ProgramDescription

The5-dayAssistantOvernightGuideUpgradecourseisdesignedformotivatedcertifiedDayGuidesseekingtobecomecertifiedAssistantOvernightGuideswiththeSeaKayakGuidesAllianceofBC(SKGABC).ThiscourseisaccreditedbytheSKGABCandincludestheAssistantOvernightGuideexam.SuccessfulcandidateswillbeawardedAssistantOvernightGuidecertificationandPaddleCanadaLevel2Skills.Thispackagecontainsinformationtohelpyouprepareforyourcourse.Pleasetakethetimetoreadthismaterialcarefully.Ifyouhaveanyquestions,contactusbyemail.ThanksforregisteringforourAssistantOvernightGuideProgram;welookforwardtopaddlingwithyou.

Pleaseusethefollowingchecklisttoensureyouhavereceivedandreviewedalltherequireddocumentationpriortotheprogramstartdate:

✓AssistantOvernightGuideProgramDocument–pleasereview❑ SKILSWaiver–pleasesignwithyourinstructoratthebeginningoftheprogram❑ PaddleCanadaWaiver-pleasesignwithyourinstructoratthebeginningoftheprogram❑ SKILSMedicalForm–pleasebringacompletedcopytoyourprogram❑ PolicyandProceduresDocument–pleasereview❑ 2trainingbooks–providedbySKILS–pleasereview

www.skils.ca

ProgramInformationPackage

SeaKayakGuidesAlliance

AssistantOvernightGuideProgram

UclueletandClayoquotSound

PaperworkChecklist

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WhoShouldTakeThisProgram?Participantsonourguidetrainingcoursesrepresentawiderangeofagesandinterests.Pastparticipantsincludewomenandmenfrom18to65.ManyparticipantsalreadyworkasSKGABCLevel1Guidesandarelookingtobeabletoguideonovernightkayakexpeditions,whileothersarelookingforwardtogainfurtherguidetrainingasitmayhavebeenseveralyearssincetheydidtheirSKGABCLevel1Guidecourse.Othersstillaresimplylookingforamorecomprehensiveandchallengingtripwithastrongeducationalcomponent.

Expectations&AssessmentThroughoutthecourseyouwillbeactivelyencouragedtotakealeadershiproleinthedailyrunningoftheprogram.Responsibilitiesinclude

o Managingyourpersonalequipment;o Managingthegroupequipment;o Takingresponsibilityforyourpersonalcomfort

andsafetyandthecomfortandsafetyofotherparticipants;

o Lookingafteryourhealth;o Preparingmeals;o Leadingactivities.

Inadditiontotheaboveresponsibilities,youwillberesponsibleforthefollowing4leadershiptasks.

1)InterpretiveAssignmentEachparticipantmustprepareandpresentaninterpretiveprogramofapproximately15minutesin

lengthatanappropriatepointduringtheprogram.Belowisalistofideasforyourinterpretiveassignment,butfeelfreetoresearchanddevelopanactivitythatsuitsyourinterests.IdeasforInterpretiveAssignment:

o Beachgameso IntertidalWalko HistoryandBiologyofbaldeagles

ProgramObjectivesandExpectations

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o KillerWhaleso HistoryofExplorationonVancouverIslando ContemporaryCoastSalishsociety

2)LeaderoftheDayEachdayyouwillhaveresponsibilitiesforsomefacetoftheprogramincludingthetimingofactivities,

launchingandlandingkayaks,grouptraveltoandfromactivitysites,grouptravelonthewater,andorganizingactivities.Thecourseinstructorswillassigntheseresponsibilitiesthroughoutthecourse.Itisyourroletotaketheseresponsibilitiesandcarrythemouttothebestofyourability.Thegoalistogiveyouasmuchleadershipexperienceaspossiblethroughoutthecourse.Theinstructorsaretheretohelpyouifyougetstuck.

3)SelfEvaluationandFeedbackFeedbackisanintegralpartofthelearningprocess.Throughoutthecourse,youwillbeencouragedtoevaluateyourownperformanceandprovidefeedbacktoothers.Pleasekeeptheseguidelinesinmind:

o Positivefeedbackisasimportantasconstructive.o Commentononeortwomainissues.o Ifithasalreadybeensaid,don’tsayitagain.o Listen,listen,listen...

4)FinalScenarioTowardstheendofthecourse,youwillbeassignedresponsibilityforplanning,running,andevaluatingalegofourtrip.Youwillbepresentedwithchallengesduringthislegdesignedtotestsomeoftheskillstaughtduringthecourse.Thegoalofthisfinalscenarioistobringtogetherthevariouscomponentsofleadershipincludingtechnicalboathandling,navigation,weatherinterpretation,rescue,problemsolving,andconflictresolution.

SafetyVetoEverypersoninthecoursehasasafetyveto.Thismeansyouhavetherighttopausethecourse,questionthesafetyofthelesson,and/oroptoutofthelessonortheprogram.Theenvironmentalchallengesofthiscoursepushontheboundarybetweenexcitementandanxiety.Thiscancreatestressandfear;articulatingtheseconcernsanddealingwiththeminthecontextofapeergroupisanessentialcomponentofthetraining.

