The Open Canoeing Skills A Diploma is intended for people who have mastered the basic strokes and paddling techniques. The emphasis is on achieving the desired movement of the canoe and developing an understanding of cause and effect, rather than focusing on strictly defined strokes. The holder of this certificate is able to safely paddle a short canoe trip on sheltered, quiet or slightly moving waterways in moderate weather conditions. Candidates can take the test while paddling solo or in tandem and must be able to demonstrate that she or he has sufficient swimming skills. To take the exam the candidate must have paddled a canoe trip of at least 6 km.

Upon successful completion of the tandem canoeing beginners course it is possible to take an exam. Your instructor will advise you at the end of the day whether it is useful to participate in this exam. It takes approximately two hours and consists of practice and theory. Upon successful completion the participant receives an official certificate from the Royal Dutch Watersports Association. This demonstrates that you have mastered the skills below.

Skills practical – paddling technique

• Transport the canoe over land to the water
• Properly lift the canoe into the water
• Set correct trim
• Get in, for tandems in the correct order
• Select an appropriate seating position
• Demonstrate an efficient forward stroke
• Backward and stop
• Correct execution of draw and pry strokes (including cross strokes)
• Correct execution of stern rudder, rudder stroke and J stroke (for solo: bow rudder, C stroke)
• Correct execution of sweep strokes, forward and backward
• Changing the paddling side
• Mooring and disembarking
• Prevent tipping over with the low brace (stationary and dynamic)
• Acting upon capsize
• The paddle strokes in tandem are coordinated (visible taking into account each other in the paddle rhythm)
• There is a good balance while paddling (regularity and in tandem cadence)

Skills practical – safety

• Self-rescue after a capsize: Swim to shore with boat and paddle, bail the boat correctly and climb back into the boat without assistance
• Assisted rescue after a capsize: the canoe and crew are towed to shore by another canoe.
• Assisted rescue after a capsize: another canoe helps to bail the boat and assists the paddlers to climb into the boat

Skills theory

• Paddle terms for techniques
• Types of open canoes
• Name parts of the canoe
• Function of buoyancy
• Types of paddles
• Paddle lengths and their effect
• Difference between PFD and life jacket
• The effects of wind and waves
• Elementary knowledge of currents
• Cleaning, drying and storing gear
• The outfitting of an open canoe
• Correct use of a PFD
• Clothing appropriate to the conditions
• Recognize and take appropriate action in case of hypothermia
• Correct group behavior during trips with a trip leader
• Regulations