Grade 2 Whitewater rapids are staightforward with medium sized,regular waves. The path through rapids can be clearly seen from the water and is often indicated by well defined chutes or Vs of water. There are some obstacles that require manoeuving around, but paddlers with good command of the basic strokes can easily miss them.

Who: The holder of this qualification has demonstrated the skills and knowledge to personally paddle a Kayak on Grade 2 Whitewater

Designed for those paddlers that seek to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills to safely and competently undertake a journey without Guide or  instructor supervision.

Course Duration: Training Course:2 days, Assessment:1 day

Costs(RRP): Training Course: $320, Assessment: $295.

20% discount on course RRP for all Paddle Australia members. For other discount options and group quotes please contact your local training provider.

Pre requisites: NIL, However to gain the qualification a minimum logbook is required, these requirements can be found in the Assessment Guidelines. Please pay particular attention to the logbook requirements that need to be logged in your Paddlelog

What Craft: You need to determine which craft you will be assessed in, as the qualification is craft specific.

Equipment: It is expected that participants will supply their own equipment including craft, life jackets, paddles etc. However if you do require equipment please contact your local provider.

Assessment:

  • Practical: Completed through the training/assessment day
  • Quiz: An online quiz is made available to participants upon registration that needs to be completed prior to the practical program

Program enrollment: All current programs offered by State Paddle Associations can be found here. If there is not one in your area or would like to organise a program for a group, please contact your local State Paddle Association.

Whitewater Skills qualifications can be delivered and assessed by any current PA Whitewater Instructor, you can search for a local PA paddle instructor here

What will you learn: What you will learn and be assessed on can be found in the Assessment Guidelines below.

Who:The holder of this qualification has demonstrated the skills and knowledge to guide groups of novices on day based activities in Kayaks on Grade 2 Whitewater

The Whitewater Guide is for people seeking a professional certification in Whitewater paddling environments up to grade 2 water. The Paddle Australia Qualification Scheme (PAQS) course is the industry benchmark certification designed to meet the needs of the paddling Guide and Instructor industry for education, recreational and tourism sectors nation wide.

Course Duration: Training Course:2 days, Assessment:2 days

Costs(RRP): Training Course: $395, Assessment: $395.

20% discount on course RRP for all Paddle Australia members. For other discount options and group quotes please contact your local training provider.

Pre requisites: Participants knowledge and skills should be at the level of Whitewater skills. To gain the qualification a minimum logbook is required, these requirements can be found in the Assessment Guidelines. Please pay particular attention to the logbook requirements that need to be logged in your Paddlelog

What Craft: You need to determine which craft you will be assessed in, as the qualification is craft specific.  If you are guiding people in canoes, you will need the “Canoe” qualification etc.

Equipment:  It is expected that participants will supply their own equipment including craft, life jackets, paddles, helmets etc and present as a Guide with appropriate equipment ( First Aid Kit, Repair kit etc). If you do require equipment please contact your local provider.

Assessment:

  • Practical: Completed through the training/assessment day
  • Quiz: An online quiz is made available to participants upon registration that needs to be completed prior to the practical program
  • Project: An online project is made available to participants upon registration that needs to be completed prior to the practical program

Program enrollment: All current programs can be found here. If there is not one in your area or would like to organise a program for a group, please contact your local State Paddle Association.

What will you learn: What you will learn and be assessed on can be found in the Assessment Guidelines below.

Who: The holder of this qualification has demonstrated the skills and knowledge to guide and instruct groups of novices on day based activities in Kayaks on Grade 2 Whitewater

The Whitewater Instructor is for people seeking a professional certification in Whitewater paddling environments up to grade 2 water. The Paddle Australia Qualification Scheme (PAQS) course is the industry benchmark certification designed to meet the needs of the paddling Guide and Instructor industry for education, recreational and tourism sectors nation wide.

Course Duration: Training Course:2 days, Assessment:2 days

Costs(RRP): Training Course: $395, Assessment: $395.

20% discount on course RRP for all Paddle Australia members. For other discount options and group quotes please contact your local training provider.

Pre requisites: Participants knowledge and skills should be at the level of Whitewater skills. To gain the qualification a minimum logbook is required, these requirements can be found in the Assessment Guidelines. Please pay particular attention to the logbook requirements that need to be logged in your Paddlelog

What Craft: You need to determine which craft you will be assessed in, as the qualification is craft specific.  If you are instructing people in canoes, you will need the “Canoe” qualification etc.

Equipment:  It is expected that participants will supply their own equipment including craft, life jackets, paddles, helmets etc and present as a Instructor with appropriate equipment ( First Aid Kit, Repair kit etc). If you do require equipment please contact your local provider.

Assessment:

  • Practical: Completed through the training/assessment day
  • Quiz: An online quiz is made available to participants upon registration that needs to be completed prior to the practical program
  • Project: An online project is made available to participants upon registration that needs to be completed prior to the practical program

Program enrollment: All current programs can be found here. If there is not one in your area or would like to organise a program for a group, please contact your local State Paddle Association.

What will you learn: What you will learn and be assessed on can be found in the Assessment Guidelines below.

The holder of this qualification has demonstrated the skills and knowledge to guide and instruct groups of novices on day based activities in Kayaks on Grade 4 Whitewater.

This qualification is gained by submitting evidence of the below criteria and passing a review by PA’s Education and Safety Advisory Group (ESAG).

Who: The holder of this qualification has demonstrated the ability to manage rescue situations from a craft and gear retrieval in Grade 2 Whitewater. The River Rescue II course is the industry benchmark certification designed to meet the needs of white water paddling Guides and Instructors for the outdoor industry across education, recreational and tourism sectors nationwide.

The River Rescue Course is a co/prerequisite course for the white water guide and instructor courses that builds upon basic river rescue theory and is also suitable for recreational paddlers who want to develop their paddling rescue skills.

Candidates for this course will need to have white water paddling skills and should expect to spend time on understanding river hydrology in depth, craft based rescue in white water environments, white water rescue principles, white water rescue swimming and crossings, throw ropes usage and practical mechanical advantage systems.

Course Duration: Two days Approx 9am – 5pm

Costs(RRP): Training Course/Assessment: $395

20% discount on course RRP for all Paddle Australia members. For other discount options and group quotes please contact your local training provider.

Pre requisites: Participants knowledge and skills should be at the level of Whitewater skills. To gain the qualification a minimum logbook is required, these requirements can be found in the Assessment Guidelines. Please pay particular attention to the logbook requirements that need to be logged in your Paddlelog

What Craft: You need to determine which craft you will be assessed in, as the qualification is craft specific. This should be based on which type of craft you are comfortable paddling in white water and what you would use in a work based scenario If you are instructing people in canoes, you will need the “Canoe” qualification etc.

Equipment:  It is expected that participants will supply their own equipment including craft, life jackets, paddles, helmets etc and present as a Instructor with appropriate equipment ( First Aid Kit, Repair kit etc). If you do require equipment please contact your local provider.

Assessment:

  • Practical: Completed through the training/assessment day
  • Quiz: An online quiz is made available to participants upon registration that needs to be completed prior to the practical program
  • Project: An online project is made available to participants upon registration that needs to be completed prior to the practical program

Program enrollment: All current programs can be found here. If there is not one in your area or would like to organise a program for a group, please contact your local State Paddle Association.

What will you learn: What you will learn and be assessed on can be found in the Assessment Guidelines below.