The Advanced River Kayak Skills course represents the highest skill level and provides candidates with the opportunity to improve his/her whitewater skills on more challenging white water (class III).
Kayakers taking this course should have considerable paddling experience beyond the Intermediate River Kayaking course, solid rolls on both sides and rescue experience.
Upon completion of the course, participants should be able to confidently navigate Class III rapids on rivers that contain a mix of Class III, and higher rapids in a group setting.
This course runs in Class-3 conditions which are described as:
Exposed water, with more committed crossings and any combination of the following: moderate to strong currents with turbulence (≥ 6 km/h or ≥ 3 knots), moderate to strong wind effects (22-35 km/h or 12–19 knots), ocean swells and a combined sea state near 1 meter with occasional rough sea state. Difficult but frequent landing opportunities, surf-beaches with surf up to 1 metre. Delays in access to land-based assistance can expected.
Review all safety items from lower-level river kayak courses.
Rolling in class III water
Support-lines
Hole rescue
Swimmer tow
Z-drag
Paddling Skills
Back ferry
Boof
Paddling switch
Running drops
Advanced surf techniques including back surf and 360 spins.
Theory and Knowledge
Review of theory items from the lower river kayaking levels.
Emergency repairs on a kayak.
Self-rescues
Shore based rescues.
Boat based rescues.
In-water based rescues.
Multi-kayaker rescue.
Rescue priorities.
The rescue hierarchy: reach, throw, row, go, swim (RETHROG).
Course Prerequisites
Skills Certification
Intermediate River Kayaking Skills course or equivalent skills with the permission of the course director.
Paddling Experience
Participants must be able to perform a kayak roll on demand in current.
First Aid
Students are encouraged to take a Basic First Aid course and a Swift Water Rescue course.
Paddling Equipment
The kayak must have sufficient buoyancy, float bag / bulkhead, to float after a wet exit.
A helmet approved for use in moving water.
The Small Print
The content on this page is provided for information only and could be incorrect or outdated. The course program manual is the official syllabus.
If you have any specific syllabus questions, please get in touch with the
River Kayak Program Committee who is responsible for the development and maintaince of this course.
Our mission is to promote, educate, and support the recreational paddling community, paddling instructors, and partners.
