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Personal Skills Star Award Course

Course Information

1 Star Award

Aim: To introduce beginners to the sports in a safe and enjoyable way.
Environment: Simple coastal water
Pre-entry Requirement:          Swimming 50 m with PFD (Minimum age 12 years old)
Course Duration: 12 hours
Type of Craft:
 Single seat closed cockpit kayak
Trainer/Assessor:
 
 Level 1 Coach or above
Technical Skills:
  • Lifting & Carrying
  • Launching & coming ashore
  • Embarking & disembarking
  • Forward paddle a circuit of 100m with directional control
  • Reverse paddle a circuit of 25m with directional control
  • Stopping
  • Forward & reverse sweep strokes
  • Planned capsize followed by swim ashore with retention of kayak and paddle
  • Emptying of water
  • Simple beginnings of moving sideways (‘J’ draw and classic draw)
  • Simple beginnings of stern rudder (going in a straight line)
  • Simple beginnings of low recovery
  • Rafted ‘X’ rescue
Journey Experience: None
Theory:
  • Basic equipment, including features of a kayak
  • Basic safety issues

2 Star Award

Aim: To develop the range of basic strokes and manoeuvres for novices.
Environment: Simple coastal water
Pre-entry Requirement:          One Star Award
Course Duration: 18 hours
Type of Craft: Single seat closed cockpit kayak with spray deck
Trainer/Assessor: Level 2 Coach or above
Technical Skills:
  • Lifting and carrying
  • Launching and coming ashore
  • Demonstrate efficient forward and reverse paddling
  • Demonstrate forward and reverse sweep strokes
  • Demonstrate the ability to spin the kayak on the spot using alternate forward and reverse sweeps
  • Demonstrate 'J' draw and classic draw with directional control
  • Demonstrate stern rudder with directional control
  • Demonstrate basic use of edge control
  • Demonstrate basic low recovery
  • Demonstrate basic high recovery
  • Demonstrate low brace turn with edge control
  • Capsize and wet exit with retention of kayak and paddle
  • Demonstrate 'X' rescue as a rescuer and patient
  • Demonstrate a kayak to swimmer rescue (bow carry)
  • Demonstrate an Eskimo bow rescue as a patient
  • Demonstrate the beginnings of sculling draw strokes
  • Demonstrate the beginnings of bow rudder (blade placed between bow and cockpit)
Journey Experience: At least one journey of 6 km
Oral Theory Test:
  • Personal Equipment
  • Simple knowledge of tides and currents
  • Weather hazards
  • Environmental hazards

3 Star Award

Aim: To introduce more advanced manoeuvres and full range of dynamic skills to intermediate paddlers. This award confirms candidate as a competent canoeist with a comprehensive repertoire of basic strokes and a general awareness of the sport and the opportunities it offers.
Environment: Simple coastal water
Pre-entry Requirement:         
  • Two Star Award
  • Swimming 50 m without PFD
Course Duration: 24 hours
Type of Craft: Single seat closed cockpit kayak with spray deck
Trainer/Assessor: Level 3 Coach or above
Technical Skills:
  • Demonstrate efficient forward and reverse paddling
  • Demonstrate efficient use of sweep strokes both stationary and on the move
  • Demonstrate edging to assist turning
  • Demonstrate efficient recovery strokes, including on the move
  • Demonstrate sculling for support
  • Demonstrate efficient bow rudder (dynamic body position with blade between leg and hip)
  • Demonstrate draw on the move
  • Demonstrate hanging draw
  • Demonstrate an efficient 'X' rescue without assistance
  • Demonstrate an efficient Eskimo bow rescues as a patient and rescuer
  • Demonstrate an efficient side (paddle presentation) rescue as a patient and rescuer
  • Demonstrate kayak to swimmer rescue (stern carry)
  • Demonstrate swimmer to kayak rescue
  • Demonstrate 3 reliable consecutive rolls on flat water
  • Demonstrate the use of long tow
  • Plan and execute a journey
Pre-assessment requirement: Five journeys of 8 km each at two different sections of coastline
Theory:
  • Basic knowledge of boat design characteristics
  • Basic knowledge of choice of equipment for different situations
  • Basic knowledge of paddle design characteristics
  • Basic knowledge of basic first aid
  • Basic understanding of hypothermia and hyperthermia
  • Basic understanding of dehydration

