Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 12:23 AM AWST
23/07/2026 12:23 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Guide canoeing trips on flat and undemanding water
Guide canoeing trips on flat and undemanding water
Unit of competency
National Code
SISOCNE305A
SISOCNE305A
State Code
D6315
D6315
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Transition (Replaced)
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
13/10/2014
Field of Education
092101 - Sport And Recreation Activities
Original Release Date
13/10/2014
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to guide participants on day and or overnight canoeing trips on flat and undemanding water. This unit focuses on the application of planning skills to make suitable arrangements to lead a group on a canoeing trip.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan a canoeing trip.
- 1.1. Conduct relevant assessments to determine the condition of participants.
- 1.2. Develop a trip plan, according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures and participant's needs.
- 1.3. Select a location that is suitable for participants and meets session aim and objectives, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.4. Identify hazards associated with canoeing on flat and undemanding water and manage risks to ensure personal safety of participants.
- 1.5. Access relevant sources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information to determine trip plan.
- 1.6. Determine food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and contextual issues of the trip.
- 1.7. Inform appropriate authorities before and after commencing the canoeing trip.
2. Select equipment for the group.
- 2.1. Select canoes and equipment according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures and check serviceability.
- 2.2. Assess canoes and equipment for safety and suitability and adjust and fit according to manufacturer's specifications.
- 2.3. Check safety and rescue equipment to ensure suitability to the group and planned trip.
- 2.4. Waterproof, pack and fasten equipment that is not required on hand and prepare canoe for transportation if required.
3. Brief participants.
- 3.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information about the canoeing trip in a manner suitable to the participants.
- 3.2. Demonstrate packing of a canoe, and canoeing techniques where required.
- 3.3. Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use while canoeing.
- 3.4. Outline safety procedures and confirm participants are properly equipped for the canoeing trip.
4. Lead the group and monitor progress
- 4.1. Provide direction and advice to group while navigating.
- 4.2. Identify potential hazards and manage risks.
- 4.3. Monitor individual participant's performance and provide appropriate feedback.
- 4.4. Evaluate paddling pace and spacing between canoes throughout trip and alter accordingly.
- 4.5. Implement appropriate modifications to trip in regard to all variable factors that are monitored.
- 4.6. Maintain effective communication throughout trip.
5. Select and maintain a temporary site as required.
- 5.1. Access local area knowledge and use it to identify a suitable temporary site according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 5.2. Arrange shelter according to prevailing weather conditions, and comfort and safety of group.
- 5.3. Maintain minimal impact to environment during overnight stay, and return site to original standard on departure.
6. Complete post trip responsibilities.
- 6.1. Retrieve, inspect, repair and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.
- 6.2. Evaluate relevant aspects of the trip.
- 6.3. Review own performance and participant feedback and identify areas of improvement for future trips.
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.
Condition of participants may include:
previous experience
physical capabilities
age
injuries and illnesses.
Plan may include:
aims and objectives
date, time and duration
location, equipment and resources
guide to participant ratios
safety requirements
risk and contingency management plan.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations
marine regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
time and budget constraints
use and maintenance of equipment
communication protocols
confidentiality of participant information
guide to participant ratios
emergency and safety procedures
international river grading system
code of ethics.
Session aims and objectives may include:
developing canoeing skills
education
development
therapy
fitness targets
recreation.
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
slippery or unstable terrain
dangerous animals and insects
stinging trees and nettles
dense vegetation
group management hazards
slippery or unstable shore
poor posture, poor technique
poor carrying techniques
loose or insecure craft when being transported.
other craft.
Flat and undemanding water may include:
sheltered and calm waters
within 400m of the shore
winds to moderate - 16knots and 29kph)
ease of access to shore
minimal flow of water (less than 1knot, 1.8kph).
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment failure.
Relevant sources may include:
Bureau of Meteorology
media
land managers or agencies
coastal patrol or coastguard
volunteer marine rescue
local knowledge.
Weather and environmental information may include:
satellite images
daily and weekly forecasts
maximum and minimum temperatures
weather warnings
event warnings
river levels
synoptic charts
high and low tide predictions.
Food and water requirements may include:
menu planning and preparation
range of foods.
Principles of nutrition may include:
food groups
dietary guidelines
individual food requirements and allergies.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size.
Appropriate authorities may include:
waterways departments
river rescue
authorities
supervisors.
Canoes may include:
C1 craft
C2 craft.
Equipment may include:
canoeing equipment
resources
safety, first aid and rescue equipment
navigation equipment
communication equipment
repair equipment
camping and overnight equipment.
Relevant information may include:
safety procedures
logistical details
risk management
canoeing techniques
responsible and safe behaviour.
Safety procedures may include:
capsizing procedures
boundaries
symptoms, treatment and prevention of common canoeing risks
communication systems
use of safety and rescue equipment.
Variable factors may include:
change of weather and conditions
equipment failure
participant's needs.
