Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 3:24 PM AWST

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Demonstrate sea kayaking skills

Demonstrate sea kayaking skills

Unit of competency
National Code
SISOKYS302A
State Code
D6408
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
28/11/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
15/10/2014
Field of Education
092101 - Sport And Recreation Activities
Original Release Date
15/10/2014
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to paddle a sea kayak in controlled conditions. This unit focuses on the demonstration of effective and efficient sea kayaking skills.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan for a sea kayaking activity.
  • 1.1. Identify food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and the conditions of the activity.
  • 1.2. Identify an appropriate activity site and course to take according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 1.3. Access relevant sources to interpret weather and environmental information.
  • 1.4. Identify potential hazards associated with the activity and manage risks as advised by the supervisor.
2. Select equipment.
  • 2.1. Select craft and equipment according to contextual issues and check to ensure that it is in good working condition.
  • 2.2. Fit and adjust equipment to ensure comfort, safety and suitability to the participant and sea kayak.
  • 2.3. Select personal clothing for the activity and identify the design and or construction features that make it appropriate.
  • 2.4. Waterproof and pack equipment that is not required on hand and stow or fasten in a suitable manner.
  • 2.5. Prepare equipment, where required, for safe transportation to activity location.
3. Apply control and manoeuvring techniques.
  • 3.1. Embark and disembark the sea kayak while maintaining stability.
  • 3.2. Direct the sea kayak in a controlled manner.
  • 3.3. Apply efficient stroke technique to minimise injury while directing the sea kayak, using the rudder if fitted.
  • 3.4. Apply navigation skills to determine location and follow planned course during the activity.
4. Apply capsize procedures.
  • 4.1. Exit the sea kayak in a controlled manner, and recover paddles and other equipment, following a capsize.
  • 4.2. Manoeuvre the upturned sea kayak to shore or to rescue craft and empty out water, with assistance if required.
  • 4.3. Apply deep water re-entry techniques.
5. Perform deep water rescue.
  • 5.1. Determine most appropriate rescuemethod to use according to situational variances, relevant legislation, and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 5.2. Select equipment and human resources available to perform a rescue according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 5.3. Deliver concise directions to the capsized person or persons and any others assisting in the rescue.
  • 5.4. Manoeuvre rescue craft into a suitable position to enable a safe rescue.
  • 5.5. Perform rescue in a safe manner according to situation, conditions and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 5.6. Assist the rescuee back into their craft as required.
  • 5.7. Determine most appropriate rescuemethod to use according to situational variances, relevant legislation, and organisational policies and procedures.
6. Secure sea kayak.
  • 6.1. Apply suitable methods to secure the sea kayak to the bank, shore or jetty.
  • 6.2. Secure the sea kayak, where appropriate, for road transport using suitable methods.
7. Evaluate the sea kayaking activity
  • 7.1. Evaluate relevant aspects of the sea kayaking activity.
  • 7.2. Identify improvements for future sea kayaking experiences.
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.
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.
Controlled Conditions may include:
sheltered areas
ease of access to the shore
winds to moderate (16knots, 29kph)
within 400m of the shore
seas less than 1.0 metre
surf no higher than 0.5 metre.
Activity site may include:
sea
beach
harbour
estuary.
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
use and maintenance of equipment
communication protocols
emergency procedures
code of ethics.
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.
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
rips.
Risks may include:


hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment failure.
Craft may include:
single sea kayaks
double sea kayaks
Equipment may include:
personal flotation device
paddle with leash
spray deck
wet suit or wet weather gear
ropes
tie down straps
safety and first aid equipment
pumps
sponges
paddle float.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including tide times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size.
Stroke technique may include:
use of trunk rotation
correct posture
use of leg drive
hand placement on paddle
blade placement in water
blade depth in water
paddle blade angle throughout stroke
paddle entry and exit points
movement of top hand through the stroke
lean or edge of the craft
smooth transfer between different strokes
edging or leaning
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:
applies relevant process to plan equipment and supply requirements according to the conditions and duration of the sea kayaking activity
paddles the sea kayak demonstrating efficient and clean strokes and manoeuvres while maintaining control of the sea kayak
demonstrates correct paddling techniques
applies capsize technique and follows rescue procedures
identifies hazards and risks associated with deep water rescues and select suitable rescue method
demonstrates suitable craft position and rescue techniques suitable to the conditions
adapts to situational variances or issues that may arise during deep water rescues
evaluates and reflects on own sea kayaking performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure participation in multiple sea kayaking activities in controlled conditions to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
resources and information, such as weather sources, to plan and select equipment for the sea kayaking activity
a suitable body of water, such as beach with winds below 16 knots, seas less than one metre, and surf no higher than half a metre
sea kayaking, navigating, safety and rescue equipment
a suitable and safe method of transport, if required to transport sea kayak to and from activity location.
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 and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all sea kayaking activities
observation of safe participation and demonstration of all strokes and manoeuvres while maintaining control of the sea kayak at all times
written and or verbal self evaluation.
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:
SISONAV201A Demonstrate navigation skills in a controlled environment
SISOOPS201A Minimise environmental impact
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
C6214 SROKYS002A Demonstrate simple sea kayaking skills to a high standard Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OBF21 SISOKYS002 Paddle a sea kayak in sheltered coastal waters Unit of competency