3 Star Revisit

Aim: To renew the Three Star Award (Trainee) validity for Three Star Assessment.
Environment: Simple coastal water
Pre-entry Requirement:         
  • Three Star Award (Trainee)
  • Swimming 50 m without PFD
  • Log book showing required previous experience
Course Duration: 4 hours
Type of Craft: Single seat closed cockpit kayak with spray deck
Trainer/Assessor: Level 3 Coach or above
Technical Skills:
  • Demonstrate efficient forward and reverse paddling
  • Demonstrate efficient use of sweep strokes both stationary and on the move
  • Demonstrate edging to assist turning
  • Demonstrate efficient recovery strokes, including on the move
  • Demonstrate sculling for support
  • Demonstrate efficient bow rudder (dynamic body position with blade between leg and hip)
  • Demonstrate draw on the move
  • Demonstrate hanging draw
  • Demonstrate an efficient 'X' rescue without assistance
  • Demonstrate an efficient Eskimo bow rescues as a patient and rescuer
  • Demonstrate an efficient side (paddle presentation) rescue as a patient and rescuer
  • Demonstrate swimmer to kayak rescue (stern carry)
  • Demonstrate 3 reliable consecutive rolls on flat water
  • Demonstrate the use of long tow
  • Plan and execute a journey
Pre-assessment requirement: Five journeys of 8 km each at two different sections of coastline
Theory:
  • Basic knowledge of boat design characteristics
  • Basic knowledge of choice of equipment for different situations
  • Basic knowledge of paddle design characteristics
  • Basic knowledge of basic first aid
  • Basic understanding of hypothermia and hyperthermia
  • Basic understanding of dehydration

4 Star Award (Sea)

Aim: This is an environment specific journeying award to be designated and endorsed for "Sea and Open Water Award". It confirms the candidate's competence to journey on technically demanding water requiring judgment and refinement of basic strokes, skills and techniques.
Environment: Sea and Open Water in waves of at least 0.5 m in height
Pre-entry Requirement:         
  • Three Star Award
  • At least 18 years and above
  • Attended a Sea Kayak Workshop
  • Log book showing required previous experience
  • 10 open water journeys of 16 km each on 2 different sections of coastline, including 2 camp out
Course Duration: Four full days
Type of Craft: Sea Kayak with closed cockpit and immobilised rudder (if fitted)
Trainer/Assessor: Level 4 Coach or above
Technical Skills (Sea and Open Water Award):
  • Demonstrate Launching on both steep and shallow beaches
  • Demonstrate coming ashore on both steep and shallow beaches
  • Demonstrate surfing technique on both green and breaking waves
  • Demonstrate efficient use of paddle brace
  • Demonstrate reliable rolling technique
  • Demonstrate Eskimo rescues as rescuer and as a patient
  • Demonstrate ferry-glide technique
  • Demonstrate efficient 'X' rescue as a rescuer and as a patient without assistance
  • Demonstrate efficient contribution to an all-in rescue
  • Demonstrate the use of long tows
Theory:
  • Basic navigation
  • Basic tidal vectors
  • Understanding of waves
  • Safety and risk assessment
  • Fleet management

4 Star Award (River)

Aim: This is an environment specific journeying award to be designated and endorsed for "River". It confirms the candidate's competence to journey on technically demanding water requiring judgment and refinement of basic strokes, skills and techniques.
Environment: The river award should be taken on moving water of Grade II to III.
Pre-entry Requirement:         
  • Three Star Award
  • Log book showing required previous experience.
  • Recognised current First-Aid Certification.
  • At least 18 years and above
Trainer/Assessor: Level 4 Coach or above
Type of Craft: General purpose closed-cockpit white-water kayak
Technical Skills (River Award):
  • Demonstrate sound understanding of "reading the river". In particular, the selection of a safe and controlled line to negotiate a Grade 2-3 rapid
  • Demonstrate the ability to move the kayak sideways to maintain a suitable line through a Grade 2-3 rapid, including use of reverse ferry glide, draw and hanging-draw
  • Demonstrate the ability to both forward and reverse ferry glide in a moderate current, including the use of such manoeuvres to select a line and set the kayak up for the descent of a chute or rapid
  • Demonstrate the ability to execute controlled break-ins and break-outs (eddy turns) on Grade 2-3 water, using both low brace turns and bow rudders as appropriate, with clear evidence of tilt and edge control
  • Demonstrate the ability to surf small waves and use waves to assist in the crossing of a "jet" or "tongue"
  • Demonstrate any reliable rolling technique on a "safe" tongue of moving water
  • Demonstrate the ability to recognise "friendly" holes and stoppers, including the ability to enter them, paddle-brace and exit from such a hole
  • Demonstrate the use of a throw line, including the ability to throw with reasonable accuracy in the prevailing conditions and set up a sound waist belay
  • Demonstrate the ability to help manoeuvre both a "swimmer" and an empty kayak in need of rescue by suitable tow/nudging technique etc.
  • Demonstrate use of appropriate equipment to carry out a simple kayak repair during a river journey.
Journey Experience: Produce a log book showing evidence of at least 10 "quality" river journeys (requiring more than half a day to execute) at least 6 of which must be on graded water and at least 2 of these must be on different rivers.
Theory: Show good all-round knowledge of river kayaking issues, including:

