Newsletter 3
Dear Southland Sea Kayakers
We had an enjoyable and informative meeting on 26 November at H&J Outdoor
World. Issues discussed were skills courses, gear and trips. Mark Aplin who
attended the KASK Proficiency Award assessors training course in Christchurch
spoke about skills courses. Matt Sillars invited the participants to list kayak
gear needed by sea kayakers and is keen to order any gear people need.
It is important to stress you are not going anywhere in the sea kayaking
world unless you have the right gear.
Since the meeting we have been busy organizing our first skills course and
this is scheduled to occur on 31 January /1 February.
The details are as follows:
Date: 31 January/1 February
Course Organiser: Stanley Mulvany
Course instructor: Mark Aplin
Venue: Monowai Holiday Camp, Monowai Village
Cost: Approximately $20-25 for accommodation and use of Blackmount Pool
Registration: by 15 January by emailing me. I may need a deposit later.
Syllabus:
1) Equipment: Please take your kayak equipment along so we can discuss
what is useful/necessary This includes safety equipment.
2) Practice self and assisted rescue in the pool
3) Paddling techniques
4) Demonstration of various Eskimo Rolls.
5) A paddle on Lake Monowai_ trip planning and risk management
Monowai Holiday camp has 1 self contained cottage and 8 cabins and test
sites. There is a common room and cooking facilities. You need to bring
your own sleeping bags and food. I have booked the whole camp so contact me
rather than the camp ground.
Mark is keen to run several other skills courses later based on the KASK
Proficiency Award Standard units. I am looking at a session at Oreti Beach
on surf launching and landings
The Canterbury Sea Kayak Network are having a forum at Okains Bay on the
14-15 Feb 2004. Mark Aplin is driving up and would like to share the cost
with anyone from here who might be interested in also attending.
I have been in contact with Mark Robertson of the Otago Sea Kayakers about
staging a joint forum and they are looking at this and will get back to me
about this. I expect this may occur in the autumn.
I am busy getting ready to climb Mt Cook with my daughter and once this is
over I'll be taking another network paddle.
Safe kayaking and Happy Christmas
Stanley
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have included several emails from Mark Aplin on skills courses for your
interest
28/11/03
1) Commercial Kayak Training
Particularly for beginners, or those seeing to acquire a specific skill
(e.g. rolling), doing some sort of course could be a quick way to
progress. Even if you are only interest in sea kayaking an inland/white-water
course would give you lots of transferable skills.
Locally Bruce Conway at Kayaks Plus/Alpha Outdoors offers both
inland/white-water and sea kayak training, including rolling courses:
Email: [email protected] (I gave someone at the meeting this without the .nz on the end - sorry)
Telephone: 03 213 1060
Address: 24 Watt Rd, Otatara, RD9 Invercargill
Rather a long way away but NZ Kayak School in Murchison also run a range of
inland/white-water kayak courses:
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Telephone: Janette Kear: 03-352-5786
Website: www.nzkayakschool.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) NZ Coastguard Boating Education Service
NZCBES run a series of courses aimed at keeping boatees of all types safe.
I have done the Day Skippers course and found it very useful, lots of the
content is very relevant to sea kayakers. They also do a VHF radio
operators course which is, in theory, a requirement if you want to use a marine VHF radio.
Website: www.cbes.org.nz
Their tutor locally is Tom Sawyer:
Address: c/o Pacific Shipping Agencies Ltd, Box 812, Invercargill
Telephone: 03 214 9040
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) Kiwi Association of Sea Kayakers (KASK)
Well worth joining, new members receive the excellent KASK handbook free.
Website: www.kask.co.nz
Membership contact: Max Grant
email: [email protected]
I've attached an electronic copy of the KASK membership application form.
4) The KASK Sea Kayak Proficiency Award
(with acknowledgement to Susan Cade's article in the Aug/Sept 2003 KASK newsletter)
In response to demand from members for more training opportunities KASK
have got together with 2 other organisations to set up a more structured
approach to sea kayak training and assessment:
KASK have responsibility for The Sea Kayak Proficiency Award - principally
aimed at recreational sea kayakers and probably of most interest to
Southland Sea Kayak Network Members.
SKOANZ - Sea Kayak Operators Association New Zealand - have responsibility
for their guide qualification - principally aimed at sea kayak guides
working in a commercial environment. This qualification is already in
place.
NZOIA - New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association - have responsibility
for a Sea Kayak Instructors qualification, aimed at those intending to
instruct/train/assess instructors and guides. This qualification is still
under development.
KASK are in the process of launching the Sea Kayak Proficiency award and a
series of assessors training weekends have been held. About 25 assessors
have been trained in New Zealand with 5 on South Island - two in
Christchurch, two in Dunedin, and myself in Southland.
The Proficiency award is made up of 5 NZQA unit standards, I've listed
these below with a brief outline of the elements of each unit standard. For more
details see the KASK Website www.kask.co.nz under training
(http://www.kask.co.nz/pdf/TrainingInformation.pdf). I have copies of the
latest full details of the unit standards and assessment guides.
