Course for beginners - Summary

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The THCC Course for beginners is based on the BCU One Star syllabus - the plan being to teach all of the topics during the first three weeks and to assess on the fourth week.

This is my personal summary of the course. It is not complete yet - I will keep adding to it.
I hope that it covers all of the topics needed by the syllabus and offers notes that expand on each topic.
Please point out any errors, offer additions, give me any feedback - good or bad.
Ian

Equipment is listed at the end of the syllabus, but it is really worth thinking about at the start of any session.

The headings below are from the syllabus for the BCU One Star award. Each item links to the details below.

Personal Paddling Skills

Lift, carry and launch

Adjust the seat and footrests if possible.
If at all possible, adjust the foot rests. Some boats allow the foot rests to be moved while you are sitting in them, but most need to be adjusted on dry land before you get in.
Some boats allow the seat position to be adjusted, but it is worth adjusting the seat back if possible. A firm seat back will encourage a more upright posture and reduce the strain on your back.
The position of the seat and the foot rests should make the boat feel "snug" without cramping your legs.
Assess the bank and access area to identify any dangers and risks.
At the basin, watch out for icy or slippery paving stones. The metal ramp can be slippery when icy or muddy.
On a river bank, watch out for muddy slopes, low branches, brambles, tree roots and also barbed wire and sometimes lengths of fishing line.
When the bank is steep or muddy it is often better to form a human chain and slide the boats to each other rather than everybody carrying their own.
Lift the boats safely.
Work in pairs for a kayak or 3-4 for an open canoe.
Talk to the others so you know where you are going before you start. Agree who is driving!
Keep your back upright and straight and use your legs to do the actual lifting.
Be especially careful if it is windy - a kayak can easily act like a sail.
Get into the boat safely.
Work in pairs whenever possible.
The first person onto the water can still steady the boat for the second person.
You can also use your paddle to steady the boat as you get in.
Keep your weight on the bank as late as possible.
Start in pairs, but note that the syllabus does encourage you to manage this on your own.

Forward paddling

Hold the paddle correctly.
Hands are further apart than your shoulders.
Your right hand (for right-handed paddlers) stays in the same place.
The right blade is at a right angle to your forearm.
Your right hand twists the paddle - the left hand lets the paddle twist.
Good upright posture.
Long stroke, starting with the blade well forward.
Turn your upper body to get that long reach.
Unwind the rotation in your upper body to give power rather than just pulling with your arms.
Look where you are going - the boat tends to follow.
Steer via sweep strokes.
Keep the blade just under the water with the arm nearly straight.
Keep the shaft of the paddle low across the boat.
Sweep the blade in an arc towards the back of the boat.
The first part of the sweep strokes pushes the bow away from the paddle, the end of the sweep stoke pulls the back of the boat towards the paddle.
(Introduce stern rudder)
A stern rudder is only of use when the boat is already moving forward.
Hold the paddle parallel to the boat, then lower the blade at the back into the water.
Pulling the lower end of the paddle will pull the back of the boat towards the paddle.
Pushing the lower end of the paddle will push the back of the boat away from the paddle.

Steering and controlling

Steer the boat (with sweeps and rudders) around a course while maintaining forward movement.
Reverse paddling to a fixed target. Safe looking behind. Correct paddle grip. Good body rotation.
Stopping should be with short dynamic strokes on both sides, so that the boat remains balanced and under control.
Rotate the boat on the spot, in both directions, using forward and backward sweep strokes - turning the body to give power to the sweep.

Return to the bank and get out

Assess the bank and exit area to identify any dangers and risks.
Manoeuvre to the bank
Get out of the boat safely.
Lift the boat out of the water safely.

Rescue Skills

Capsize and be rescued or swim to shore

Demonstrate control during a capsize by banging on the bottom of the boat, exit the boat, collect paddle and tow boat to the bank.
Leave the kayak upside down - the air stays inside and keeps the boat lighter.
Tow the kayak by the handle/rope at either end.
Swimming on your back makes the towing easier.
(Introduce deep water rescue.)

Emptying boats

Lift and empty the boats safely.

Safety, Leadership and Group Skills

Personal Risk Management

What to wear.
What to take.

Awareness of others

Keeping others safe.
Understand the basic signals.

Theory

Equipment

Check your kit before you start.
Is your buoyancy aid zipped and clipped? Is it tight enough? Can somebody else lift it off you?
Do your shoe laces have long loops that could catch on something?
If you are wearing glasses, are they secured?
Will you be warm enough?
It is generally rather easy to cool down if you are too warm!
It is much harder to warm up if you are too cold.
Avoid cotton and wool.
Wear several thin layers rather than one thick one.
Maybe wear a hat - one that you don't mind losing.

Safety

First Aid and Hypothermia

Access

Environment

General