Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 7:04 AM AWST

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Demonstrate sea kayaking skills in moderate to difficult conditions

Demonstrate sea kayaking skills in moderate to difficult conditions

Unit of competency
National Code
SISOKYS304A
State Code
D6410
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
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 apply sea kayaking skills in moderate to difficult conditions. This unit focuses on the application of sea kayaking skills such as capsizing, rolling, navigating, and reading and assessing sea conditions.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan a sea kayaking activity.
  • 1.1. Identify and plan food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and contextual issues.
  • 1.2. Identify an appropriate activity location according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 1.3. Access relevant sources to interpret weather and environmental information and determine activity plan.
  • 1.4. Identify potential hazards associated with the activity and determine a contingency plan to manage risks.
2. Select equipment.
  • 2.1. Select sea kayak and equipment according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures, and check working condition.
  • 2.2. Fit and adjust equipment according to manufacturer's specifications to ensure efficient posture, comfort, safety and suitability to the participant and sea kayak.
  • 2.3. Select personal equipment for the activity according to the design and or construction features that make it appropriate.
  • 2.4. Select safety and rescue equipment appropriate to the activity location.
  • 2.5. Prepare sea kayak for transportation if required.
  • 2.6. Waterproof, pack and fasten equipment that is not required on hand, and prepare sea kayak for launch
3. Control sea kayak in moderate sea conditions.
  • 3.1. Embark and disembark the sea kayak whilst maintaining stability.
  • 3.2. Apply efficient strokes and paddling techniques to cross to manoeuvre the sea kayak across, into and down wind.
  • 3.3. Use waves and moderate to difficult sea conditions to assist in turning the sea kayak.
  • 3.4. Apply suitable stroke and technique to move the sea kayak sideways, and avoid hazards.
  • 3.5. Manoeuvre the sea kayak to form a raft, when required, and disperse from raft efficiently.
4. Plan and conduct a sea kayak trip.
  • 4.1. Plan a sea kayaking trip including activity site, distance and duration and after reading and assessing the weather and sea conditions.
  • 4.2. Ensure sufficient equipment and personal requirements are in order, according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 4.3. Apply navigation techniques throughout sea kayaking trip.
  • 4.4. Maintain appropriate communication with other paddlers.
5. Roll a sea kayak in surf of up to one metre.
  • 5.1. Determine roll techniques appropriate to sea kayaking in moderate to difficult conditions.
  • 5.2. Perform a roll and maintain calm whilst upside down in moderate to difficult conditions.
  • 5.3. Regain paddling position promptly, on completion of roll.
6. Apply capsize procedures.
  • 6.1. Exit the sea kayak, when rolling is not possible, in a controlled manner following capsize.
  • 6.2. Maintain appropriate body position in the water to minimise injury and entrapment.
  • 6.3. Demonstrate safe and efficient deep water rescue procedures in moderate to difficult conditions.
7. Evaluate 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.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size.
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 and safety procedures
minimal impact codes
camp fire regulations
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.
Contingency plan may include:
alternate routes
exit points
spare equipment in case of delay, loss, illness, injury or damage.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment failure.
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.
Safety and rescue equipment include:
tow lines
pumps or bailers
paddle float
sponge
communication equipment:
flares
radios
waterproofed mobile phones
V sheets
Emergency positioning indicating radio beacon - EPIRB
Embark and disembark may include:
off beaches
jetties and pontoons
in tidal current
in small surf.
Strokes may include:
forward and reverse
J
sweep
draw
support
Paddling techniques 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.
Moderate to difficult sea 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.
Navigation techniques may include:
using a sea chart
reading charts on open water
calculating times and distances for the legs of a sea kayaking trip allowing for sea conditions
taking navigational fixes from known landmarks using a chart and compass
understanding of transits and distances off
following a bearing, and allowing for sea conditions.
Roll techniques may include:
sweep
brace
C to C
Pawlatta or extended paddle
Deep water rescue procedures may include:
capsize and rescues, as rescuer and rescuee
towing a rescuee with and without support
being towed as a rescuee
rolling
paddle float rescue.
Relevant aspects may include:
objectives
planning process
activity site
weather
equipment selection
clothing selection
food selection
instructional content
instructional technique
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 kayaking activity
applies knowledge of weather and sea conditions to plan and navigate a sea kayaking trip and makes decisions regarding negotiation of hazards and safety of self and group
demonstrates control of strokes, capsizing and rolling techniques, and participates in rescues in moderate sea conditions
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 sea kayaking activities that are of sufficient breadth and duration 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
suitable sea kayaking locations with winds of moderate sea conditions of 11-16 knots and breaking or overtopping waves up to 1 metre
sea kayaking, navigation, first aid and safety and rescue equipment
a suitable and safe method of transport, if required to drive 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:
observation of the planning and review process
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 sea kayaking skills, such as capsizing and rolling a sea kayak
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:
SISOOPS303A Interpret weather for marine environments.
SISOOPS204A Use and maintain a temporary overnight site
SISOKYS406A Plan and navigate a sea kayaking inshore passage
SISOKYS302A Demonstrate sea kayaking skills
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
C6215 SROKYS003A Apply sea kayaking skills in moderate conditions Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OBF19 SISOKYS003 Paddle a sea kayak in exposed coastal waters Unit of competency