I hope you will agree that these unit standards provide an excellent
syllabus or skill list to which all sea kayakers ought to aspire. Rolling
has been kept separate in recognition that it is a separate technical
skill and a compliment to, rather than substitute for, the other rescue skills
included in US 19429. The 5 unit standards can be assessed and passed
individually in their own right, all 5 are required for the award of the
KASK Sea Kayak Proficiency qualification.
We are hoping to run training towards these skill sets as part of the
Southland Sea Kayak Network's activities, both as part of general paddling
activities and with specific upskilling sessions and an upskilling
weekend.
I am able to assess candidates for these units standards (provided they
are members of KASK). I would suggest anyone interested in being assessed gets
in touch with me, I can provide copies of candidates guides and more
information. If there are a number of people interested in assessment I'd
be happy to run a pre-assessment meeting to go through the unit standards and
an assessment session or sessions sometime in the new year. Please contact
me on 03-236-2510 or email [email protected]
The 5 Unit Standards required for the KASK Sea Kayak Proficiency Award
are:
1. US 19428 Prepare for sea kayaking, and demonstrate sea kayaking skills e.g.
1.1 select, store and maintain clothing gear and equipment;
1.2 check, transport and launch/retrieve sea kayaks;
1.3 demonstrate paddle strokes - forwards, backwards, turning with and
without rudder, brace/support strokes, stopping, stern rudder, controlled
side surfing/broach, railing & edging
1.4 beach launches and landings
2. US 19429 Demonstrate rescue procedures for sea-kayaking in close
proximity to landing sites
e.g.2.1 paddle float self rescue
2.2 unassisted self rescue within 2 minutes
2.3 rescue of single and double kayaks with weak and strong swimmers
2.4 prioritise & justify actions according to conditions
2.5 "H-E-L-P" and "Huddle" positions
3. US 19430 Demonstrate knowledge of and maintain equipment used for sea
kayaking
e.g. 3.1 safety equipment
3.2 kayak types
3.3 sea kayaking equipment
3.4 identify and repair worn and damaged equipment
3.5 carry out field repairs
4. US 19431 Complete one day and multi day sea kayak trips with peers in
close proximity to landing sites e.g.
4.1 Plan and prepare for trip - clothing and equipment selection -
trip planning - pack sea kayak with overnight gear
4.2 surf launches & landings
4.3 efficient paddling strokes
4.4 surf & wave dynamics
4.5 tide, current, wind and local effects
4.6 adverse weather signs
4.7 identify and avoid environmental hazards
4.8 decision making
4.9 adjustment & mutual support
5. US 20158 Roll a sea kayak
5.1 consistent and confident roll with kayak stable at all times and
paddling position regained on completion
We had an enjoyable and informative meeting on 26 November at H&J Outdoor
World. Issues discussed were skills courses, gear and trips. Mark Aplin who
attended the KASK Proficiency Award assessors training course in Christchurch
spoke about skills courses. Matt Sillars invited the participants to list kayak
gear needed by sea kayakers and is keen to order any gear people need.
It is important to stress you are not going anywhere in the sea kayaking
world unless you have the right gear.
Since the meeting we have been busy organizing our first skills course and
this is scheduled to occur on 31 January /1 February.
The details are as follows:
Date: 31 January/1 February
Course Organiser: Stanley Mulvany
Course instructor: Mark Aplin
Venue: Monowai Holiday Camp, Monowai Village
Cost: Approximately $20-25 for accommodation and use of Blackmount Pool
Registration: by 15 January by emailing me. I may need a deposit later.
Syllabus:
1) Equipment: Please take your kayak equipment along so we can discuss
what is useful/necessary This includes safety equipment.
2) Practice self and assisted rescue in the pool
3) Paddling techniques
4) Demonstration of various Eskimo Rolls.
5) A paddle on Lake Monowai_ trip planning and risk management
Monowai Holiday camp has 1 self contained cottage and 8 cabins and test
sites. There is a common room and cooking facilities. You need to bring
your own sleeping bags and food. I have booked the whole camp so contact me
rather than the camp ground.
Mark is keen to run several other skills courses later based on the KASK
Proficiency Award Standard units. I am looking at a session at Oreti Beach
on surf launching and landings
The Canterbury Sea Kayak Network are having a forum at Okains Bay on the
14-15 Feb 2004. Mark Aplin is driving up and would like to share the cost
with anyone from here who might be interested in also attending.
I have been in contact with Mark Robertson of the Otago Sea Kayakers about
staging a joint forum and they are looking at this and will get back to me
about this. I expect this may occur in the autumn.
I am busy getting ready to climb Mt Cook with my daughter and once this is
over I'll be taking another network paddle.
Safe kayaking and Happy Christmas
Stanley
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have included several emails from Mark Aplin on skills courses for your
interest
28/11/03
1) Commercial Kayak Training
Particularly for beginners, or those seeing to acquire a specific skill
(e.g. rolling), doing some sort of course could be a quick way to
progress. Even if you are only interest in sea kayaking an inland/white-water
course would give you lots of transferable skills.
