Level 3: Coastal Kayak Trip Leader Assessment Course Assessment Course Overview This ACA Assessment Course is designed to evaluate your ability to perform all of the skills listed and demonstrate an appropriate level of paddling knowledge. This assessment course provides the opportunity for you to receive documentation of having achieved this level of paddling ability.
For successful completion of the Level 3: Coastal Kayak Trip Leader assessment, an individual must demonstrate technical proficiency, trip planning, group management and leadership skills in the published course venue. While this is not a teaching award, candidates awarded this credential must be able to provide basic tips to paddlers, as appropriate, to help them through the environment and overall experience.
The purpose of the Level 3: Coastal Kayak Trip Leader (Level 3: CKTL) program is an assessment process for individuals who intend to lead other paddlers, either recreationally or professionally, in protected waterways. The emphasis of the Trip Leader program is leadership. Successful completion of this assessment will provide evidence of the candidate’s technical skills and confirm their knowledge, understanding, and ability to plan and implement trips, for a wide variety of abilities, in environments up to and including the published course venue/conditions. Assessment Course Prerequisites

• Acknowledgment of personal compliance with the ACA Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC)
• Be a current ACA Member
• Completion of the Level 3: Coastal Kayak Touring Trip Leader Skills Course

Course Duration Two days (16 hours) or more. Course Location / Accessible Venues Lakes or coastal waters with potential areas of exposure to mild wind and wave conditions, with constant access to safe landing and within 1.5 nm from shore:

• 10 - 15 knot winds
• 1 - 2 foot waves (chop) (0.3 – 0.6 meters)
• 1 - 2 foot surf (0.3 – 0.6 meters)
• 1 - 2 knots of current

课程规模 5名学员：1名教练培训师；若增加一名合格的助理，比例可调整为10：2。学员人数上限为10人。 更多详情，请参阅《SEIC政策手册》第7章。 Assessor This assessment course may be offered by:

• Level 3: Coastal Kayaking Instructor Trainer (or higher), or
• Level 4: Coastal Kayaking Instructor with the L3: Coastal Kayaking Trip Leader (CKTL) Endorsement, or
• Level 5: Advanced Open Water Coastal Kayaking Instructor

Succeeding Courses

• Level 4: Open Water Coastal Kayaking Skills, Assessment, Trip Leader, or Certification Course

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Course Outline Equipment Participants shall possess all the equipment appropriate for a trip leader in Level 3: CKTL
conditions, and demonstrate the judgement to carry equipment that is appropriate and responsive to various venues, climates, trip durations, and group characteristics. Participants’ gear selections shall cover the following categories:

• Kayak (single sit-on-top or sit-inside, or tandem sit-on-top or sit-inside with fixed flotation sufficient to allow deep-water self-rescue) and personal equipment appropriate for kayak touring. Neither sit-on-top or tandems are required for the assessment. However, if sit-on-top kayaks are used, at least some of the kayaks in the course must be sit-inside to allow demonstration skills and knowledge of both types of boats; and, if tandem kayaks are used, at least some of the kayaks in the course must be singles to allow demonstration of skills and knowledge in both types of boats.
• Safety and emergency
• Signaling and communications
• First aid and equipment repair kits
• Navigation

Participants shall be able to explain why they selected/omitted certain items, for a particular venue. Participants may borrow equipment for assessment. Skills The following list of criteria are to be used in the assessment of Level 3: CKTL participants. The time spent on each skill and the sequence of evaluation should be adjusted to fit the participant’s needs, class location, and time allowance with an emphasis on the application of each skill in a leadership context. Maneuvering: Participants shall demonstrate safe, effective and efficient maneuvering in Level 3: CKTL conditions. The focus of the assessment will be on desired results rather than on specific technique. The skills shall include:

• Forward and reverse paddling
• Turning with forward and reverse momentum
• Static turns and 360° rotation with forward and reverse strokes
• Sideways movement – static and with forward momentum
• Preventing capsize with braces and sculling for support

Note: The assessment context shall include maneuvering for towing, quickly attaining the bow of a capsized boat, paddling on edge to maintain directional stability, using support strokes to prevent capsize, reverse paddling to assist in rescue rather than turning, or similar practical applications of personal skills. Rescues and Tows: Participants shall be able to perform a variety of assisted rescues and self-rescues, as well as tows, in Level 3: CKTL conditions, to include: For sit inside kayaks, the following skills:

• T-rescue
• Scoop rescue
• Roll

If sit-on-top kayaks are available, the following optional skills:

• Side by side with stabilization assisted rescue
• Cross kayak PFD grab assisted rescue

For both sit inside and sit-on-top kayaks, the following skills:

• Unresponsive paddler, e.g. Hand-of-God
• Stirrup rescue
• Efficient self-rescue from a swimming start
• Swimmer carries (bow, stern, and back deck)
• Contact tow (forward and reverse)
• Tow – single boat and multiple boat inline
• Rafted tow

The assessor shall evaluate the participant’s situational awareness and ability to maintain group control during the performance of rescues and towing exercises. A variety of touring, sit-on-top and tandem kayaks may be used at the assessor’s discretion. Technical: Participants shall demonstrate the following technical skills: Navigation – Participants shall demonstrate a knowledge of chart symbols, distance measurement, bearings, variation and transits. While on the water, participants shall be able to determine a position using bearings and/or transits, navigate using shoreline features, buoys and other visible references, and maintain a course using a compass heading, transits and time. Basic boat repair – Participants shall demonstrate basic field repair/management of either a small hole, compromised/missing hatch cover or a damaged skeg/rudder. At the assessor’s discretion, the repair may occur on the water. Leadership Leadership ability shall be assessed during a journey where each candidate is given the opportunity to make appropriate decisions, cognizant of conditions and the current performance capability of the group. Individual legs shall be debriefed to assess an understanding of leadership principles and to reveal the participant’s decision-making process. Participants shall show leadership appropriate to the circumstances, the risk at hand, the individuals being led, and the environmental challenges encountered.

