Sea Kayaking Grading Scale (old)

Sea kayaking is by its nature dangerous. The sea does not suffer complacency kindly. Paddlers should, therefore, aim to minimise their own risk. Remember, you are the master of your own ocean-going vessel.
The grading system is provided as a guide for members to SELF ASSESS their suitability for Club paddling trips. The various grades are a reflection of ability, experience and fitness for the likely trip conditions. Through inspection of the grading system and discussion with the particular Trip Leader/s, prospective paddlers should determine whether they are competent to attend.

Note
Please contact the Trip Coordinator, well in advance of the date of the trip (at least several days in advance), to discuss attendance. Unless advised otherwise, please also call just before the trip to confirm last-minute changes to the trip.
Paddlers should be aware that paddling on the ocean is generally more physically demanding than on sheltered waters, and that a reasonable fitness level may be required for even moderate distances. You should not expect strangers or others to simply assess your competence and stamina. You may well have passed formal testing but be unfit for the trip on the day. This will temporarily reduce your grading, relative to the proposed trip. If you are in doubt then don’t go.

Equipment
Any paddler anticipating attending a Club paddle should, unless otherwise stated, possess (or be able to acquire) as a minimum the following equipment and preparation.

Essential at all levels:

• well maintained sea kayak with at least 2 bulkheads or a fitted sea-sock and secondary (inflatable or fixed) buoyancy,
• fitted deck lines, paddle and paddle leash, spray skirt,
• sponge, bailer and pump system,
• Australian or NZ Standards approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) with a suitable whistle attached by a lanyard,
• cag or paddle jacket, warm clothing, sun-protective clothing, hat – all accessible from the cockpit,
• sunscreen, matches, food and at least two litres of water – all accessible from the cockpit,
• footwear suitable for paddling, swimming and walking on rocks,
• dry containers,
• first aid kit (group),
• spare paddle (group),
• trip details left with a responsible party,
• knowledge of (and contact details for) the local rescue authorities,
• pre-trip weather check.

Essential at paddler grade 2 and above, recommended at all levels:

• tow rope – Club standard length of 15 metres with suitable bag and fittings ready for quick deployment (check for tangles before departing!)

Essential at paddler grade 3 and above, recommended at all levels:

• hands-free bailing pump system (i.e. electric or foot pump),
• your own spare paddle,
• personal first aid kit, garbage bags and/or “space blanket”,
• compass and charts.

Recommended at all levels:

• additional topographic maps for that unexpected walk out,
• flares and other signals to NSW Waterways specifications,
• instantly accessible knife,
• kayak repair kit – at least a roll of duct tape,
• relevant personal items e.g. medication,
• further warm clothing, waterproof clothing, footwear, food, water and a day pack, secured in dry storage in the kayak,
• emergency shelter and survival equipment,
• helmet for surf landings

Responsibility And Compliance
With the exception of paddling events recommended for Grade 0 and 1 paddlers, where very little experience and ability are expected, prospective paddlers should determine their suitability of their own accord.
Trips suggested for Grade 2 paddlers often set out on open water, sometimes on the ocean (for training purposes), and require a minimum set of skills. At Paddler Grade 2, it is your responsibility to self assess, but you can and should ask for assistance in this assessment, from the trip leader, instructors or senior paddlers.
Enforcement of the grading requirements is not the responsibility of the Trip Leader/s or any Instructors present, for trips intended for paddlers graded at 3 or above. At Grade 3 and above, you have the skills set and experience to assess yourself. Note that paddlers graded at 3 or above have at least an Australian Canoeing Sea Skills 2 Certificate (or equivalent Board of Canoe Education Sea Proficiency Certificate) and are capable of demonstrating the required skills on the day of the trip.

The UQ Canoe Club reserves the right to prevent people from participating in Club events. Failure to meet standards may lead to prohibition from the particular Club event by the Leader/s, Instructor/s or experienced paddler/s. Such an exclusion does not constitute an implicit approval of remaining non-prohibited paddlers. Such a vetting process will be exceptional as paddlers will be expected to exclude themselves.
Where an individual fails to meet the required minimum standard of equipment or competence for a particular grading and yet chooses to continue, the Trip Leader/s, Instructor/s or experienced paddler/s can assume no responsibility for that action. The individual is most familiar with their own gear and ability. Emphasis is upon self-regulation.

Leadership
On paddle trips intended for paddlers graded greater than 2 there may often be a consensus achieved through negotiation. No one person, including the Trip Leader/s assumes responsibility for the other paddler/s decisions. In such circumstances paddlers are obviously committed to communal safety and wellbeing.
At Grade 2 and above, all paddlers should be prepared and ready to care for themselves and others in the event of complications.
Leaders of paddle trips intended for Grade 2 paddlers and above will have an AC Sea Skill 2 Certificate and an AC Sea Guide or Sea Leader qualification. All Club skills training sessions are run by AC qualified Sea Instructors.

Definitions
Club event
an event advertised in the UQ Canoe Club calendar, either in the Club magazine or on the Internet.

Event Coordinator
Club member who disseminates information about and coordinates a particular event. There is no imputed onus of leadership.

Senior/experienced paddler
Club member with considerable paddling experience and skills.

Instructor
A person with sea kayak instructor qualifications recognised by Australian Canoeing.

Trip Leader
person who has formally nominated themselves as such through the paddle advertising and who holds Sea Leader or Sea Guide qualification recognised by Australian Canoeing. All paddle trips intended for paddlers graded 2 or lower will have a Leader or Instructor.
All advertised Club paddles should clearly identify Trip Leader (where appropriate) and minimum paddler grading.

The Grading System Table
This table is intended as a rough guide for members to self-assess their suitability for Club paddles. The weather and sea conditions expected during the trip may result in the cancellation of a trip or a higher skills requirement to participate. For explicit training purposes, these weather conditions may be exceeded at the discretion of the Instructor in charge of the training session.