BCU 4 Star Test (closed cockpit kayak)

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BCU Star Awards

AIM

The test is designed to indicate that the candidate has sufficient proficiency to undertake a journey as a member of a group being led on grade 2 water. Holding the 4 star test is a requirement for attending a training course for the qualification of level 3 coach (Senior Instructor - in old money).

PRE-REQUISITES

BCU 3 Star Test. Where a candidate does not hold this award a small cross-section of 1 to 3 star techniques should be incorporated at the examiners discretion.

ASSESSMENT& VENUE

The emphasis is now on skills suitable for moving water and exposed open water, requiring the paddler to perform appropriate and effective manoeuvres rather than to be able to perform a set of repertoire of strokes. Perfect performance is not required, more importantly the candidate should satisfy the examiner that they are competent to handle the kayak safely as a member of a group being led on a one day trip down grade 2 water. Assessment should ideally take place over a day trip on a river containing grade 2 sections or sites of equivalent difficulty.

ASSESSOR

Level 3 coach (Senior Instructor or E1) or higher.

THEORY

-a question or two of a similar level should be asked under each heading

EQUIPMENT

Show a good knowledge of kayak, paddle and personal equipment.

SAFETY

Be aware of the dangers and problems associated with paddling on moving water and the position which should be adopted if swimming in fast moving water.

HYPOTHERMIA/FIRST AID

Show a good understanding of immersion hypothermia, its causes and symptoms. Be able to deal with basic first aid incidents - e.g. a cut forehead or hand - or hold a First Aid Certificate.

ACCESS

Be aware of the difficulties of paddling on UK waters, and how to gain information on access to rivers and lakes. be aware of the problems of canoeing on private waters and how great sensitivity needs to be shown when launching and landing; ie towards residents, land owners, farmers, anglers.

ENVIRONMENT

Be aware of the policy set out in the BCU leaflet Earning a welcome and show appreciation of the need to avoid obvious disturbance to wildlife such as playing 'hide and seek' around reed beds.

PLANNING

Show an understanding of what is involved in planning a trip down a river, such as access and egress, equipment requirements, significance of a weather forecast, shuttle procedures, lunch stops, contingency plans.

GENERAL

The candidate should have a good understanding of the types of canoeing in which they are involved, and know something about the range of activities which the sport incoporates, together with an awareness of one or more of the competitive forms of canoeing which have world championships or olympic status.

GROUP AWARENESS

The candidate to show that they have an understanding of the importance of self control when travelling with a group on grade 11 or open water, and the problems which could occur without positive group discipline.

MAP &COMPASS

The candidate should be able to align a map, work out the distance between two points, and identify any particular features which would indicate position, comprehend compass 'variation', and have an understanding of how to use a transit when paddling on open water.

CANDIDATE'S KAYAK& EQUIPMENT

Each candidate will present themselves suitably equipped for the test. The following items must be presented for inspection:

1. Kayak & Paddle

Kayak must be fit for white water eg. have min 60N buoyancy at each end of kayak. End grabs. etc.

2. Personal Clothing

Common sense stuff, clothing must be suitable for the conditions, example wetsuit, cag(windproof), trainers/wet suit boots.

3. Buoyancy Aid, Helmet and Spraydeck

Again common sense stuff. Buoyancy Aid min 50N inherent buoyancy should be worn; a lifejacket may be substituted (note you must demonstrate inflation/deflation and know when to inflate. Helmets must provide adequate protection and be securely fastened. The spraydeck must have a release strap (which ones arent?)

4. Simple First Aid Kit & Repair Kit

The first aid kit should be appropriate to the level of first aid knowledge required under the theory section and the repair kit should be appropriate to the kayak you are paddling. (I guess the statement is deliberately vague, if anyone can tell me what the first aid kit and the repair kit should contain give me an EMail and I will put it in).

5. Spare Clothing

Adequate spare clothing should be carried. The clothing should be appropriate to the conditions and suitable for use in a bivvy bag to prevent hypothermia. (I always imagine someone on a desert island about now :-) .

6. Packed Lunch

A packed lunch and equipment for providing a hot drink, (I'd use a thermos flask for the test) should be carried.

7. Emergency Equipment for Personal Use

This should include: emergency food, whistle, exposure (bivvy) bag of min size 6'*3', torch, matches or lighter.

8. Waterproof Kit Bag(s)

Spare equipment must be stored in appropriately secured, waterproof kit bag(s) and must remain dry even after a capsize.

