BCU 3 Star Test (closed cockpit kayak)

as lifted from page 30 of the bcu coaching service directory of tests and awards ct.401/96/2 (latest version)

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BCU Star Awards

AIM

Successful performance at this level indicates that candidates can consider them-selves as intermediate canoeists rather than beginners.
3 star level is required for attending a course for the qualification of level 2 coach (instructor).

PRE-REQUISITES

BCU 2 Star Test. Where a candidate does not hold this award a small cross-section of 1 Star & 2 Star techniques should be incorporated at the examiners discretion.

VENUE

sheltered water (not a swimming pool).

ASSESSOR

Level 3 Kayak Coach (Senior Instructor) or higher.

THEORY

EQUIPMENT

Sample questions

1. What material are most modern general purpose kayaks made from?
2. Plastic...typically high density polyethylene
3. What advantage does a spray deck made from neoprene give?
4. doesn’t leak (so much)
5. What is the main difference between a 'dry cag' and a 'wet suit top'?
6. Dry cag keeps virtually all the water out and stops the wind.

SAFETY

sample questions

1. What would you pay special attention to if you were going out kayaking in the winter?
2. Clothing to prevent hypothermia - (Editor's note; both when on the water and off) Daylight (short hours), Food & Hot drink. Don’t stay out on water too long if you get cold, muscles don’t respond well when cold, careful of cold shock if submerged. Possibility of rivers in spate.
3. Why can a rapid or fast moving water be dangerous?
4. You have less time to react to situationsand obstacles eg rocks, trees. Also always scout out an unknown stretch of water, because there may be a nasty waterfall or muncher awaiting you

HYPOTHERMIA/FIRST AID

sample questions

1. What are the signs that someone is becoming hypothermic?
2. Becoming quiet, Slow response, Pale in colour;
   37 °C normal core temperature
   35-36°C shivering & goose bumps
   30-35°C shivering stops and hypothermia sets in
   25°C or below fatal
3. What are the most important things to do if someone suffers a bad injury?
4. Depends on situation. In short you need to get qualified medical assistance. You may need to stabilise the casualty first so that :
   1. they aren’t in further danger,
   2. do any necessary first aid, e.g. stopping bleeding, recovery position etc
      (Editors note: I highly advise doing a first aid course..)

ACCESS

sample questions

1. What is an 'access agreement'?
2. What sort of behaviour is most likely to upset an access agreement?
3. what is meant by 'a navigation'?

ENVIRONMENT

sample questions

1. What is the most distressing/disturbing wildlife encounter you have had whilst canoeing?
2. Who would you contact if you came across signs of serious pollution - eg oil, sewage, foul smells, dead fish & birds?
3. NRA (in England)

PLANNING

Sample questions

1. What average speed do you think you can travel at over a 4-hour journey in your kayak without a strong wind or current to help or hinder you?
2. What questions would you ask the leader if, as a 3 Star paddler, you were invited to take part in a day tour travelling about 12 miles down river?

GENERAL

Sample questions

1. Name two manufacturers of kayaks in britain?
2. How does joining the SCA help canoeing generally?
3. Do I detect a subtle hint to join the SCA
4. Have you heard of Rob Roy MacGregor?

GROUP AWARENESS

Sample questions

1. On which side of a navigable river or canal should you paddle?
2. How would you raise the alarm if you were paddling at the back of a group and the person ahead of you capsized?

MAP and COMPASS

Sample questions

1. Why is it important to have a compass with you when on a journey?
2. What sort of map is the best one to have with you for a journey on a river or canal?

PRACTICAL 'A'

1 Lifting, carrying and launching.

Demonstrate good lifting and carrying techniques appropriate to getting a kayak from or to a car rack or a trailer, with assistance if required. the candidate should be able to launch safely and efficiently from any reasonable launching spot. eg pier, steps, high river bank.

2 Efficient forward paddling.

Evidence of efficient forward paddling. good trunk rotation, extended front arm, reasonably high paddling action (depending on boat). (are the knees/legs cycling? don’t ask me what they are on about) the demonstration will be over a distance of about 500m (throughout the test) and will show good speed and control.

3 Reverse over a figure-of-8 course.

Accurate and efficient backward paddling over a prescribed figure-of-8 course.

4 Turning whilst on the move.

Turn the kayak quickly with the minimum loss of forward speed by means of a low brace turn, and by a bow rudder.

Low brace turn.

The turn to be induced by applying a sweep stroke on the opposite side to the turn, followed by a confident edge into the turn. back of the paddle blade trailing on the surface ready for support. perform both left and right.

Bow rudder.

The intention is to indicate that the kayak can be pivoted around the paddle. the turn to be induced by applying a sweep stroke on the opposite side to the turn. the blade should then be planted in the water at a comfortable distance from the gunwale, about level with the knees, with the drive face towards the boat but the leading edge angled away from the bow. Trunk rotation should be in evidence, the top arm across the top of the head. the boat is driven around the paddle by use of the opposite knee.

5 Moving sideways, both static and on the move.

Move the kayak sideways in both directions by means of sculling draw, draw on the move and hanging draw.

Sculling draw.

Body well rotated. Paddle shaft vertical, blade deep in the water. An effective sideways movement must be in evidence without the kayak turning.

Draw on the move.

The kayak, whilst moving forward, is to be pulled sideways from its course without turning (as if to avoid an obstacle) using a draw stroke.

Hanging draw.

The kayak to be moved sideways over a greater distance than that of a draw stroke on the move. with the kayak moving forward at a good speed, the paddle should be placed out to the side, level with or just behind hip. The kayak should move sideways without the paddle moving in relation to the boat, or the kayak turning. (it may be necessary for the bow to be held at a slight angle away from the paddle).

6 Supporting.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate sculling for support and both low and high recovery strokes. each to be demonstrated on both sides.

Sculling for Support.

The paddle kept low, nearly horizontal, the kayak edged so that it is off balance. good, confident committal to the paddle.

Recovery strokes.

Both high and low recovery strokes be demonstrated with the kayak well off balance. to be performed on the move, and forward paddling to be maintained thereafter.

7 Securing.

Secure the kayak to trailer, canoe rack or roof rack using a rope. any practical system is acceptable but must use an efficient, recognised knot. personaly I think this is a bit old fashioned, since there are fast securing and release mechanisms on the market.

8 Tilting to assist turning.

Exercise to be set showing good edging control that assists turning.

PRACTICAL 'B'

1 Deep water rescue.

Be rescued and carry out an efficient deep-water rescue. An efficient rescue with the candidate in complete control, with help from the person in the water. It is recommended that boats should be equipped with total buoyancy (eg air bags)

2 Towing and use of tow line.

Candidate to show a knowledge of a way to tow a kayak using a line without assistance. The tow must be released as for an emergency. The candidate must indicate that he or she is aware of the inherent dangers of towing.

3 Eskimo rescue.

A confident capsize and banging on the hull, with the rescuer moving in from 5 metres distance. A first time recovery must follow, but two attempts may be made. Candidate to act as both rescuer and victim. Both styles of eskimo rescue to be shown ie bow presentation and paddle presentation. The rescuer must not approach at right angles to where the hands or body are located.

Rolling

The candidate should come up within 3 attempts, during each of which the assessor may guide or hold the blade of the paddle, but not touch the boat or paddler. a half roll is acceptable (ie down and up on the same side).

Journeying:

Provide evidence of at least 3 journeys of 10 km (about 3 hours duration each).

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