Introduction & Itinerary FWG

Flatwater Guide Course                 

Last updated by Ian Royds 9/2/2023

Introduction

A FWG Canoe leadership Course will be held at………………. (site TBA), for those wanting to develop their skills and competencies towards a Paddle Australia Qualification (FW Guide - kayak), Moving Water Endorsement (MWE) and Overnight Camping Endorsement (OCE).  Assessment will be both informal and formal with an online quiz and a written project to completed and sent to the assessor Ian Royds preferably before the course.

Things To Do Beforehand

·       Read the Flatwater Instructor and Guide Learner Manual available on the PNSW website.  

·       A quiz and project will be sent after registration. Please do the Written Project below and NOT the online one as it is more relevant to your needs. Both must be completed before the course and sent to your assessor (Ian Royds).

·       Bring food and drink for the day, as there will be little spare time.

·       Bring a canoe and canoeing gear including PFD, helmet (optional), footwear, clothing appropriate for swimming, spare clothing etc. Make sure your craft is safe with hand loops, buoyancy etc.

·       First Aid Kit and any personal medications

·       Bring a tow rope and a simple Rescue Kit if you have one. (If you are seeking a qualification then you must be able to demonstrate that you are ‘ready to go’ as a Guide on the day of assessment.

·       Register and pay the course fee to PaddleNSW beforehand to secure a place.

·       Pen and clipboard

·       Send your ‘Paddlers Logbook’ to me or download onto the Paddle Australia (PA) Paddle Log app and any other relevant certificates as the assessor must sight these before a qualification can be given.

·       On-water snacks

·       Please bring tolerance and good humour as I will be trying my best to accommodate everyone’s needs in the limited time available. People come with different competencies.

Getting There

We will meet at ……………………………………………. 8.30am for a 9am start.

Flatwater Guide/Instructor Assessment Project

Last updated 9/2/2023 by Ian Royds

Introduction

In addition to the online quiz this assessment task is designed as an evidence tool to complement your on-water assessment. It must be your original work and relevant to your situation. Submit it along with your logbook before the course to ensure that you get the most from the course. Point form is acceptable. What we are looking for is evidence that you have knowledge and understanding of the key concepts contained within. Refer to the Flatwater Instructor & Guide Level-1 Learner Manual. A Whitewater Instructor & Guide Manual is also available on the PNSW website for help or contact me for clarification (contact details below). Points will be elaborated on during the course.

Written Project

Prepare for a flatwater day river trip that you will be guiding on a river of your choice.  Your client group consists of teenage students who have received some instruction in canoeing/kayaking. They have all paddled in a controlled environment before. The aim of the trip is for the students to gain experience in an extended day adventure and to experience roles in leadership, navigation and group responsibility.

Please submit the following:

1.     Activity Plan: Choose a suitable venue selection for participants and activity objectives. State who, when, where etc. Identify reliable sources of information about the trip such as from a named River Guide, a reliable website or other reliable sources.

2.     A Float Plan and Emergency Management plan to be left with a nominated responsible person. It will include a route plan for the trip that details the entry and exit points and emergency exit routes. The plan should be in a form that provides sufficient information for a third party to be able to locate these points and the route taken and should include an expected trip time and arrival time. (A Float Plan proforma is available on PA and PNSW websites)

3.     Weather: State Conditions of Cancellation e.g. water levels, inclemency of weather etc. Download a sample BOM weather map and interpret it for your proposed activity. Include your methods of checking that the water level will be safe on the day (e.g. Paddle Safe app river level and recommendations) and possible observable flow features. Give date and source of information.

4.     Legal Permissions: Access or Land manager permission, if required (or details of the land manager to gain permission). If none required, state none required.

5.     Equipment List: Include an equipment list for the trip, for both participants and group safety. Detail the safety equipment that will be carried by guides. Take into consideration sun sense and hypothermia precautions as well as any rescue and communication equipment required.

6.     A Risk Management Plan (RMP) for the trip, only to the level that is applicable for the context of the proposed trip. List of participants, their emergency contacts and any relevant medical information (asthma form, medical form).  Appropriateness of the equipment and environment (including any notable hazards). Placement of supervisory staff, communications (signals and systems for you and your staff that will be used), rescue plans and First Aid support. The number of supervisors and their paddling qualifications mentioned. How an incident will be managed (incident command responsibilities)

7.     Emergency Management Plan (EMP): Includes important information or procedures needed in the event of an emergency e.g. emergency contact number/s(who, how, when) emergency evacuation points, weather limits before cancellation or evacuation. It can be imbedded into your RMP or RA so long as it is identified with a heading

8.     Risk Assessment (RA): Construct a Risk Assessment with risk factor calculated before and after controls are put into place. NOTE: A risk assessment is different to a risk management plan.

9.     Activity Briefing: Briefing notes sent to clients before the activity.

10.  Departure Briefing: A briefing, in point form, to be delivered onshore just prior to departure, to include signals, a final gear check, injury prevention tips (posture etc), paddle techniques, capsize issues, and actions in the event of sickness or emergency…

Log Book

Logbooks are an evidence tool to show that you have the necessary experience to lead groups on canoeing activities. They may be in a variety of formats including journals, formula style or electronic. There is a free Paddle Log App available from Paddle Australia and this source is required for later award re-ratification. However, many paddlers also keep a personal log. All log books for assessment should be verified by a third person (a name and phone number will do).  There are various versions of log books available online but the following is given as a general guide for the information logged:

Kayak Trip Log                       Name: Fred Nurk (PAid No382901)

Log Requirements for FW Skills: verified logbook Min. 5 trips X 3hrs duration.

Log Requirements for FW Guide

Log Requirement for Overnight Endorsement (if required), at least one overnight program as an observer under training or as an assistant Guide.

Knowledge Evidence and Presentations

In addition to the written assignment, you must complete an online quiz. There will also be an opportunity for you to demonstrate your knowledge with your colleagues by presenting 1 or 2 brief presentations.

Demonstrations of knowledge and/or leadership:

(Participants can choose 2 of the following)

·       Essential gear for a flatwater guide/instructor

·       Navigation techniques (understanding scale, grid ref., compass error)

·       Leadership styles

·       Communication required by a leader

·       Communication devices

·       Risk assessment

·       Plan and conduct a flatwater course

·       Facilitate and deliver a series of sequential skills

·       Conflict resolution

·       Deliver briefings

·       Safety (i)  You, boat, gear, venue, ratios (PA Guidelines)

         (ii) Safe Activity: medical, ergonomics, duration, incident

             command system, clear communication

·       Manage a group on water

·       How to set up a towline and a tethered tow

·       Demonstrate a paddling or training technique (done during the course)

·       Manage a single and multiple capsize rescue

·       How to use the PaddleSafe app and float plan

·       Information resources

First Aid and CPR

First Aid and CPR are no longer a prerequisite for a FW Guide Award but is usually required by your employer or client.

Itinerary

See the attached itinerary for more information. This itinerary is a guide only and may be modified to suit the requirements of the participants or the conditions on the day.

I look forward to meeting you all there

Regards, Ian                           Contact: ianroyds@gmail.com or phone 0447 582 330

Itinerary for FWG Course 1,2,3 March 2023.   DRAFT

May be modified to suit conditions at the time

Last updated by Ian Royds 9/2/2023