Kayaking Level 4 Skills

Get qualified in kayaking this year

OOur Level 4 skills assessments are fully certified from the Irish Canoe Union and will be carried out on any Grade3 River that is available for use. This is the 4th level of skills assessment from the Irish Canoe Union. It assesses your whitewater kayaking competancy and skills and your ability at negotiating obstacles likely to be encountered on Grade 3 rivers. You must competently deal with rescue situations that might occur on these rivers.

Where?It takes place on a Grade 3 river. We can do this at several locations throughout the country.

Group Size:

There is a maximum group size for this of 4 people. We can cater for smaller groups but the cost per person is more expensive.

How Long?

This assessment usually takes a full day.

The assessment contains the following:

  • Forward Paddle, Reverse Paddle, Emergency Stop.
  • Forward Sweep, Reverse Sweep and a combination of Forward and Reverse Sweep.
  • Draw Stroke
  • Sculling Draw
  • Hanging Draw
  • Sculling for Support
  • Low Brace
  • High Brace
  • Low Brace Turn
  • Stern Rudder
  • Bow Rudder
  • Defensive Swimming

    • Techniques

  • an ability to use water conditions available for the effective and efficient manoeuvring of a kayak
  • competence in negotiating water obstructions i.e. Standing Waves, Stoppers, and an ability to utilise it to cross a river.
  • competence in negotiating bends where water flows under trees or against vertical riverbank.
  • Reverse Ferry Gliding
  • Forward Ferry Gliding
  • Breaking In accurately
  • Breaking Out accurately
  • Eskimo Roll
  • Capable of Self-Rescue

    • Rescues

  • Assisted X Rescue and an X Rescue
  • Eskimo Rescue
  • Stern Carry
  • Unconscious Casualty (method of righting an unconscious person in a capsized kayak)
  • an ability to manoeuvre an empty kayak between two specified points.
  • an ability to assist an incapacitate paddler in a kayak between two specified points.
  • an ability to use a Throw Rope to rescue a swimmer.

  • a practical knowledge of First Aid and its relevance to possible situations arising during a canoeing trip to include: Shock, Hypothermia, Head Injuries, Dislocations, Bleeding, CPR, EAR.

    • Theory

  • River Grading
  • River Route Finding
  • Towing Systems and methods
  • Group Control and Awareness
  • Signals and Commands and Personal Equipment

    • Equipment we can provide:

  • Kayak, Paddle, Helmet, Buoyancy Aid, Cag, Wetsuit, Spraydeck

So how much does it cost? Click Here