  • Choice of equipment
  • River Hazards
  • Planning issues

5 Star Award (Sea)

Aim: This is an environment-specific advanced journeying award to be designated and endorsed for Sea and Open Water Award. It confirms the candidate’s competence at an advanced level to journey on the most demanding water, requiring the highest levels of judgement and technical skills, including the ability to lead a group at this level.
Environment: Sea and open water in waves of at least 1 m in height
Pre-entry Requirement:         
  • Four Star Award (Sea and Open Water)
  • Recognised current first aid certification
  • 5 sea journey of 30 km each
  • 24 hours of 4 Star skill consolidation
  • Endorsed by Level 4 Coach as competent to proceed to 5 Star Training Course
Course Duration: Three full days
Type of Craft: Sea Kayak with closed cockpit and immobilised rudder (if fitted)
Trainer/Assessor: Level 5 Coaches and coaching panel
Technical Skills (Sea and Open Water Award):
  • Organise problematic launches and landings
  • Brief, organise and maintain group control in a 4 star environment
  • Organise and execute various techniques in rescue in waves of 0.5m
Theory:
  • General knowledge of canoe sports
  • Knowledge of sea kayaks and related equipment
  • Understanding of all matters pertaining to planning a sea journey
  • Undertake a theoretical navigation exercise to include the use of tide tables, tidal stream atlas, charts and pilots/cruising guides
  • Knowledge of buoyage
  • Knowledge of meteorological issues and weather information

2 Star Refresher

Aim: To develop the range of basic strokes and manoeuvres for novices.
Environment: Simple coastal water
Pre-entry Requirement:          Two Star Award
Course Duration: 5 hours
Type of Craft: Single seat closed cockpit kayak with spray deck
Trainer/Assessor: Level 2 Coach or above
Technical Skills:
  • Lifting and carrying
  • Launching and coming ashore
  • Demonstrate efficient forward and reverse paddling
  • Demonstrate forward and reverse sweep strokes
  • Demonstrate the ability to spin the kayak on the spot using alternate forward and reverse sweeps
  • Demonstrate 'J' draw and classic draw with directional control
  • Demonstrate stern rudder with directional control
  • Demonstrate basic use of edge control
  • Demonstrate basic low recovery
  • Demonstrate basic high recovery
  • Demonstrate low brace turn with edge control
  • Capsize and wet exit with retention of kayak and paddle
  • Demonstrate 'X' rescue as a rescuer and patient
  • Demonstrate a kayak to swimmer rescue (bow carry)
  • Demonstrate an Eskimo bow rescue as a patient
  • Demonstrate the beginnings of sculling draw strokes
  • Demonstrate the beginnings of bow rudder (blade placed between bow and cockpit)
Journey Experience: At least one journey of 6 km
Oral Theory Test:
  • Personal Equipment
  • Simple knowledge of tides and currents
  • Weather hazards
  • Environmental hazards

Upcoming Course Details:

 

To sign up, please click on this link.

 

For information on certificate conversion, please click on this link.

   

Certificate Collection:

 

1 Star

 

Certificates for courses conducted up to 09/10/22 are ready.

 

Kindly collect within 6 months from course date.

 

2 Star

 

Certificates for courses conducted up to 09/10/22 are ready.

 

Kindly collect within 6 months from course date.

 

Certificate Collection Centre - Outside NSA Office

Our collection times are from 9am to 12pm, and 2pm to 5pm, from Mondays to Fridays.

 

Singapore Canoe Federation

NSA office

Singapore Sports Hub

3 Stadium Drive, #01-33 S(397630)

 

Near exit A of Stadium MRT station.

 

Kindly drop us a call at 6344 6337 before you head down to our office. Thank you.

 

*Please be informed that we have replaced the participants’ NRIC number to Date of Birth for verification purposes in relevant documents.

**For the list of affiliates that are conducting star courses recognised by SCF, please click on this link.

***In view of the ongoing COVID-19 situation, SCF will extend validity of 3 Star Award (Trainee) status for 1 year. Those who have taken the 3 Star Award in 2019 & 2020 will have a total of 2 years validity to clear the 3 Star Assessment.

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