Locally Bruce Conway at Kayaks Plus/Alpha Outdoors offers both
inland/white-water and sea kayak training, including rolling courses:
Email: [email protected] (I gave someone at the meeting this without the .nz on the end - sorry)
Telephone: 03 213 1060
Address: 24 Watt Rd, Otatara, RD9 Invercargill
Rather a long way away but NZ Kayak School in Murchison also run a range of
inland/white-water kayak courses:
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Telephone: Janette Kear: 03-352-5786
Website: www.nzkayakschool.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) NZ Coastguard Boating Education Service
NZCBES run a series of courses aimed at keeping boatees of all types safe.
I have done the Day Skippers course and found it very useful, lots of the
content is very relevant to sea kayakers. They also do a VHF radio
operators course which is, in theory, a requirement if you want to use a marine VHF radio.
Website: www.cbes.org.nz
Their tutor locally is Tom Sawyer:
Address: c/o Pacific Shipping Agencies Ltd, Box 812, Invercargill
Telephone: 03 214 9040
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) Kiwi Association of Sea Kayakers (KASK)
Well worth joining, new members receive the excellent KASK handbook free.
Website: www.kask.co.nz
Membership contact: Max Grant
email: [email protected]
I've attached an electronic copy of the KASK membership application form.
4) The KASK Sea Kayak Proficiency Award
(with acknowledgement to Susan Cade's article in the Aug/Sept 2003 KASK newsletter)
In response to demand from members for more training opportunities KASK
have got together with 2 other organisations to set up a more structured
approach to sea kayak training and assessment:
KASK have responsibility for The Sea Kayak Proficiency Award - principally
aimed at recreational sea kayakers and probably of most interest to
Southland Sea Kayak Network Members.
SKOANZ - Sea Kayak Operators Association New Zealand - have responsibility
for their guide qualification - principally aimed at sea kayak guides
working in a commercial environment. This qualification is already in
place.
NZOIA - New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association - have responsibility
for a Sea Kayak Instructors qualification, aimed at those intending to
instruct/train/assess instructors and guides. This qualification is still
under development.
KASK are in the process of launching the Sea Kayak Proficiency award and a
series of assessors training weekends have been held. About 25 assessors
have been trained in New Zealand with 5 on South Island - two in
Christchurch, two in Dunedin, and myself in Southland.
The Proficiency award is made up of 5 NZQA unit standards, I've listed
these below with a brief outline of the elements of each unit standard. For more
details see the KASK Website www.kask.co.nz under training
(http://www.kask.co.nz/pdf/TrainingInformation.pdf). I have copies of the
latest full details of the unit standards and assessment guides.
I hope you will agree that these unit standards provide an excellent
syllabus or skill list to which all sea kayakers ought to aspire. Rolling
has been kept separate in recognition that it is a separate technical
skill and a compliment to, rather than substitute for, the other rescue skills
included in US 19429. The 5 unit standards can be assessed and passed
individually in their own right, all 5 are required for the award of the
KASK Sea Kayak Proficiency qualification.
We are hoping to run training towards these skill sets as part of the
Southland Sea Kayak Network's activities, both as part of general paddling
activities and with specific upskilling sessions and an upskilling
weekend.
I am able to assess candidates for these units standards (provided they
are members of KASK). I would suggest anyone interested in being assessed gets
in touch with me, I can provide copies of candidates guides and more
information. If there are a number of people interested in assessment I'd
be happy to run a pre-assessment meeting to go through the unit standards and
an assessment session or sessions sometime in the new year. Please contact
me on 03-236-2510 or email [email protected]
The 5 Unit Standards required for the KASK Sea Kayak Proficiency Award
are:
1. US 19428 Prepare for sea kayaking, and demonstrate sea kayaking skills e.g.
1.1 select, store and maintain clothing gear and equipment;
1.2 check, transport and launch/retrieve sea kayaks;
1.3 demonstrate paddle strokes - forwards, backwards, turning with and
without rudder, brace/support strokes, stopping, stern rudder, controlled
side surfing/broach, railing & edging
1.4 beach launches and landings
2. US 19429 Demonstrate rescue procedures for sea-kayaking in close
proximity to landing sites
e.g.2.1 paddle float self rescue
2.2 unassisted self rescue within 2 minutes
2.3 rescue of single and double kayaks with weak and strong swimmers
2.4 prioritise & justify actions according to conditions
2.5 "H-E-L-P" and "Huddle" positions
3. US 19430 Demonstrate knowledge of and maintain equipment used for sea
kayaking
e.g. 3.1 safety equipment
3.2 kayak types
3.3 sea kayaking equipment
3.4 identify and repair worn and damaged equipment
3.5 carry out field repairs
4. US 19431 Complete one day and multi day sea kayak trips with peers in
close proximity to landing sites e.g.
4.1 Plan and prepare for trip - clothing and equipment selection -
trip planning - pack sea kayak with overnight gear
4.2 surf launches & landings
4.3 efficient paddling strokes
4.4 surf & wave dynamics
4.5 tide, current, wind and local effects
4.6 adverse weather signs
4.7 identify and avoid environmental hazards
4.8 decision making
4.9 adjustment & mutual support
5. US 20158 Roll a sea kayak
5.1 consistent and confident roll with kayak stable at all times and
paddling position regained on completion