Editor comment: I always think that if you take all the stuff above, your kayak is likely to sink under the weight. Remember that this test is to show that you are capable of doing a journey as part of a group on grade 2 (not what I call) white water. I'm of the opinion light is best. The test is really getting you to think about the sort of stuff you might need to take, its not saying take the kitchen sink for a day paddle, although talking to some instructors you might think so.

Practical on Flat Water

1. Rolling

Where the kayak is of appropriate design the candidate should be able to roll. The BCU won't fail you if you can't do a roll as long as the rest of your performance is sound.
Editors comment: learning to roll is important and fun, especially in white water or surf. learning is best done in a swimming pool where you can learn very quickly.
Also I have not found a kayak (sea, open canoe, etc) I couldn't roll yet.

2. Rescue and tow as for white water

The candidate has to rescue a capsized canoeist by competently towing him or her a distance of 10m. A tow line is not required. At least 2 forms of carry should be shown and the candidate should show a knowledge of the advantages of both.
(Editors note: I only know one non-towline-tow, if anyone can tell me any I will put them in.

Practical on Grade 2 Water

1. Forward Paddling.

A competent demo of forward paddling throughout the day trip, using strokes which should be polished, fluent and adaptive.

2. Stopping & Reverse Ferry Gliding.

Stopping and Reverse Ferry Gliding should be used to alter the candidate's position on the river with a view to selecting a suitable line down a rapid and also for avoiding obstacles. It should include the safe negotiation of bends where the main current sets under trees. Whilst demonstrating reverse ferry gliding, it is not envisaged that the candidate need enter and leave the main current, but rather that they should be able to perform the manoeuvres whilst in the main current.

3. Breaking Out.

Breaking out of the main current into eddies should demonstrate anticipation and early positioning, and the use of appropriate strokes throughout the manoeuvre. The candidate should also demonstrate the correct speed and angle of approach, together with a positive and early grip of the stationary water in the eddy. The kayak should come to rest high up the eddy, just inside the eddy line and parallel to it.

4. Breaking In.

This manoeuvre will be achieved by resolving such factors as speed of current, size of eddy, tilt and the desired position in the river after the break in. Initial positioning in the eddy and the angle of exit allied to the correct speed and degree of edging should be evident and appropriate for the particular eddy. Be aware of a charge out that ends with either a stall in mid-current or an inadvertent entry into an eddy on the opposite bank.

5. Upstream (forward) Ferry Gliding.

The candidate should aim to cross a consistent and moderate grade 2 flow that is 10m wide without any loss of height, or a 20m wide flow with no more than a kayak length loss. Editor's Tip: get a long kayak :-). Allowance needs to be made for specific water conditions. It is important that the ferry angle is appropriate and maintained through the manoeuvre.

6. Use of Throwline.

Demonstrate throwing a throwline to a rescue a victim (er swimmer) descending a grade 2 rapid, 10m from the bank. Editor note: unfortunately the BCU reckon that a stick can be used instead of a swimmer. This doesn’t give the rescuer the same feel for the rescue. eg. the swimmer is likely to be pulled in the river etc. The examiner must be satisfied that the candidate won't be pulled off balance. The candidate should be able to demonstrate a basic waist/shoulder belay for accepting a load.

7. Surf Small Waves.

The candidate should show an ability to cross the current using a small surf wave (30cm/1 foot wave is adequate. but not very exciting.

8. Paddle into & out of Small Stoppers.

It is crucial that the candidate (& assessor) can recognise 'friendly' stoppers. Find such a stopper paddle into it and then leave it. An upright body position with a smooth but lightly held brace is important, the boat having a small but steady downstream edge. The brace should be active i.e. supporting and paddling the candidate either forward or backward towards the end or the break in the stopper. The candidate's ability to recognise friendly or f*** off stopper (particularly suicide weirs) is more important than the ability to perform well in them.

Journeying

1. provide evidence of at least 3 self contained journeys

These must be of at least 4 hours travel time (equivalent to about 20km (approx. 14 miles) under normal touring conditions). at least 2 different rivers must be involved, one of which must contain grade 2 sections. different sections of a river may be counted as different rivers so long as there is no overlap. where lakes are included as suitable trips then at least one of the journeys must have been on a grade 2 river.

2. Demonstrate a basic ability to follow a compass bearing

The candidate must be able to locate the position on an OS map.
Editor's note,: I've never really seen the need for map and compass on a river, perhaps some one could enlighten me.
Out at sea (away from known references) there would be more applicability

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