Canoeing Ireland Awards & Qualification Scheme

Canoeing Irelands Award and Qualification Scheme comprises awards and qualifications in river kayaking, sea kayaking, paddlesurf and open canoeing.

The Scheme primarily consists of: Skills AwardsInstructor Qualifications and Coach Qualifications.

However the Scheme is further complemented by River Safety & Rescue Awards and Coastal Navigation Awards which are now an integral part of the Award and Qualification Scheme.

Summary of Instructor Qualifications

KayakingLevel 1 Kayak InstructorQualified to lead and teach groups of kayakers on flat water within close proximity of their launch point.Can train & assess for the Level 1 Skills Awards.
Level 2 Kayak Instructor Qualified to lead and teach on flat water journeys on inland and sheltered waters that remain close to bank/shore.Can train & assess for the Level 1 & 2 Skills Awards.
Level 3 River Kayak Instructor Qualified to lead and teach groups on Grade II rivers.Can train & assess for Level 1 – 3 River Skills Awards.
Level 4 River Kayak Instructor Qualified to lead and teach groups on Grade IV and advanced white water.Can train & assess for Level 1 – 4 River Skills Awards.
Sea Kayaking Level 3 Sea Kayak InstructorQualified to instruct and lead groups safely on coastal trips in moderate seas.Can train & assess for Level 1 – 3 Sea Skills Awards.
Level 4 Sea Kayak Instructor Qualified to lead and teach groups on advanced sea journeys Can train & assess for Level 1 – 4 Sea Skills Awards.
Open Canoeing Level 1 Canoe Instructor Qualified to instruct basic canoe skills on water of Grade I, difficulty, in Designated Lake Areas, or in Designated Sheltered Tidal Areas.Can train & assess for Level 1 Canoe Skills Awards.
Level 2 Canoe InstructorQualified to instruct and lead groups on Grade I water. Can train & assess for Level 1 & 2 Canoe Skills Awards.
Level 3 Canoe InstructorQualified to instruct and lead groups on Grade II water and within harbours and designated sheltered non – tidal areas.Can train & assess for Level 1 – 3 Canoe Skills Awards.
Level 4 Canoe InstructorQualified to lead and instruct on water of Grade III and above.Can train & assess for Level 1 -4 Canoe Skills Awards.
Level 5 Instructor
The Level 5 Instructor Qualification recognises a level of excellence in coaching techniques. The water conditions a Level 5 Instructor is qualified to operate on are the same as for a Level 4 Instructor.

Instructor Ratios & Environment Factors

Level 1 Instructor:
  • Instruct on flat water with a ratio of 1:6.
  • No journeying allowed i.e. instructors and participants must stay within 300 metres of launch site
Level 2 Instructor
  • Instruct on flat water with a ratio of 1:6.
  • Journeying on flat water allowed.
Level 3 Instructor
  • Instruct on flat water with a ratio of 1:8.
  • Instruct on Grade II rivers with a ratio of 1:6.

(Level 3 Sea Kayaking instructors may operate on smooths seas with up to Force III wind)

Level 4 Instructor
  • Operate within any of the ratios above.
  • Instruct on water above Grade III with a ratio of 1:4.

Course Registration

Registration of Training Courses and Assessments :

The following training courses and assessments must be registered with and validated by Canoeing Ireland:

– Skills Training Courses Level 3 and above in all disciplines.

– All Instructor Training and Assessments.

– River Safety & Rescue Courses.

– Essential and Advanced Coastal Navigation.

A panel system of training and registration exists for coaches interested in running courses and assessments. Updated lists of Panel Members are available from the Canoeing Ireland Office.

Membership/Registration: All trainees for instructional or leadership training courses must be registered with Canoeing Ireland. All Trainees and Instructors should renew their Canoeing Ireland membership on an annual basis. Only registered Instructors can organise Canoeing Ireland courses and request Canoeing Ireland certificates.