Paddling, What Can I do?

The following are intended to explain the minimum qualifications required for Scouting members in conducting any recreational Paddling Activity run by Scouts Victoria.

This document is designed to be used in conjunction with the Australian Adventurous Activity Standards (AAAS) for canoeing, kayaking, Sea Kayaking and River Rafting which must be followed unless contradicted or exceeded by this document. https://australianaas.org.au/ and the National Australian Adventurers Activity Framework.

Groups paddling on above international Grade 4 white water or exposed coastal water will not be considered to be involved in an internally run Scouts Victoria Activity and would need to be outsourced to an external provider.

1. Approval

Planning should meet the requirements of the ‘Adventurous Activity Standards’ even if the group is not considered a dependent group.

1.1 Gaining Approval

A Scouts Victoria Member planning a canoeing/kayaking/sea kayaking/white water rafting activity must gain adventurous activity approval from either the State Leader Paddling or their Group leader/’Leader In Charge’ before undertaking the activity.

1.2 Group Leader Approval

Group Leaders can give approval for an activity if:

• The activity remains within 50m of the launch area.
• Provided that it complies with rule 12 of the national policy and rules.

Provided that activity is not:

• Run by an external provider (Refer to next section).
• Considered to be in tidal, enclosed, coastal or hazardous waters - Refer to: transportsafety.vic.gov.au
• Considered to be in un-patrolled surf.
• Considered to be in white water (Grade 1 or higher).
• Considered to be a journey.

Group Leaders should be satisfied that:

• That the party is sufficiently qualified or/and skilled for the activity.
• That the planning is sufficient for the activity.
• That the activity zone is clearly identified and understood by participants.

1.3 State Leader Paddling Approval

The State Leader Paddling can give approval for an activity if the activity is:

• Run by an external provider.
• The activity leaves the immediate launch area (more than 50m).
• Considered to be in tidal, enclosed, coastal or hazardous waters - Refer to: transportsafety.vic.gov.au
• Considered to be in un-patrolled surf.
• Considered to be in white water of less than Grade IV.
• Considered to be a Journey.

2. Qualifications

2.1 Participant Qualifications

Joeys, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers, Rover and Leaders (without qualification):

• Can paddle a craft on sheltered flatwater if they remain within 50m of the launch area, under supervision of an adult leader or trained participant (Provided that it complies with rule 12 of the national policy and rules.)
• Can paddle a sit-on- top craft in a patrolled surf zone (less ½ meter) under supervision of a leader on shore. Rover and Leaders can paddle in patrolled surf zone less than 1m.

Scouts, Venturers, Rover and Leaders (without qualification):

• Can participate in a flat water course.
• Can be guided on flat water up to Grade 1.
• Can be guided on Grade 2 white water or surf (less 1m).

Flatwater canoe and kayak (Safe and Trained Participant):

• Can paddle the craft in which they are trained on flat and undemanding water with people of the same or higher qualification as long as there is at least one trained participant within the party.
• Can be guided on up to Grade 2 white water or enclosed sea/surf in the craft in which they are trained.
• Can be guided on Grade 3 white water or sheltered coastal surf in the craft in which they are trained.
• Can participate in a white water course.
• If participant has moving water endorsement, then can paddle on moving water less than Grade 2 i.e. Yarra from Jumping Creek to Warrandyte, Murray River, with people of the same or higher qualification as long as at least one trained white water participant within the party.

White water canoe and kayak (White Water Trained Participant):

• Can paddle the craft in which they are trained on Grade 2 white water with people of the same or higher qualification.
• Can be guided on Grade 3 white water in the craft in which they were trained.
• (If kayak) Can be guided on sea/surf in a kayak.

Sea kayak (Trained Participant):

• Can paddle the craft in which they are trained on Level 2 sea/surf with people of the same or higher qualification
• Can be guided on Level 3 sea/surf in the craft in which they were trained 

2.2 Adventurous Activity Leader Qualifications 

Flatwater canoe and kayak guide:

• Can guide on flat undemanding water.
• Can assist on a Level 1 course.

Moving water canoe and kayak guide:

• Can guide on all flat water.
• Can guide on moving water less than Grade 2 ie. Yarra from Jumping Creek - Warrandyte.
• Can guide on large bodies of inland open water.

White water canoe and kayak guide:

• Can guide on flat and white water up to and including Grade 2+ but not Grade 3.
• Can assist on a white water Level 2 courses.
• (If got sea kayak Level 2) Can assist on sea kayak courses.

Advanced white water canoe and kayak guide:

• Can guide on flat and white water up to and including Grade 3.
• Can instruct on a white water course.

Sea kayak guide:

• Can guide on flat and sea/surf up to and including 1m.
• Can assist on a sea kayak course.

Sea kayak instructor:

• Can guide on flat and sea/surf up to and including 2m.
• Can instruct on a sea kayak course.

Raft guide (Grade 3):

• Can guide a raft white water up to and including Grade 3.
• Can trip lead a rafting trip on white water up to and including Grade 2+ but not Grade 3.
• Can assist on white water rafting courses.

Raft guide (Grade 4):

• Can guide a raft white water up to and including Grade 3+ but not Grade 4.
• Can trip lead a rafting trip on white water up to and including Grade 3+ but not Grade 4.
• Can instruct white water rafting courses.