SALZWASSER UNION CERTIFICATE
Who is the SALZWASSER UNION?
The Salzwasser Union is a Sea Kayak German Association. Besides its interest in Eskimo people and their way of life, they discuss and search improvements in any aspect or subject related to this aquatic activity. Ecology is also one of the main concerns.
The Salzwasser Union, was founded in 1985 by a group of kayakers who prefer offshore paddling. At that time, plans concerning the creation of two National Parks off the German coast of the North Sea, were shaping up. A few of them felt that this would soon exclude sea kayakers from the extensive tidelands and the island chains which to that point had been their favorite paddling areas. At the latest headcount membership had grown to about 800 seakayakers spread all over Germany.
One of the major concerns of the association is to debate and work on all safety-related issues regarding seakayaking. Special training is available for all their members and introductory courses are being offered at regular intervals to beginners. They additionally offer A-certification for basic sea proficiency and a so-called B-course for advanced paddlers and those wishing to qualify as instructors. There is a level C, which is the instructor degree, without this C-Course no one is allowed to teach.
With the aim to be examined of the A-course, certificate comparable to level 4 stars of the English BCU, the Salzwasser Union offers to a dozen of kayakers the challenge to get the examination after a week of intensive work.
To what does the Certificate serve ?
Neither to be famous nor to become rich; This certificate is comparable to the acquisition of different belts in martial arts, where different colours means the level obtained. The certificate is not valuable to teach but it can be useful in Symposiums or international meetings where very often a certain level is required.
Activity development
The first day will be used to evaluate your level and to introduce you into the course contents. The rest of the day's theorical and practical classes will lead you to the examination that will take place the last 2 days.
Day by day program
2nd day - Theoretical class and practical applications, meteorology, and paddling techniques.
3rd day - Theoretical class and practical applications, knots, tows.
4th day - Theoretical class and practical applications, rescues, and paddling techniques.
5th day - 20 miles navigation with equipment and rough sea rescues.
6th day - examination and certificate delivering.
1st day - Theoretical and practical knowledge evaluation of the participants and introduction to the week content.
If we get the authorisation from the Cap de Creus Natural Park Authorities we will spend one night in a creek, what will serve to the participants to be aware of the kayak preparation for an expedition and to prove the manoeuvrability of a charged kayak.
The order of the activities is subject to the instructor's decision.
Participation requirements:
To know how to stabilize oneself in waves and current.
Rolling is not a requirement, but it's advisable.
To have the skills one gets after 2 or 3 years of practice.
To be physically in shape, enough to navigate 4 hours in a row.
To have the minimal knowledge of rescues in parallel.
To dominate the marine expressions often used as larboard, starboard, rope, etc...
The most valuable requirement: to have a big dose of good mood
Material:
To have a pump and a tow rope.
Protecting Clothes against cold: at least neoprene pants and jacket. The dry dress is the most advisable. We recommend to have a slim neoprene cap and gloves.
To have a kayak that fits the SaU standards. Those are the same as the BCU and will be communicated shortly.
Notes:
When the course is complete it will be posted on our website.
Participants will receive additional technical information between January and February 2007.
The indicated price in the subscription sheet includes formation, Certificate and camping place.
More information about SaU = Salzwasser Union ?
Look at: http://www.salzwasserunion.de
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