FIVE STAR TEST

WHITE WATER KAYAK

AIM
This is the entry to the top level of performance, involving leadership in advanced situations, and high
personal skills. It is the appropriate test for paddlers who wish to lead groups of other paddlers on
Advanced River journeys. 5 Star is a pre-requisite for progression to Level 4 Coach (the appropriate level
for those wishing to teach on grade 3-4 water).

PREREQUISITES:
1. Prior training. Due to the nature of this test and its remit for leadership it is necessary that candidates
should show three days logged experience of formal training in leadership, safety and rescue, prior to
assessment. Such experience may be obtained on advertised courses, or from endorsement by grade 5
Assessors on an ad hoc basis against the established syllabus.
2. BCU 4 Star Test. The candidate must already hold the BCU 4 Star award.Exceptionally, the candidate
may be recommended for exemption by a current BCU Level 5 Coach.
3. First aid award. The candidate must hold an appropriate first aid award (e.g. BCU Lifeguards, Aquatic

Kayak - Five Star Test

First Aid 8 hour course). Any of the recognised Standard first aid certificates, or those approved by the
H&SE are acceptable provided they involve a minimum of 8 hours training and include CPR and EAV.
4. Prior experience. The candidate must provide documentary evidence of a range of river trips. These
must show experience of low/medium volume rivers as well as technical and steep rivers and should
include experience on grade 4 rivers. Such experience must have been gained over a minimum of three
years white water paddling, showing a bias towards wild rivers . Wholly artificial courses and weirs
would not count towards this evidence.

ASSESSOR
A Grade 5 Kayak Assessor supported by an A4 Kayak Assessor.

ASSESSMENT AND VENUE

Candidates for the 5 Star White Water Kayak test must satisfy the assessors that they have the experi-
ence, judgment and competence necessary to lead groups of experienced paddlers on journeys on grade 3-
4 rivers. Candidates must have the personal skill and ability to perform confidently and in control on grade 4
water.
The evaluation of the award will normally take place over two days.
Candidates should realise that the appropriate water cannot be guaranteed. In the event of such conditions
not being present, assessment decisions may have to be deferred until a later date when acceptable condi-
tions are present.
The evaluation of the award will consist of four elements: equipment; theory; leadership skills and aware-
ness; personal skills.

EQUIPMENT
The candidate s personal and group kit will be evaluated. Candidates must present with suitable personal
equipment, plus any additional equipment deemed to be appropriate to support a group in their charge.
Equipment should reflect such things as the season, the ability of his/her companions and the difficulty of
the waters to be paddled. Borrowed equipment will be assessed as if it were the candidate s own. The
candidate should be aware that on the level of water being paddled, having too much equipment can be
nearly as hazardous as having too little.

THEORY
There are no sample questions at this level. The candidate must be knowledgeable on a wide-range of
topics, sufficient to support their claim to have entered the highest level of the sport. The range of topics
should include:
1. Boat design and its relevance to white water paddling.
2. Equipment for use on advanced rivers.

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 3. River gradings
4. Access
5. Leadership and organisational problems
6. Environmental and conservation issues
7. First aid and resuscitation

LEADERSHIP AND AWARENESS

1. Group control and communication. Candidates will be required to show they are organised on the
water and have the experience and judgment required to safely lead groups on grade 3-4 water. They will
also be required to show experience in identifying hazards and in picking suitable lines for different
designs of craft: eg long and short boats.
Each candidate will need to demonstrate a system of signals both visual and audible which will enable
effective communication with a group.
2. Safety awareness. Each candidate must demonstrate sound judgment of the element of risk and an
awareness of what constitutes safe paddling.
The candidate must demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills, displaying the ability
Sea Kayak - Four Star

to create the right atmosphere within the group so that honest decisions can be made as to whether to
run or portage difficult rapids.
3. Rescues. Each candidate must be conversant with a range of rescue techniques and must be able to
demonstrate their efficient use in a variety of protection and rescue incidents. Under normal situations
this would include the use of a throw bag, dealing with an entrapped boat, safe use of the chest harness
(if used by the candidate) and the rescue of entrapped swimmers. Candidates must also show an
appreciation of river evacuation procedures.
Each candidate must be able to satisfy the assessors that they would be able effectively, and without
further risk to the party and themselves, organise the retrieval of any retrievable equipment which may
have been lost as a result of an emergency.

PERSONAL SKILLS:
A candidate should be able to demonstrate a high level of ability and understanding of the strokes and skills
necessary to handle a kayak on advanced white water. The candidate s performance should be smooth,
controlled and consistent, relying on technique rather than on physical strength.
1. Launching and landing. Launching from and landing on difficult terrain.
2. Manoeuvring and control. The candidate should demonstrate an ability to manoeuvre and control a
kayak in a variety of situations and conditions, with a wide repertoire of skills on white water.
All the 4 Star moving water skills (break in and out; forward and reverse ferry glide; crossing stoppers
forward and reverse) should be performed in a solid, confident manner. The candidate should be demon-
strating the ability to adapt a stroke during its execution in response to the external forces involved,
exhibiting anticipation and control rather than just a reaction to events.
Additional skills to be demonstrated are: crossing the current by using waves (surfing confidently);
supporting in stoppers - entering both forward and reverse; rolling reliably in white water conditions; using
waves to turn.
3. River running skills. The candidate should be seen to have a clear river running strategy for success-
fully descending and playing on difficult rapids. Candidates should display and use controlled, effective
manoeuvres incorporating a range of kayak control skills and techniques.

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