Flat Water Sit-in Kayak Qualifications

Scope of Leadership

• This qualification will provide the outdoor recreation sector with individuals who are able to operate independently under indirect supervision, and lead participants in a specific outdoor activity, where the emphasis is on safety, in low technical yet dynamic outdoor environments.
• Graduates of the Sit-on-top Kayaking strand will be able to plan, prepare for, organise and lead introductory sit-on-top kayaking activities on flat-water

Learning Outcomes

1. Assess and respond to a Sit-on-top kayaking emergency
2. Demonstrate personal skills in Sit-on-top kayaking
3. Develop a plan for leading an outdoor experience for a group within defined operating scope
4. Lead an outdoor activity under indirect supervision within an organisation safety management system
5. Review and evaluate  leadership of an outdoor recreation  experience

Topics Include

• emergency care situation response
• identifying and managing risks 
• safety management 
• organisation’s safety management system 
• leave No Trace principles
• local iwi and hapū, including culturally significant sites such as wahi tapu and land access issues
• interpretive information on natural history, flora and fauna and the uniqueness of the environment in which the adventure activity occurs.
• communicating information, including briefing and debriefing and skill requirements in accordance with organisational requirements
• responsibilities and operating scope of the leader role
• leadership styles and rapport with participants
• participants equipment 
• Activity plan including weather, client information, equipment, intentions, and timing
• leadership including managing safety, timeframes, resources and equipment for the activity and responding to participant needs

Qualification Delivery

Self-directed online learning

Teacher-directed online learning

Teacher-directed in-person training

Assessment Tasks

Prepare a plan to lead a group.

Demonstrate leadership skills

Demonstrate personal skills

Review and evaluate leadership

Prerequisites

The following outlines hours and experience that must be completed for the qualification to be awarded. We recommend participants start with all of these conditions met. You will need to provide a plan that clearly shows how you will demonstrate these conditions before the final date of the qualification.

At least 40 hours kayaking using a sit-on-top kayak on flat-water.

− At least 5 sessions additional experience as a co-leader or assistant leader using a sit-on-top kayak. A session is considered to be a minimum of an hour.

Environments must meet the following parameters:

− Lead sit-on-top kayaking activities on flat or sheltered water, including estuaries, river deltas, sheltered beaches, lakes, coastal inlets and swimming pools, when the wind strength and direction do not compromise the safety and purpose of the activity.

- Currents may be present when the flow and the hazards pose no greater risk than flat-water.