Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 7:03 AM AWST
22/07/2026 7:03 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 sea kayaking trips in moderate to difficult conditions
Guide sea kayaking trips in moderate to difficult conditions
Unit of competency
National Code
SISOKYS408A
SISOKYS408A
State Code
D6413
D6413
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
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
40
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to guide participants on day and or overnight sea kayaking trips in moderate to difficult conditions. This unit focuses on the application of planning skills to make suitable arrangements to lead a group on a sea kayaking trip.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan a sea kayaking trip.
- 1.1. Conduct relevant assessments to determine the conditionofparticipants.
- 1.2. Develop a trip plan, according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures, to meet participant's needs.
- 1.3. Select a location that is suitable for participants and meets Session's aims and objectives, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.4. Identify hazards associated with sea kayaking in moderate to difficult conditions and manage risks to ensure personal safety of participants.
- 1.5. Access relevantsources 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 the sea kayaking trip.
2. Select equipment for the group.
- 2.1. Select sea kayaks and equipment, according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures, and check serviceability.
- 2.2. Assess sea kayaks 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 sea kayak for transportation if required.
3. Brief participants.
- 3.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information about the sea kayaking trip in a manner suitable to the participants.
- 3.2. Demonstrate correct packing of a sea kayak and sea kayaking techniques where required.
- 3.3. Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use while sea kayaking.
- 3.4. Outline safety procedures and confirm participants are properly equipped for the sea kayaking trip.
4. Lead the group and monitor progress.
- 4.1. Provide direction and advice to group while navigating.
- 4.2. Identify potential hazards and decide how they can be overcome or avoided throughout trip.
- 4.3. Evaluate paddling pace and spacing between sea kayaks throughout trip and alter accordingly.
- 4.4. Implement appropriate modifications to trip in regard to all variable factors that are monitored.
- 4.5. Respond accordingly to any emergency or non routine situation.
5. Complete post trip responsibilities.
- 5.1. Retrieve, inspect, repair and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.
- 5.2. Evaluate relevant aspects of sea kayaking trip.
- 5.3. Identify potential areas of improvement for future sea kayaking trips.
- 5.4. Review own performance and identify potential improvements.
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 development
age
injuries and illnesses.
Plan may include:
aims and objectives
date, time and duration of trip
location, equipment and resources
safety requirements
risk and contingency management plans
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 and participant ratios
camp fire regulations
code of ethics.
Session's aims and objectives may include:
developing sea kayaking 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.
Moderate to difficult conditions may include:
Areas of exposed coastline with currents, difficult landings, or open crossings
open crossings with wind speeds of 17-21 knots
wave heights of at least 1.0metre
surf up to 2.0metres
Distances beyond 4 nautical miles from the nearest shore.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment failure
capsize.
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
surf rescue
authorities
supervisors.
Sea kayaks 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.
Relevant information may include:
safety procedures
logistical details
risk management
sea kayaking techniques
responsible and safe behaviour.
Safety procedures may include:
group launch and land
group movement and spacing
group signals (emergency actions)
capsize procedures
use of safety and rescue equipment
foreseeable hazards and their associated risks and management techniques
communication systems.
Variable factors may include:
change of weather and conditions
equipment failure
participant's needs.
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 development
age
injuries and illnesses.
Plan may include:
aims and objectives
date, time and duration of trip
location, equipment and resources
safety requirements
risk and contingency management plans
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 and participant ratios
camp fire regulations
code of ethics.
Session's aims and objectives may include:
developing sea kayaking 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.
Moderate to difficult conditions may include:
Areas of exposed coastline with currents, difficult landings, or open crossings
open crossings with wind speeds of 17-21 knots
wave heights of at least 1.0metre
surf up to 2.0metres
Distances beyond 4 nautical miles from the nearest shore.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment failure
capsize.
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
surf rescue
authorities
supervisors.
Sea kayaks 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.
Relevant information may include:
safety procedures
logistical details
risk management
sea kayaking techniques
responsible and safe behaviour.
Safety procedures may include:
group launch and land
group movement and spacing
group signals (emergency actions)
capsize procedures
use of safety and rescue equipment
foreseeable hazards and their associated risks and management techniques
communication systems.
Variable factors may include:
change of weather and conditions
equipment failure
participant's needs.
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 sea kayaking 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 sea kayaking trips that reflect the needs and characteristics of a range of participants 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 sea kayaking trip
a suitable sea kayaking location with moderate to difficult sea conditions
a suitable overnight site, if required
participants to take part in the sea kayaking trip
a suitable and safe method of transport, if required, to transport sea kayaks to and from activity location
sea kayaking, 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 a group of 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 sea kayaking trip
observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure
review of sea kayaking 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:
SISOOPS202A Use and maintain a temporary overnight site
SISOOPS303A Interpret weather for marine environments.
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 sea kayaking 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 sea kayaking trips that reflect the needs and characteristics of a range of participants 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 sea kayaking trip
a suitable sea kayaking location with moderate to difficult sea conditions
a suitable overnight site, if required
participants to take part in the sea kayaking trip
a suitable and safe method of transport, if required, to transport sea kayaks to and from activity location
sea kayaking, 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 a group of 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 sea kayaking trip
observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure
review of sea kayaking 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:
SISOOPS202A Use and maintain a temporary overnight site
SISOOPS303A Interpret weather for marine environments.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBF18 | SISOKYS005 | Lead sea kayaking activities in sheltered coastal waters | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J768 | SIS40313 | Certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |
| D445 | SIS50310 | Diploma of Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |
| D439 | SIS40310 | Certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |
| AB990 | SISSS00081 | Sea Kayaking Guide Moderate to Difficult Conditions | Skill set |
| AC731 | SISSS00083 | Sea Kayaking Instructor Moderate to Difficult Conditions | Skill set |