsibility increases on more difficult paddling venues.

Getting Started:

Warm-up and stretching
How to pick up a kayak safely
Car topping: loading and unloading, racks, straps
Launching and landing
Boarding, three points of contact, weight kept low, etc.
Posture, safety, comfort, effectiveness, rocking, balance
Water comfort and confidence
How to empty a kayak
Basic Terminology
Types of strokes: power, turning
Stroke components: catch, propulsion, recovery (CPR), control, correction
Safe and effective body usage

Equipment:

Life Jackets (PFDs): types, fit
Kayaks: types, materials, parts (including safety features such as flotation)
Paddles: types, materials, parts, length, blade size & shape, hand position.
Spray skirts: types and material
Care of equipment
Personal equipment: water, food, shoes, hat, sunscreen, bug repellent, sun glasses, eyeglass straps, protective clothing for heat or cold, sponge, bailer/pump, whistle, knife, light
Optional equipment and outfitting

Safety & Rescue:

Exercising judgment, safety as a state of mind.
Principles of Rescue
Priorities: first people, then boats, finally other gear
Responsibilities of the victim
Responsibilities of the rescuers
Responsibilities of the group
Types of Rescue
- Self-Rescue
- Boat assisted rescue, towing or bulldozing a tired swimmer, towing or bulldozing a capsized boat
- Shoreline Rescue: Extension rescues, use of throw ropes/bags

Manoeuvres:

J-lean / Heeling the boat
Paddling in a reasonably straight line.
Spins
Stopping
Ferries
Eddy Turns
Peel Outs
Moving Abeam

Strokes:

Forward
Back (stopping)
Draw
Sculling draw
Sweep (including Stern Draw)
Reverse Sweep
Rudder

Low Brace Rescues:

Self-Rescue
Swimming in current
Boat Emptying
Assisted Rescue
From shore
- Extension
- Rescue ropes
From boat
- Bulldozing
- Towing

Conclusion & Wrap Up:

Group debrief / Individual feedback
Course limitations
Importance of First Aid & CPR
Importance of additional instruction, practice, experience
Importance of appropriate level of safety & rescue training
Demo advanced manoeuvres
Life sport / Paddling options
Handouts / Reference materials
OAG Membership forms
Course evaluation
Participation cards

The Open Water Kayaking Adventure Certification Course costs 1,000-GHC and covers transportation to the training locations, food, water, training fees and use of group gear and equipment.

Candidates are expected to pack the following in order to survive the training:

A 40-litre backpack
A 10-litre day pack
1 good outdoor tent
A pair of good hiking boots
Outdoor walking sandals
A cap or hat
3 water bottles
3 sets of outdoor clothing
1 sleeping bag or thick blanket
1 sleeping mat
Wash kit – small towel, sponge and soap
1 bowl for meals
A can of insect repellent
A box of matchsticks
Rain coat
1 machete
Hiking poles
A compass

Participants must be able to perform all strokes, manoeuvres, rescues, and skills in the appropriate venue and for their corresponding Adventure Guiding certification. In addition the participant must demonstrate the appropriate level of knowledge for the skill assessment level.

Open Water Kayaking

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