Pre-course Information

Read and be familiar with the:

• Sea Kayak 1 Scope & Syllabus
• Assessments – What to expect
• Assessments – Feedback & Results Process

Assignment - Scenario

You will be given a scenario and asked to plan an excursion based on the information given. This will include a trip plan with contingencies, hazard identification, aims and objectives, and how you would source weather and access information.

Applicable components from the NZOIA Sea Kayak 1 Syllabus:

• Section 5: Demonstrate navigation and location awareness skills
• Section 6: Demonstrate camp-craft skills for established site
• Section 7: Apply nautical and weather interpretation and forecasting skills
• Section 11: Plan and prepare for a multi-day trip
• Section 13: Apply effective safety management  

Instructional skills and subjects

Prepare to teach the other candidates on your assessment on topics covered under Section 15 of the syllabus.  Each candidate will deliver one 30-minute instructional session on a skill and one 30-minute teaching session on a subject.

Applicable components from the NZOIA Sea Kayak 1 Syllabus:

• Section 14: Prepare and deliver teaching sessions
• Section 15: Teach sea kayak skills

Surfing Footage

It is often the case that we do not have appropriate surf for the surfing assessment on the first day. Candidates are required to provide a video demonstrating the following surfing skills. A list of skills required will be communicated prior to the course.

Applicable components from the NZOIA Sea Kayak 1 Syllabus:

• Section 3: Demonstrate sea kayak skills in a single sea kayak

The following will likely be covered on Day 1, depending on environmental conditions and other considerations at the time of the assessment:

Introductory Session

• Welcome, introductions and outline of course
• Assessment process
• Safety management
• Overall logistics
• Feedback and results process
• Theoretical knowledge: multichoice quiz and weather tests
• Questions and answers

Applicable components from the NZOIA Sea Kayak 1 Syllabus:

• Section 1: Describe the development of sea kayaking
• Section 2: Demonstrate the care and correct use and repair of sea kayak equipment and clothing
• Section 5: Demonstrate navigation and location awareness skills
• Section 6: Demonstrated camp-craft skills for established sites
• Section 7: Apply nautical and weather interpretation and forecasting skills
• Section 9: Demonstrate environmental knowledge and interpretation skills
• Section 10: Understand connections between te ao Māori and the marine environment

Personal Technical Competence

• Personal paddling e.g. forward paddle, back paddle, stopping, sweep strokes, draw strokes, bracing and edging.
• Rescue skills e.g. self-rescues, towing, assisted, unassisted, contact tows, long tows (a double sea kayak required for client rescues)
• Personal surfing skills includes; stern rudders, bracing and rolling in the surf

Applicable components from the NZOIA Sea kayak 1 Syllabus:

• Section 3: Demonstrate sea kayak skills in a single sea kayak
• Section 4: Demonstrate safe and efficient rescue skills from a single sea kayak

The following will likely be covered on Day 2, depending on environmental conditions and other considerations at the time of the assessment:

• Check and discuss overnight equipment and packing boats for trips
• Skills instruction with fellow candidates demonstrating instruction and teaching abilities (60 minutes)

Applicable components from the NZOIA Sea kayak 1 Syllabus:

• Section 1: Describe the development of sea kayaking
• Section 2: Demonstrate the care and correct use and repair of sea kayak equipment and clothing
• Section 5: Demonstrate navigation and location awareness skills
• Section 7: Apply nautical and weather interpretation and forecasting skills
• Section 9: Demonstrate environmental knowledge and interpretation skills
• Section 10: Understand connections between te ao Māori and the marine environment
• Section 14: Prepare and deliver teaching sessions
• Section 15: Teach sea kayak skills

The following will likely be covered on Day 3, depending on environmental conditions and other considerations at the time of the assessment:

Manage and instruct a group on a guided sea kayak trip

Applicable components from the NZOIA Sea kayak 1 Syllabus:

• Section 8: Role model and promote accepted environmental practices
• Section 9: Demonstrate environmental knowledge and interpretation skills
• Section 10: Understand connections between te ao Māori and the marine environment
• Section 12: Lead and manage a group during an instructional day trip
• Section 13: Apply effective safety management
• Section 14: Prepare and delivery teaching sessions
• Section 15: Teach sea kayak skills

Assessors may direct candidates on additional instruction or skills that they require demonstrated. This may occur because the assessors need to gather more evidence of candidates’ performance.

Debrief and Assessment result with the Assessor