DofE Training -
Core Paddle Skills

• Know how to safely lift and carry the craft. Lift and carry if boat allows. Safe portaging techniques relevant to the environment.

• Know the importance of safe manual handling enabling participants to launch and recover craft from a variety of locations including steep, slippery banks.

• Know how to waterproof kit properly and how to load the craft efficiently and secure kit within the craft. Secure craft on to trailers or vehicles.

• Demonstrate the ability to paddle forwards in an efficient and economical manner. Participants should demonstrate a fluent and rhythmical paddling stroke including, where required, simple steering strokes to enable them to maintain good cruising speed and control.

• Demonstrate slowing and stopping the craft using controlled reverse paddling strokes.

• Ability to turn the craft whilst stationary and whilst on the move using appropriate strokes (there is no requirement for specific strokes providing the craft can be manoeuvred effectively).

• Ability to sideslip the craft to avoid obstacles in the way of the craft or to come alongside (there is no requirement for specific strokes providing the craft can be manoeuvred effectively).

• Have a practiced and predicatble response to sudden immersion.

• Ability to self-rescue – swimming self, paddle and boat to shore, recover, empty and re-launch craft.

• Where the craft cannot be capsized demonstrate ability to recover paddlers and kit back aboard.

• Demonstrate ability to be rescued from craft.

• Appropriate rescue techniques for rescuing paddler and craft – appropriate to the environment, for example throw line techniques suitable for moving water.

• Be able to rescue a team member back on to the boat.

• Perform an all in rescue where all team members have to get back onto the boat.

• Man overboard drill.

• Simple towing techniques (flexible and adaptable).

• This should include water borne elements including secondary drowning, leptospirosis and aquatic hypothermia.

• The ability to make decisions based on the weather and water conditions, for example being weather-bound.

• Selection and maintenance of equipment.

• Care and simple repair of equipment.

• Include methods of disposing of human, food, cooking and dirty water waste. Local advice on these matters should be sought and followed.

• Supervisors need to be confidant in the ability of participants to be able to get to safety in an emergency and to follow agreed emergency procedures.

These skills are essential for canoeing along canals, such as Trent & Mersey Canal, Birmingham & Fazeley Canal, and Grand Union Canal:  

• Be able to recognise weirs and outflows and be able to avoid them.

• Know how to manoeuvre the craft using painters or bow and stern lines to move around or through obstacles such as locks.

• Understand the basic rules of travel on the waterways and how to approach and pass other craft.

• The safe use of locks if appropriate for the type of craft.

• Understand how to trim the boat correctly for different weather conditions.

• Rafting boats together and constructing a simple downwind sail.

• Be able to effectively rescue loaded boats in deep water.

These skills are essential for canoeing along rivers up to Grade II, such as River Trent, River Soar, River Wye, River Severn & River Thames:  

• Be able to recognise weirs and outflows and be able to avoid them.

• Know how to manoeuvre the craft using painters or bow and stern lines to move around or through obstacles such as locks.

• Understand the basic rules of travel on the waterways and how to approach and pass other craft.

• The safe use of locks if appropriate for the type of craft.

• Understand how to trim the boat correctly for different weather conditions.

• Rafting boats together and constructing a simple downwind sail.

• Be able to effectively rescue loaded boats in deep water.

• Have a basic understanding of river hydrology to be able to identify submerged rocks, strainers and similar hazards, selecting safe passages around obstacles.

• Be able to break in and out of the flow.

• Be able to make an eddy.

• Demonstrate forward and reverse ferry gliding and the ability to hold position on the river in a flow.

• Demonstrate the ability to line the boat through areas of shallow water or rapids and wading.

• The ability to estimate the speed of the water.

• Ability to determine if water levels are rising or falling.

These skills are essential for canoeing along the Caledonian Canal through Loch Lochy and Loch Ness:  

• All skills as outlined for moving water.

• Understand how to trim the boat correctly for different weather conditions.

• Rafting boats together and constructing a simple downwind sail.

• Be able to effectively rescue loaded boats in deep water.

• Be able to deal with multiple capsizes in deep water.

• Canoe sailing (where appropriate).

• Additional navigation skills appropriate to the environment

• Use of flares.

• Understanding tidal effects.

• Safe landing techniques, to include surfing for sea expeditions.

• Reading the water (white caps/white horses, tides).

• Maritime weather forecasts.

• VHF radios.