Paddle Australia (PA) Flat-water Kayak & Canoe
Guide / Instructor Courses

Flat-water Guide

This course is for people seeking employment where the the group under instruction will leave the immediate launch area such as an overnight or full-day excursion. Holders of the Flat-water Guide Qualification are qualified to lead or guide on Flat water such as lakes, dams, slow moving rivers, etc. This is recommended for activities such as camps, school trips and experiences.

See the Assessment Guidelines (links to Paddle Australia website):

Flat-water Guide (Kayak)
Flat-water Guide (Canoe)
Flat-water Guide (SOT)
Flat-water Guide (SUP)

Flat-water Instructor

Holders of the Flat-water Instructor Qualification are qualified to guide and instruct groups of novices on day based activities on Flat water areas such as lakes, dams, slow moving rivers, etc. An Instructor will have a deeper understanding of paddling technique and skills development and has been assessed to a higher level than guides. 

See the Assessment Guidelines (links to Paddle Australia website):

Flat-water Instructor (Kayak)
Flat-water Instructor (Canoe)
Flat-water Instructor (SOT)
Flat-water Instructor (SUP)

Topics covered are those detailed in the Assessment Guidelines:

• Paddling Skills and Group Management

• Knowledge of paddling craft, gear, navigation, weather

• Trip planning, float plans, hazards and risk management

• Paddle Australia role & Qualification Scheme (PAQS) overview

• Minimal impact practice

• Communications and briefings

• Required experience (Log book in PA's PaddleLog)

• Leadership

• Theory requirements (Test & Project)

Paddle Craft & Equipment

You need to decide which craft you will be assessed in, as the award is craft specific.  If you are teaching/guiding people in kayaks, you will need the “Kayak” award.  You may hold any or all of the canoe, kayak, sit-on-top or SUP qualification in a PAQS award, where available, however paddling skills will need to be assessed in those particular craft types.

It is expected that participants will supply their own equipment including kayak/canoe/SOT/SUP, life jacket, paddles (including spare), spray deck (for enclosed cockpits), safety gear and helmet. East Coast Kayaking can provide any or all of this equipment - please notify us at the time of booking if you need to hire equipment.

Paddle clothing needs to be suitable for the conditions and environment - to protect you from sun, wind and cold. Participants should come presented as a Guide/Instructor with relevant safety equipment, repair kit and first aid kit.

Industry Standards

Participants should be familiar with these documents in advance of the intake day and be able to apply them:

- Paddle Australia Safety Guidelines - Core General Practice Guide  - Guidance for common good practice for all adventure activities.

- Australian Adventure Activities Standards and associated Good Practice Guides

• Australian Adventure Activity Standard (AAAS) PDF

• Core General Practice Guide – Guidance for common good practice for all adventure activities.

• Flat Water - Inland water paddle-craft General Practice Guide

• Coastal, Enclosed, Sea and White Water - Enclosed & Coastal waters paddle-craft General Practice Guide

- Safe Transport Victoria - Victorian Recreational Boating Safety Handbook

What is Involved

All the Paddle Australia Qualification Scheme (PAQS) awards involve demonstrating a level of competency in paddling skills. In addition there is a knowledge component which may be assessed through observation, discussion in the course of the assessment day and by a written test. When you enrol course materials will be provided.

Your ability to communicate with your group is an important consideration for all candidates and for leaders, guides and instructors it is important to be able to deliver instructions and briefings in a clear and concise manner.

Your experience as a paddler should be recorded in PaddleLog (also available as an app) - the number of trips recorded and the environment (Flat water, enclosed, sea, whitewater etc) should meet the requirements of the Qualification by the time you are ready for assessment. For your intake session you should submit an extract of your logbook prior to the day so we can have an idea of your experience.

As part of your assessment, you will prepare a trip plan (or Instructional session for Instructor candidates) as a Project that reflects the level of qualification and environment. For more detail see the relevant Assessment Guideline.

See the Assessment Guidelines (links above) for details on all these requirements.

Flat Water Guide / Instructor Course Intake (1 day)

This full day course is designed to prepare you for assessment - we will see where you are at: skills, knowledge and leadership experience.

