Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Participant's needs and characteristics may include:
age
cultural factors
previous experience
fitness level and physical capabilities
knowledge of intermediate whitewater canoeing skills and tactics
swimming skills
injuries and illnesses.
Readiness may include:
appropriate levels of fitness
motor performance factors
compatibility between participants and team members
psychological factors
positive approach to enjoyment and performance.
Whitewater canoeing may include:
slalom racing
wild water racing.
Session's aims and objectives may include:
participating in intermediate whitewater canoeing drills, activities and games
practicing skills and tactics during drills, activities and games
progressive skill acquisition
self improvement
fitness targets
motivation
basic movements
individual and team tactics and skills.
Plan may include:
session aims and objectives
date, time and duration
coach and participant ratios
equipment and resources
drills, activities and games
food and water
weather details
safety requirements.
Physical conditioning may include:
five components of fitness
development of physical abilities
techniques to prevent shoulder injury.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits from authorities
privacy
working with children
environmental regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
conflict resolution
communication protocols
use, care and maintenance of equipment
training and scheduling commitments
code of ethics.
Endorsed standards promoted by canoeing may include:
Canoeing coaches code of conduct policy
accreditation of coaches throughout National Coaching Accreditation Scheme
Australian Sports Commission Harassment-free Sport policy.
Safety procedures may include:
group management in emergency situations
symptoms, treatment and prevention of common whitewater canoeing injuries and risks
equipment checking and usage.
Drills, activities may include:
those described in Level 1 Whitewater Canoeing Manual
sequential progression of skills
individualised drills
concentration drills
basic paddling drills.
Games may include:
modified games and competitions
focus skill or skills and or tactic or tactics
racing against other participants
timing
sprinting
practice competitions.
Location may include:
whitewater rivers
indoor facility.
Equipment may include:
canoe or kayak suitable for whitewater canoeing
paddle
spray cover
personal flotation device
helmet
throw ropes.
Resources may include:
teaching and coaching tools
video equipment
stopwatch
sports science testing equipment
first aid kit.
Set up and trim may include:
construction and characteristics of type of paddles and boats
equipment selection and set up relevant to paddler and conditions
rig and steering mechanism
equipment transport.
Relevant information may include:
skill or skills focus
equipment and resource requirements, selection and use
safety procedures and risk management
communication systems
aims and objectives
rules and regulations of whitewater canoeing
responsible and safe behaviour.
Risks may include:

injuries
unstable canoe or kayak
collisions
drowning
capsize.
Rules, regulations and policies may include:
national and international rules of whitewater canoeing
Australian Canoeing anti-doping policy
Australian Sports Commission Harassment-free Sport policy
age restrictions.
Communication system may include:
calls
signals.
Teaching and coaching techniques may include:
demonstration
explanation
focusing on a single skill
breaking down skills and tactics
progressing through and linking skills and tactics
shaping and modelling approaches
reciprocal or peer tutoring
questioning, monitoring and observing progress
assessment and evaluation.
Required knowledge may include:
rules, regulations and policies of whitewater canoeing
whitewater canoeing skills and tactics
basic biomechanical principles
factors affecting skill acquisition
equipment selection, use and maintenance.
Intermediate skills and tactics of whitewater canoeing may include:
forward, reverse and stopping strokes
forward stroke with propeller paddle
forward and reverse sweep
draw strokes
bow draw strokes
support strokes, low and high
J stroke, cross bow draw and pry strokes in Canadian canoes
rolling
capsize skills
break in and break outs
gate technique:
forward down stream gates
up stream gates
reverse gates
off set gates
racing:
water familiarisation
pre race preparation
race plan
river reading
rescue techniques.
Participant's performance may include:
performance and accuracy of skills and tactics
attitude and behaviour
ability to link and perform the intermediate skills and tactics of whitewater canoeing.
Stroke analysis and correction may include:
posture
trunk rotation
hand position
leg drive
boat movement.
Relevant aspects may include:
effectiveness of the teaching and coaching session
suitability of teaching and coaching methods
feedback provided to or by participants
initial and final assessment of participant's abilities.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
plans and delivers information, explanations and demonstrations for whitewater canoeing sessions to ensure activities are conducted safely, according to participant's needs
observes and monitors the progress of participants and provides constructive feedback and intervention to improve and develop the skills and tactics of whitewater canoeing to an intermediate level
uses and modifies teaching and coaching techniques and drills, activities and games to cater for a range of individual learning styles
evaluates and reflects on own coaching performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure conduct of safe sessions that reflect the needs and characteristics of a range of participants and are of sufficient duration and breadth to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
whitewater rivers, suitable for intermediate whitewater canoeing
a group of whitewater canoeists to participate in intermediate session or sessions
equipment such as whitewater canoes or kayaks, paddles, grip, spray covers and personal protective equipment
rules, regulations and policies, legislation and organisational policies and procedures that impact on the conduct of drills, activities and games.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation, organisational policies and procedures, and rules, regulations and policies of whitewater canoeing to enable safe conduct of all drills, activities and games during the sessions
observation of safe coaching of intermediate whitewater canoeing skills and tactics, and monitoring and adjusting instructional techniques according to participant's needs, characteristics and responses
portfolio of session plans and self evaluations
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.