Temporary site may include:
rest stops
activity sites
temporary or overnight shelter
tent.
Relevant aspects may include:
objectives
planning process
activity site
weather
equipment selection
clothing selection
food selection
instructional content
instructional technique
assessment technique
group feedback
directing techniques
rescue techniques employed.
Condition of participants may include:
previous experience
physical capabilities
age
injuries and illnesses.
Plan may include:
aims and objectives
date, time and duration
location, equipment and resources
guide to participant ratios
safety requirements
risk and contingency management plan.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations
marine regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
time and budget constraints
use and maintenance of equipment
communication protocols
confidentiality of participant information
guide to participant ratios
emergency and safety procedures
international river grading system
code of ethics.
Session aims and objectives may include:
developing canoeing skills
education
development
therapy
fitness targets
recreation.
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
slippery or unstable terrain
dangerous animals and insects
stinging trees and nettles
dense vegetation
group management hazards
slippery or unstable shore
poor posture, poor technique
poor carrying techniques
loose or insecure craft when being transported.
other craft.
Flat and undemanding water may include:
sheltered and calm waters
within 400m of the shore
winds to moderate - 16knots and 29kph)
ease of access to shore
minimal flow of water (less than 1knot, 1.8kph).
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment failure.
Relevant sources may include:
Bureau of Meteorology
media
land managers or agencies
coastal patrol or coastguard
volunteer marine rescue
local knowledge.
Weather and environmental information may include:
satellite images
daily and weekly forecasts
maximum and minimum temperatures
weather warnings
event warnings
river levels
synoptic charts
high and low tide predictions.
Food and water requirements may include:
menu planning and preparation
range of foods.
Principles of nutrition may include:
food groups
dietary guidelines
individual food requirements and allergies.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size.
Appropriate authorities may include:
waterways departments
river rescue
authorities
supervisors.
Canoes may include:
C1 craft
C2 craft.
Equipment may include:
canoeing equipment
resources
safety, first aid and rescue equipment
navigation equipment
communication equipment
repair equipment
camping and overnight equipment.
Relevant information may include:
safety procedures
logistical details
risk management
canoeing techniques
responsible and safe behaviour.
Safety procedures may include:
capsizing procedures
boundaries
symptoms, treatment and prevention of common canoeing risks
communication systems
use of safety and rescue equipment.
Variable factors may include:
change of weather and conditions
equipment failure
participant's needs.
Temporary site may include:
rest stops
activity sites
temporary or overnight shelter
tent.
Relevant aspects may include:
objectives
planning process
activity site
weather
equipment selection
clothing selection
food selection
instructional content
instructional technique
assessment technique
group feedback
directing techniques
rescue techniques employed.
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 within activity constraints and guides and monitors group in a safe and professional manner
applies contingency management techniques to make adjustments to deal with a range of problems or variable factors that may arise during canoeing trips
encourages and responds to group feedback and evaluates and reflects on own guiding performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure the safe guiding of groups on canoeing trips in locations that reflect local conditions and are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
resources and information regarding participants and location to plan, guide and document canoeing trip
a body of flat and undemanding water suitable for the participants
a suitable overnight site, where required
participants to take part in the canoeing trip
a suitable and safe method of transport, if required, to drive canoe to and from activity location
canoeing, navigation, overnight, first aid and safety and rescue equipment.
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:
observation of planning and guiding processes and interacting with participants, including conveying information for safe participation
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of canoeing trip
observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure
portfolio of canoeing trip plans
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SISOOPS204A Use and maintain a temporary overnight site
SISOOPS304A Plan for minimal environmental impact
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
plans within activity constraints and guides and monitors group in a safe and professional manner
applies contingency management techniques to make adjustments to deal with a range of problems or variable factors that may arise during canoeing trips
encourages and responds to group feedback and evaluates and reflects on own guiding performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure the safe guiding of groups on canoeing trips in locations that reflect local conditions and are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
resources and information regarding participants and location to plan, guide and document canoeing trip
a body of flat and undemanding water suitable for the participants
a suitable overnight site, where required
participants to take part in the canoeing trip
a suitable and safe method of transport, if required, to drive canoe to and from activity location
canoeing, navigation, overnight, first aid and safety and rescue equipment.
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:
observation of planning and guiding processes and interacting with participants, including conveying information for safe participation
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of canoeing trip
observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure
portfolio of canoeing trip plans
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SISOOPS204A Use and maintain a temporary overnight site
SISOOPS304A Plan for minimal environmental impact
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBF62 | SISOCNE005 | Lead canoeing activities on inland flatwater | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AC463 | SISSS00018 | Canoeing Guide Flat Water | Skill set |
| AC536 | SISSS00021 | Canoeing Instructor Flat Water | Skill set |
| J761 | SIS30413 | Certificate III in Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |
| J768 | SIS40313 | Certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |