STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 I.      Know and understand the relationship of different boat designs to their appropriate uses such as flatwater, easy river, touring, whitewater, and specialty (slalom, freestyle, and others).

 II.     List the required safety equipment needed for every type of craft covered in class.

 III.    Know and apply the full spectrum of all of the required paddling strokes in at least two types of water craft eg. canoes, oar boats, kayaks, paddle rafts, and inflatables.

 IV.     Demonstrate control of an approved craft by successfully completing an obstacle/control course on flatwater.

 V.      Demonstrate boat control and knowledge of basic river hydrology by successfully negotiating a segment of a river in an approved craft either with partner(s) or solo.

 VI.     Apply good judgement and decision-making skills when deciding how to run or portage a segment of river based on personal experience.

 VII.    Employ trip planning skills including river information, permits, fees, regulations, and the proper selection of equipment, clothing, food, and logistics.

 VIII.   Demonstrate water safety skills and the four basic categories of water-rescue skills.

 IX.     Successfully complete a multi-day (or multi-segment) river trip.

 X       Apply the knowledge of how to conduct small private river trips of equal or lesser difficulty.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.      Introduction to Paddling

         A.      Types of paddling: lake; easy river (moving water); whitewater.

         B.      Types of equipment: canoes; kayaks; rafts; miscellaneous crafts.

         C.      Transportation of boats: car topping; trailering.

         D.      Orienting the paddler to the type of craft: seat placement; boat displacement; maneuverability of craft.

         E.      Orientation to safety on the water: theories of self-rescue and rescue of other boaters/swimmers

 II.     Introduction to Paddling Techniques

         A.      Modern paddling theories - kinesthetic awareness.

         B.      Full spectrum of paddling strokes.

 III.    Introduction to Paddling Strokes

         A.      Parts of a stroke: catch phase; power phase; recovery.

         B.      Types of strokes: power; correction; stopping.

         C.      Specific uses of strokes: flatwater: moving water; whitewater.

 IV.     Calm-water Practice *

         A.      Importance and techniques of specific warm-ups/stretches.

         B.      Specific strokes: forward; back; draws; prys; sweeps; duffek; braces; offside strokes; crossover strokes; slice/pitch strokes; galloway position; portegee technique.

         C.      Moving water maneuvers: spins; sideslips; bracing; eddy turns; peelouts into fast currents.

 V.      Rescue Techniques/Practice

         A.      Principles of rescues - orientation to safety.

         B.      Types of rescues: shore to swimmer; boat to swimmer; boat to boat; swimmer to swimmer; fixed lines; dynamic lines.

         C.      Effects of cold water immersion; treatment of injuries.

 VI.     River Running Techniques

         A.      Fundamentals of river currents.

         B.      Participants responsibilities of river reading.

         C.      Trip leader`s responsibilities in river running.

         D.      How to plan a safe river trip/expedition.

         E.      Federal/local permit systems.

         F.      Ethics of river running/camping.

 VII.    Moving Water Practice**

         A.      Practical applications for all strokes.

         B.      Development of strokes on moving water.

         C.      Basic maneuvers: ferries (upstream/downstream); eddy turns with and without obstructions; peelouts; S turns; self-rescues; group rescues.

 VIII.   Resources for River Running in Colorado and Beyond

         A.      Lakes; appropriate rivers; organizations; clubs; retailers; guide books.

 IX.     * to be practiced in the field on lakes or easy rivers

 X       ** to be practiced on Class I or Class II rivers