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Introduction
Holders of this award may be considered to be capable of leading unsupported
expedition groups of up to 8 people in laden canoes on up to grade 2 moving
water and on exposed open water with fetches of up to 3 miles.
Prerequisites
Candidates should:
- Hold or be up to a minimum
of BCU 4 Star standard. Where a 4 Star award is not held then a letter
from their Area Rep stating that they are of a suitable standard should be
obtained.
- To show proof that they have
undertaken at least 3 x 72 hour journeys each to have been unsupported and
to include 2 nights camping out en route. The journeys must have been
undertaken on different rivers or different stretches of the same river
with the balance of water being towards grade 2 water. For open water,
candidates must have undertaken at least one crossing of open water with a
fetch of at least 3 miles with winds of force 3-4. Candidates must have
acted as trip deputy, with specific areas of responsibility, for at least
one of the above prequalifying trips.
Craft and Equipment
The assessment is a tripping award for touring and expedition canoes. All craft
are to be presented as being the candidates own and suitably outfitted for the
assessment. The candidate should present with all the appropriate equipment and
provisions to lead an unsupported 72 hour trip on open and moving water.
The Assessment
- The assessment may be taken
as either a solo or tandem award. When taken as a tandem award,
candidates’ practical skills will be assessed in both the bow and stern of
the boat.
- Candidates may choose to
take either the open water or moving water sections of the award and
receive a logbook endorsement or both sections of the award and receive
the full award.
- The full assessment is to
take place over a minimum of 2 days and 1 over night camp. Candidates
seeking only logbook endorsement of one section of the award will be
assessed over 1 full day and an over night camp. They will then be
accredited with the status of Trip Leader (Open Water) or (Moving Water)
as appropriate. This will enable candidates to take a modular approach to
obtaining the award, however the preferred route is via a single
assessment wherever possible.
Open Water
- Open Water. Be able
to demonstrate the ability to paddle across, against and with the wind on
open water with a fetch of at least 3 miles. With force 3-4 winds.
- Sailing. Candidates
should demonstrate both:
- The ability to safely sail
downwind with either a specialised or improvised rig.
- The ability to safely sail an
improvised raft down wind.
- Candidates should be able
to explain the basic, theoretical, principals of running against and
across the wind.
Moving Water
- Paddling. Candidates
should be able to show full mastery of a wide variety of strokes and be
able to safely descend, ascend and manoeuvre a laden canoe on grade 2
water making maximum use of river features.
- Lining. Candidates
should be able to track their boat up a 50m section of grade 2 water
showing the ability to manoeuvre the boat around obstacles
and to make maximum use of river features.
- Tracking. Candidates
should be able to line their boat over 50m down a grade 2 section of water
showing the ability to manoeuvre the boat around obstacles and to make
maximum use of river features.
- Poling. Candidates
should be able to pole their laden boat up a grade 2 rapid.
- Snubbing. Candidates
should be able to snub their laden boat down a grade 2 rapid.
Leadership.
- Theory.
- Group Dynamics. Candidates
should be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of group dynamics and
its implications for planning and leading trips. Candidates should also be
able to discuss how they might spot and defuse potential problem areas
within a group.
- Practice.
- River Strategies. Candidates
should be able to demonstrate the ability to lead a group safely on grade
2 water and be able to deploy a range of river strategies that are
appropriate to the group, and conditions encountered. Candidates should
be conversant with the 4 white water safety and rescue principals of:
Prevention, Line of Sight, Clean Rope and Position of Maximum Usefulness.
- Open Water Strategies.
Candidates should be able to demonstrate the ability to lead a group
safely on open water with a fetch of at least 3 miles in force 3-4 winds
and be able to deploy a range of strategies that are appropriate to the
group, and conditions encountered.
- Navigation.
- Open Water. Candidates
should demonstrate the ability to navigate and plot a course on open water
during daylight hours using an appropriate scale map and be able to locate
their position within 100M using map, compass and ground features.
- Moving Water. Candidates
should demonstrate the ability to navigate on moving water during daylight
hours using an appropriate scale map and be able to locate their position
within 100M using map, compass and ground features.
Expedition Logistics
- Planning.
- Theory. Candidates should
demonstrate a clear understanding of route setting and escape routes, use
of maps, books and trip reports for pre-planning purposes and be able to
set up and co-ordinate access and egress points and appropriate recovery
actions at the end of a trip.
- Pre-Trip Planning Paper.
Candidates will be given the location for the assessment trip and will be
required to present an outline plan for the trip as if they were leading
it for the whole period. The plan should be of sufficient detail to ensure
that if it is used it would be a workable plan and one that a group might
be able to use to prepare for and execute such a trip.
- Food.
- Have a clear understanding
of food hygiene and be able to produce a written realistic, balanced and
varied menu for a group for a 72 hour trip as well as provision themselves
for the period of the assessment.
- Communications.
- Candidates should be able
to demonstrate a clear understanding of communication issues that effect
an unsupported group travelling within the UK for 72 hours. They should be
in a position to quickly contact the appropriate emergency or rescue
authorities should the need arise.
Campcraft
Candidates should be able to:
- Identify suitable sites for
both small and large groups and have a clear understanding of the
legislation regarding access to both water and land.
- Demonstrate a clear understanding
of the different types of stoves and their respective advantages and
disadvantages.
- Demonstrate the ability to
light an open fire in good, dry conditions and demonstrate a range of
methodologies to contain the fire.
- Candidates should present
with the appropriate tentage for a 72 hr trip and be able to erect and
have knowledge of tent maintenance.
First Aid
Attend and pass a recognised 8 hr First Aid Course. The pass certificate is to
be in date at the time of assessment and for the award to remain valid the
first aid qualification must remain in date.
Safety & Rescue Skills
To hold or be conversant with all the skills within the Palm River Safety
Initiative. Where the Palm Award is not held the assessor will ask to see the
necessary skills demonstrated over the assessment period.
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