Location: Our Training Centre at 37 Jetty Road, Sandringham, with the practical component on the sheltered waters of Sandringham Harbour. 
Other locations for your private group / organisation can be arranged - contact us to discuss.

Duration: 9.00am - approx. 4.00pm in a scheduled class. Private Mentoring days can be organised as required.
Cost: $553.64pp scheduled course.
Price includes course registration with Paddle Australia.
Equipment hire - please specify type of craft when booking. Hires include Kayak/Canoe/SOT/SUP, paddle, life jacket and all safety gear. Additional cost applies.

Flat Water Guide / Instructor Course ASSESSMENT

The Intake weekend is for the training component - assessment will take place in a separate one day session, please discuss prior to booking your intake weekend. This assessment date can be a Private Tuition session at an agreed date if the scheduled dates do not suit you.

You need to complete the Assessment Day and then pay a registration fee (for the certification - payable directly to Paddle Australia) in order to complete your certification as a guide or instructor.

**It is strongly recommended that you have undertaken the intake course first.** You may have participated in some activities as observer under training of a Paddle Australia Guide/Instructor prior to assessment as part of your logbook component.

Location: Our Training Centre at 37 Jetty Road, Sandringham, with the practical component on the sheltered waters of Sandringham Harbour. Other locations for your private group / organisation can be arranged - contact us to discuss.
Duration: 1/2 day in a scheduled class.
Cost: $500.91pp in a scheduled class (+ booking fee). Note that additional re-sits / reviews incur an additional fee ($50).
Kayak/Canoe hire - please specify type of craft when booking. Hires include paddle, life jacket and all safety gear. Additional cost applies.
Registration of your completed qualification with Paddle Australia is separate and paid directly to Paddle Australia.

Assessment can also be undertaken through Private Tuition for a one day private session (at our Training Centre) - contact us to organise your assessment outside the scheduled dates.

Prior to booking you should check the assessment criteria for Flat-water Guide and Flat-water Instructor including logbook and first aid certificate requirements to ensure you can meet this within the available timeframe. The scheduled one day assessment is for Day Guide/Instructor. You may wish to undertake the Overnight Camping Endorsement if you are involved in school camps or overnight touring.

Endorsements

Guides, Instructors and candidates undertaking these qualifications, can add additional endorsements to their Qualification:

The Flat-water awards refer to flat, sheltered and/or undemanding waters with little current (tidal or river), no rapids and limited fetch. For waters that are a little more demanding, a Moving Water Endorsement is a qualification for Grade 1 water that is clearly moving and has hazards such as strainers and a degree of risk, but less than that of a Grade 2 river.

This endorsement is an addition to the PA Flat Water Guide and PA Flat Water Instructor awards and can be undertaken in conjunction with these qualifications or for candidates that already hold these awards. The holder of this qualification has demonstrated the skills and knowledge to guide groups of novices on Grade 1 water that is clearly moving and has hazards such as strainers and a degree of risk, but less than that of a Grade 2 river.

Where: Goulburn River (or similar - water level dependant)
Price:
Registration with Paddle Australia is separate and paid directly to Paddle Australia.

Download the Assessment Guides:
Moving Water Endorsement - Kayak
Moving Water Endorsement - Canoe
Moving Water Endorsement - SOT

It is a good idea to review your log book prior to attending, to ensure that you will meet the Experience requirements by assessment time.

The holder of this qualification has demonstrated the skills and knowledge to run multi-day and overnight activities. The holder of this qualification must have a current leadership qualification.

Download the Assessment Guide - Overnight Camping Endorsement
Contact us on info@eastcoastkayaking.com or 0410 329 090 to discuss if you wish to add the Overnight Camping endorsement to your Day Guide/Instructor qualification.

DATES and Locations

Contact us for Skills, Leader, Coastal Guide / Instructor, Enclosed Sea Guide / Instructor or Sea Guide / Instructor courses or if you would like to organise a course for your group at your own venue, on info@eastcoastkayaking.com or 0410 329 090.