TWO 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 rigidly 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.

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open canoe one star test

open canoe three star test
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 examiner’s discretion.
Venue

Sheltered water, where light winds (force 2) would provide the opportunity to look further at trim.
Assessor

Level 2 Canoe Coach (Instructor) 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 Leptopsirosis 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 waterproof 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 demonstrates 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 together. Solo paddlers should have assistance.

2 Efficient forward paddling.

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 definite 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 (non-drive) face of the paddle presented to the water on the ‘inside’. When stopping, the canoe should be travelling at a good cruising speed and motion in the opposite direction should 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 paddler with a stroke close to 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. Circle 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 turns.. Circle 1 using reverse sweeps. Circle 2 using outside pivot turns.

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 position, 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 possible a similar (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 for 25m with a pole 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.