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2
Star Test Open Canoe
Aim
An improvement award that covers the basic strokes and techniques on flat
water.
The emphasis is on creating the desired movement of the boat through developing
an understanding of cause and effect rather than concentrating on rigid
defined strokes. Where the test is taken by doubles crews, each person
must perform each task both from the bow and from the stern. In the particular
case of the doubles moving forwards element the stern paddler would be
responsible for directional control, the bow paddler would not contribute
to the steering. Likewise in the reverse paddling element the bow paddler
would be solely responsible for directional control.
In this way both paddlers gain insight into doubles paddling and yet are
able to get to grips with exploring the skills necessary to paddle solo.
Solo performance at 2 Star level is required for attending a course for
the qualification of Level 1 coach.
Prerequisites
BCU 1 Star award. Where a candidate does not hold this award a small cross-section
of 1 Star techniques should be incorporated at the assessors discretion.
Venue
Sheltered water, where light winds (force 2) would provide the opportunity
to look at trim.
Assessor
Level 2 Canoe Coach (Coach) or higher.
Level 2 Coaches or higher in alternative disciplines may also test this
award if they hold the canoe 3 Star or higher.
Theory
A question or two of a similar level should be asked under each heading:
Equipment
sample questions:
What is a cranked paddle?
Why is a racing boat faster than a touring or short white water boat?
Safety
sample questions:
Why can it be dangerous to canoe on open water before you are sufficiently
experienced?
Why should you wear a buoyancy aid even if you are a good swimmer?
Why are weirs dangerous?
What is Leptosirosis and what precautions can you take against it?
Hypothermia/first aid
sample questions:
What (in simple terms) is meant by hypothermia?
How is hypothermia avoided?
Why should you cover cuts and grazes with a water proof dressing?
Access
sample questions:
Can you paddle your canoe on just any river or canal?
What would you do if someone told you you had no right to be canoeing
where you are?
Environment
sample questions:
What is the most beautiful place in which you have been with your
canoe?
What is the best wildlife encounter you have had while canoeing?
What is the principle you should apply when you leave a picnic or camping
site?
Planning
sample questions:
What should you take with you to ensure your comfort on a short trip?
How far do you think you could paddle in a day without becoming too tired
and fed up?
General
sample questions:
Name three different types of canoeing competition?
What is meant by white water canoeing?
Group awareness
sample questions:
How could you help someone who was having difficulty in keeping up
on a trip?
Why is it important to keep together as a group when journeying?
Practical 'A'
1. Lifting, carrying and launching the canoe.
Candidate to demonstrate good lifting and carrying principles. Boat to
be afloat and entry into it should be without any aid from the paddle.
Doubles pairs must demonstrate working togther. Solo paddlers should have
assistance.
2. Efficient forward paddlng.
Tandem. Candidates to paddle a distance of about 200m, both paddlers
using an upright posture with evidence of trunk rotation, a good catch,
and a feathered recovery. A reasonable degree of accuracy is needed with
at least 100m paddled at a good cruising speed. The bow paddler should
be balancing his or her power output to that of the stern paddler, whilst
not contributing to the steering of the canoe. The stern paddler's steering
can be achieved using a variety of strokes, but will predominantly be
a form of
J-stroke, the criteria for which will be a definate power phase, and a
definite steering phase with the drive face of the paddle away from the
canoe. Stroke length and canoe trim should be adjusted appropriate to
the prevailing conditions.
Solo. The candidate will be expected to paddle the canoe appropriately
for the prevailing conditions and paddle with a reasonable degree of accuracy
over a distance of 200m Within this course 50M should be travelled at
a good speed, using predominantly a form of J-stroke (described under
Tandem).
3. Reverse paddling and stopping.
Candidates should demonstrate controlled and reasonably accurate reverse
paddling over a distance of 25m towards a point defined by the assessor.
when reversing, looking over one shoulder and unwinding the trunk to produce
power must be in evidence. Back (nondrive )face of the paddle presented
to the water on the inside. When stoping, the canoe should be travelling
at a good cruising speed and motion in the opposite direction shold be
evident within two boat lengths.
Tandem. When reversing, use backward strokes on each paddler's
on-side only. The stern paddler should be balancing his or her power output
to that of the bow paddlr with a stroke close th the canoe. the bow paddler
will also use a stroke close to the canoe that will finish with either
a steering reverse J-stroke or a reverse rudder.
Solo. When reversing, use alternate on side and off side strokes.
4. Moving the canoe sideways.
From the appropriate position in the canoe the paddler(s) should be able
to move the canoe sideways on the on-side for 5m without excessive swing.
Both tandem paddlers may paddle on the same side for the purpose of this
exercise.
5. Preventing a capsize.
Demonstrate an ability to tilt the canoe, and recover the canoe from that
position using the knees or thighs. This requires that paddlers have a
constant grip of the canoe, either through their knees on the bottom of
the canoe, and/or thighs against the gunwales. For the purpose of this
exercise, tandem paddlers may change sides so that they both paddle on
the same side of the canoe.
6. Ruddering.
The canoe to be paddled up to a good speed, then kept running in a straight
line through a narrow gap by the use of a trailing paddle (stern paddler/solo
paddler only steering ).
7. Turning.
The crew should be able to turn the canoe clockwise and anti-clockwise
within 10m circles. Paddlers must NOT swap paddling sides.
Tandem. Circle 1 should be paddled by combining draws at the
bow and quarter sweeps at the stern. Cirlce 2 should be paddled by combining
quarter sweeps at the bow and a J-stroke with a heavy steering component
at the stern.
Solo. Circle 1 using reverse sweeps. Circle 2 using outside pivot
rurns.
8. Disembarking.
Correct approach to the bank, exit canoe without use of the paddle. Balance
and control of the boat to be maintained. Exit without damaging the canoe
or the bank.
9. Securing.
The candidate must understand the concept of securing boats at the end
of the session, either by tying down or putting onto purpose-made racks.
Secure the canoe to the bank using the painters or lines with a secure
knot.
Practical 'B':
1. Jump out and climb in.
In deep water jump out while retaining contact with the canoe, and then
climb back into the canoe. Tandem paddlers (both in the water) may assist
each other. Solo paddlers may have assistance from a second person who
is also in the water.
2.Linked paddle movement.
Paddler(s) to demonstrate a simple linked paddle movement e.g. simple
sculling or a draw into a power stroke.
3. Sailing.
Improvise a sailing rig for a pair of rafted canoes giving evidence of
knowing the limits of wind strength and wave conditions.
Demonstrate satisfactory beginnings in:
1. Off-side draws.
Without changing hand positin, take the paddle from the paddling side
(on-side) to the other, non-paddling side (off-side) and explore moving
the canoe sideways towards the off-side with draw strokes.
This will involve considerable trunk rotation and possibly a similiar
(albeit smaller)alteration to the kneeling position.
2. Simple pry strokes.
The paddle is placed deep in the water, tight against the hull with its
drive face to the canoe. the top hand then pulls inward levering against
the gunwale, resulting in a sideways movement away from the paddle side.
the blade is rotated so that the drive face is towards the stern, and
sliced back in to repeat the stroke.
3. Poling.
Propel the canoe forwards of 25m with a ple whilst standing.
4. Moving by use of painters or lines.
From the bank, crew to tow the canoe a distance of about 10m by use of
painter and/or lines.
Journeying
Provide evidence of 1 journey of about 2 hours (6Km) duration.
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