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Leadership Training & Certification

River Raft Instructor Guide Training & Certification - May 11 - 14, 2010

This course is designed for people who want to learn river rafting skills and who have an interest in guiding white water rafting. This intensive 4 day courses teach paddle rafting and oar rafting skills in moderate white water. The first two days of the course we spend on the Nanaimo or Cowichan Rivers. These days are used as an introduction to rafting, and students will learn the safety principles of rafting, and how to move a raft on moving water. The next two days we spend on the Nimpkish River. We have the option of doing a raft supported overnight trip on the Nimpkish (depending on student interest and ability levels). This is a multi-day river trip and is a great introduction to raft supported expedition style trips. Over the two days spent on the Nimpkish River trip, students will learn new skills and build on the skills gained in the previous two days. Participants will receive a VIU certificate of participation certifying skills passed during the course. Please contact Don Cohen at 753-3245 local 2480 or e-mail don.cohen@viu.ca for further details about raft guide certification.

This course will start at 8:30 am and will finish at 5:00 pm with some evening lectures. Over the 4 day course participants will be exposed to the following topics:

• Rafting and related safety and rescue equipment
• River hydrology and river feature identification
• Raft transportation and trailer use
• Paddle raft and oar raft river navigation skills and techniques
• The use of log books as a tool for guides and rafters
• Critical incident management on rivers
• Group safety and rescue practice, flip drills, and swimming in moving water
• Leadership and group management on the river
• Environmental interpretation as it relates to raft guiding

This rafting course is a perfect place to learn the basics of river rafting and the principles of raft guiding. Even if you don’t have a desire to raft guide commercially, this course will be enjoyable and informative for an individual who is interested in experiencing the excitement of river rafting. Vancouver Island University provides all rafting equipment, some camping equipment and transportation. River Raft Course Description PDF

Cost: $250 + GST Current VIU students
$400 + GST Faculty/Staff
$500 + GST Non-Students
Register at the VIU Gymnasium (Building 190). Deadline is one week prior to start of course.

Surf Kayak Day Guides Course & Certification (West Coast Surf Course) - May 18-20, 2010

This is a four day course designed for people who want to learn about kayak surfing and improve their kayaking surfing ability. We bring a selection of different white water and surf kayaks for this course. Depending on personal interest, students will have the opportunity to try all the different gear type if they wish. Over the course of four days we will have the opportunity to surf every day, and will discuss and cover other topics that relate to surfing, these include:

• Surf forecasting, weather radios, internet use for swell and surf forecasting
• Kayak surfing equipment overview
• Transportation and trailer use
• Basic and advanced surfing techniques
• Leadership and group control on the water
• Surfing locations, and site selection
• Surfing hazards and how to keep your self safe while surfing
• How to conduct basic surf rescues with only personal surfing equipment

The West Coast Surf Course starts every morning at 7:30 am and will finish at around 5:00pm, with some evening lectures. We stay at the Surf Junction Campground www.surfjunction.com
just outside of Ucluelet. This facility has a sauna, showers, and hot tub, and is perfect for après surf relaxation. This course is fun and the emphasis is place on improving kayak surfing skills, and increasing ones knowledge of the sport of surfing. No experience is required and all equipment will be supplied. Surf Kayak Course Description PDF

Cost: $200 + GST Current VIU students
$400 + GST Non-Students
Register at the VIU Gymnasium (Building 190). Deadline is one week prior to start of course.

Sea Kayak Day Guides Course & Certification - Level 1 - May 25 -28, 2010

This course is for people who want to pursue sea kayak guiding as a potential career, or for the recreational kayaker who would like to improve their understanding of sea kayaking. This is an intensive 4 day course designed to fulfill the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of British Columbia (SKGABC) guides requirements on route to the Level I (Day Guides) certification. Over the four days, students participate in the Level I course, and are evaluated throughout the duration of the course. Upon completion, students who met or exceeded all learning objectives are deemed to have successfully passed a SKGABC Level I evaluation. Check out the SKGABC website (www.skgabc.com) for further information on the Level I Certification. Please contact Don Cohen at number below, or email don.cohen@viu.ca for further details about the Level I course.

This course starts every morning at 8:30 am and will finish around 5:30 pm each evening. The majority of the course will be conducted outdoors, and students should be prepared for variable weather conditions. Over the course of five days students will be exposed to the following topics.

• All sea kayaking equipment will be reviewed, and discussed
• Transportation of sea kayaks with use of a trailer
• Basic, intermediate and some advanced strokes will be covered
• Execution and practice of sea kayak rescue techniques, including self rescue and assisted rescues
• Day paddling preparation, and leading a day trip on the water
• The use of log books, and how this relates to guiding
• How to navigate a kayak using a chart, compass, and GPS
• Group safety, and responsibilities as a Level I guide
• Leadership development with lots of practice leading
• Marine weather forecasts, VHF radio operation, and weather interpretation
• Environmental impact awareness
• Environmental interpretation as it relates to a Level I guide

The sea kayaking day guides Level I course is perfect for beginner sea kayakers. Vancouver Island University provides all the equipment, and no previous paddling experience is necessary. Although, previous paddling experience will be an asset to successful completion of Level I certification. Sea Kayak Course Description PDF

Cost: $300 + GST Current VIU students
$400 + GST Faculty/Staff
$600 + GST Non-Students
Register at the VIU Gymnasium (Building 190). Deadline is one week prior to course start date.

For further information contact:

Don Cohen

Outdoor Recreation Coordinator
Building 190, Room 206
250.753.3245 local 2480
don.cohen@viu.ca

Matt Kellow

Outdoor Recreation Technician
Building 140
250.740.6306
kellowm@viu.ca