• Group abilities – Participants shall demonstrate the ability to assess individual and group performance capabilities (e.g. skills, experience, judgement, fitness, boats and equipment) and set goals appropriately.
• Environmental awareness – Participants shall demonstrate the ability to assess conditions based on weather forecasts, observed wind, tidal current and sea state. Participants shall also identify protected areas, potential hazards, early exit options, remoteness and rescue resources. Based on these observations, participants shall plan an appropriate journey and adapt their plan as conditions change.
• Group awareness – Participants shall demonstrate group awareness throughout a trip to include assessing a group’s energy levels, hydration, confidence in conditions and readiness for upcoming challenges, and adjust their trip plans accordingly.
• Group management – Participants shall demonstrate group management and control appropriate to the conditions, environment and group readiness (e.g. spacing, pacing, formation and supporting roles) to include setting clear parameters and establishing emergency procedures.
• Risk assessment, incident avoidance and management – Participants shall demonstrate ongoing risk assessment relative to the readiness of the group, implement proactive strategies to avoid potential incidents, and manage incidents effectively if they do occur.
• Communication – Participants shall demonstrate the use of effective and ongoing communication to manage the group, share plans, assess paddlers, adapt to environmental
  limitations (e.g. wind or swell) and proactively prepare for potential emergencies.
• Positioning – Participants are expected to use various positions as appropriate to the situation, environment and potential consequences. Leader positioning shall reflect an awareness of potential hazards, the need to maintain a line of sight, and preparedness to manage potential rescues/incidents.
• Launching and landing – Participants must demonstrate proficiency launching and landing themselves and a group in Level 3: CKTL conditions, including planning, communication and
  positioning to maintain group control

Knowledge The topics and concepts below provide a framework of knowledge necessary for trip planning, implementation, and leadership. All will be covered and assessed in the context of the Level 3: CKTL environment and conditions. A candidate’s knowledge can be assessed using a variety of methods which may include observation, self-assessment, feedback, written assessment, questioning, and pre-assigned and/or ad hoc presentations.

• Weather – Participants shall be familiar with the terminology typically found in marine forecasts and know multiple means of accessing appropriate forecasts. Participants shall possess basic field forecasting skills, such as recognition of cumulonimbus clouds and the factors that can produce fog.
• Tides and currents – Participants shall be familiar with tidal terms, timing, forecasts and rules for determining tide height, current speed and drift.
• Conditions – Participants shall be familiar with the terminology found in surf and sea state forecasts, know multiple sources for obtaining forecasts, know the upper limits of the Level 3: CKTL environment, and understand the importance of keeping their trips within those parameters.
• Trip planning – As a tabletop exercise, participants shall prepare a trip plan that demonstrates an understanding of chart data, simple course plots, weather, tides, currents, and group abilities.
• Communication and signaling – Participants shall demonstrate knowledge of communication and signaling tools and their appropriate use, including VHF radios, emergency signals, paddle and hand signals.
• Rules of the road – Participants shall understand the hazards posed by other boat traffic, know USCG night lighting requirements and basic rules of the road as they pertain to kayakers.
• Leave No Trace (LNT) skills and ethics – Participants shall have a general understanding of LNT best practices and follow LNT principles and practices at all times.
• Prevention and management of hypothermia and hyperthermia – Participants shall have knowledge of symptoms, prevention, and management of hypothermia and hyperthermia.

Assessment Criteria Checklist Participant Name: ________________________________ Participant ACA Membership #: __________________ Course Venue: _____________________________________ Course Date(s): ____________________________________ Y = Meets Standard, N = Below Standard, DNO = Did Not Observe The participant must be able to perform all strokes, maneuvers, rescues, and skills in the appropriate setting. Additionally, the participant must demonstrate the appropriate level of knowledge for this skill assessment level. Maneuvers Pass? P/N/DNO Forward and reverse paddling Turning with forward and reverse momentum Static turns and 360° rotation with forward and reverse strokes Sideways movement— static and with forward momentum Preventing capsize with braces and sculling for support Comment Rescues and Tows Pass? P/N/DNO T-rescue Scoop rescue Roll—demonstrate ability to roll within 3 consecutive attempts Side by side with stabilization assisted rescue (if using sit-on-top) Cross kayak PFD grab (if sit-on-top) Unresponsive paddler, e.g. Hand-ofGod Stirrup rescue Efficient self-rescue from swimming start Swimmer carries (bow, stern and back deck) Contact tow (forward and reverse) Tow—single boat and multiple boat inline Rafted tow Comment Technical Pass? P/N/DNO Navigation Boat repair Comment Leadership Pass? P/N/DNO Group abilities Environmental awareness Group awareness Group management Risk assessment, incident avoidance, and management Communications Positioning Launching and landing Comment Knowledge Pass? P/N/DNO Weather Tides and currents Conditions Trip Planning Communication and signaling Nautical rules of the road Leave No Trace skills and ethics Prevention and management of hypothermia and hyperthermia Comment Final Assessment Meets Standard or Needs More Work (circle one) Assessor Name: Assessor Signature: Assessor ACA Number: Course Conclusion Date: Comments: © American Canoe Association Date of last revision: 5/1/2024 https://americancanoe.org