British Canoe Union 3 star Sea Kayak Certification

FAST FACTS
Description:	Achieve BCU 3-star with an introduction to overnight wilderness sea kayak camping along a moderately exposed coastline
2012 Dates:	Tue Aug 21, 7 pm – Sat 25 mid afternoon
Price:	Click here for pricing
Prerequisites:	BCU 1-star/PC Level1 or equivalent plus at least three separate day trips covering at least 15 km plus a 3 hr session in an alternative paddling discipline.
Length:	32 hours over four days
Ratio:	One instructor to four students
Equivalency:	ACA Coastal Kayak III
Certification:	BCU 3-star assessment offered Sat Aug 25.

Our intent is to run our BCU 3 star course concurrently with the Paddle Canada level 2 skills certification course over a 4 day period. This allows 3 days to cover BCU syllabus plus an additional sea kayak overnight camping component to cover Paddle Canada level 2 skills syllabus. Participants who meet criteria will be able to obtain Paddle Canada Level II skills and take the BCU 3-star assessment at the course end.

The mixing of British and Canadian course syllabus and skilled instructors with Lake Superior and the mouth of the Michipicoten River will result in a very unique and dynamic learning experience.

Course Instructors:

Bonnie Perry

BCU Sea Coach 3, BCU/UKCC Level 1 Coach, ACA Level 4 Open Water Instructor Trainer, ACA Eskimo Rolling Endorsement, Paddle Canada level 2 Instructor endorsement. Bonnie teaches both Euro & Traditional paddling.

Ray Boucher

Level II instructor.

Topics

Safety	Theory	Skills
Bow rescue T-rescue Self-rescue Eskimo paddle rescue Scoop rescue Eskimo roll contact tows tow-line use	Safety equipment Weather Navigation Tides and currents Planning a multi-day trip First aid for paddlers Risk management	Landing and launching in rough seas Advanced edging Forward stroke Sweep strokes Support strokes Dynamic turning strokes Paddling in wind, waves and current Surf launch and landing

Level 2 sea kayak skills

This course is for paddlers with well-practiced fundamental skills looking to refine their paddling and rescue techniques. Arrive prepared for wilderness camping and lots of time on and in the water. Sea kayaks, camping gear, paddling tops and wetsuits are provided as required. Beach camping is included and alternatively, rooms are available (at an additional cost) at Rock Island Lodge.

Is this BCU 3- star & PC Level 2 sea kayak skills course right for you?

If you just graduated from BCU 1 star or PC Level 1, this course is not for you (yet). You’ll have practiced your skills and rescues and be comfortable and competent with them in waves up to 20 cm. You’ll have done at least three separate day trips covering at least 15 km each. You’ll have been out once in bumpy water and want to learn more. You'll want to take your skill set from good to strong-intermediate. You’ll have your roll or be close to getting it. You'll have also spent at least three hours exploring other paddling disciplines such as SUP, Canoe, WW kayak, etc.

To BCU & PC Certify or to not BCU/PC Certify? That is the Question!

Our objective is to provide you with skills required to safely and effectively plan and undertake overnight sea kayak trips in moderately exposed, open water conditions. Those wishing to attain certification will be assessed based on their planning, paddling and rescue skills in the context of an overnight sea kayak journey in appropriate conditions. You will be assessed separately for each course based on the criteria for each course. See detailed course descriptions for more detail.

If certification is not important to you, great. Rest assured, you’ll be getting top notch instruction from qualified instructors who love sharing their passion for paddling with you.

BCU 3-star/Level II sea kayak syllabus

BCU 3 star sea guidance notes