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PrerequisitesAllparticipantsmustbecertifiedasSKGABCLevel1Guides.TransportationYouareresponsibleforalltransportationtoandfromthecourseaswellasduringthecourse.BCFerriesprovidesseverallinkstoVancouverIslandfromtheBCMainland.Schedulesandfareinformationareavailableonlineatwww.bcferries.com,oryoucancall(250)386-3431and1-888-BCFERRY(1-888-223-3779).Ifyouareheadingupislandandneedtransportation,theTofinoBusisapublictransportationoption.Contactthemat1-866-986-3466oronthewebatwww.tofinobus.com.Duringthecourse,wewilltransportkayaksandgearandcoordinatecarpoolingamongparticipantstominimizetransportationcostsandcarbonemissions.

AccommodationCampingfeesatSurfJunctionCampgroundforthenightpriortothestartofthecourseareincludedinyourregistrationfee.SurfJunctionCampgroundinUclueletoffersshowers,ahottubandsauna,aswellasasmallshopforverybasicneeds.Days1through5,we'llbecampingoutinClayoquotSound.Sincethecoursestartsat8:30inthemorningatSurfJunctionCampground,werecommendstayingtherethenightbeforethecoursebegins.Again;thisisincludedinyourcoursefees.

MealsOurmenuisvegetarianbasedandaugmentedwithmeat.SomespecialdietaryneedscanbeAccommodatedwithsufficientnotice.Weprovideallthefoodforthecourseexceptforthefirstmorning.Participantsareencouragedtobringextrasnackstofillintheholesandsatisfypersonaltastes.Eachparticipantisaskedtoprepareandpackonedessertfortheentiregroup.Thedessertswillbeslottedinduringthecourse.Planonadessertfor8people.

OurClassroomThecoastlineofClayoquotSoundwillbeourclassroom.Thesestretchesofcoastlinearevariedandofferusthediversityweneedtocompleteourtraining.Wewillhavetheopportunitytoexperiencethisbeautifuldiversityaswelearntopaddleincurrents,surf,navigate,andleadtrips.

WhatSKILSWillProvideSKILLSwillprovidethefollowing:

o Foodwhileonthetripexcludingbreakfastonthefirstdayo PermitsandcampingfeesinUclueletandinClayoquotSoundo Groupcampingequipmento Instructionmanualso VHFradioso GroupFirstAidKit

ProgramLogistics

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o Groupcookinggearo Flares

WhatYouAreResponsibleForYouareresponsibleforprovidingthefollowingitemsforyourself:

❑ Extrasnacksforyourself,andonegroupdessert(8people)toeatduringtheouttrip❑ Personalcampinggear(pleaseseesuggestedpackinglistbelow)❑ Kayakandaccessories(pleaseseesuggestedpackinglistbelow)❑ Transportationto,fromandduringtheprogram.SKILScanhelpcoordinateridesharing.

Kayaks,immersiongearandsomecampingequipmentcanberentedthroughSKILS.Pleasecontactusifyouareinterestedinrentingsomeofourequipment.

PackingListOutlinedbelowisadetailedkayaktouringpackinglist.Toensureyourcomfortduringthecourseandtomaximizeyourabilitytoparticipateinallaspectsoftheprogrampleasefollowthislistascloselyaspossible.Pleasedonotbringcottonclothing.*Indicatesoptionalitems.ImmersionClothing-Allparticipantsmusthaveadrysuitorwetsuitwiththemonthiscourse.Youwillspendmanydaysexposedtowind,waves,andcurrents.Youwillalsobeaskedtoparticipateinextendedscenarios,whichwillrequireyoutobeinthewater.Asaresult,youwillspendalotoftimewet!Pleasebringampleimmersionclothing.Charts/MapsandotherResources-Navigationandweatherinterpretationareimportantcomponentsofthiscourse.Inordertoparticipateeffectively,youwillneedsomespecificresources.Theseresourcesareavailableonlinefromwww.charts.gc.caoryourlocalpaddlingretailer:

❑ CHSChart3673ClayoquotSound❑ CHSTideandCurrentTablesVol.6❑ *CHSChart1SymbolsAbbreviationsandTerms

LogBooks-Throughoutthiscourseyouwillneedtorecordandaccessnavigation,weather,andotherinformation.WestronglyrecommendyoubringaRiteintheRainnotebook(availableatmanyoutdoorretailers–boundandnumberedisbest)asanexcellentwaterresistantcentrallocationtokeeptrackofthisinformation.Pencilswritewellinthesenotebooksevenwhenwet.Pleasebringacoupleofpencils.KayakingEquipment

❑ Seaworthykayak–Yourkayakmusthavepositivebuoyancyandbeabletocarryenoughgearfor5days.

❑ Paddle❑ Sparepaddle❑ Sprayskirt

❑ PFD-CanadianCoastGuardapproved

❑ Whistle❑ Handpump❑ *Seakayaktowline–Thetowline

shouldbebetween5and15metreslongandhaveaquickrelease.

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❑ Helmet–Helmetmustbedesignedforsurfkayakingorwhitewaterkayaking;bicyclehelmetsdon’toffersufficientprotection.

❑ *Stirrup–4.5mloopofbuoyant3/8inchrope

❑ Paddlefloat

NavigationEquipment❑ 2pencilsforchartwork❑ *Chartcase–largeZiplocbagswill

work,butnotverywell❑ OrienteeringCompass❑ *MarineCompass

CampingGear❑ Tent❑ Sleepingbag–3seasonbagwith

syntheticinsulation❑ Sleepingmat❑ Tarpwiththincord❑ *Pillowcase/camppillow

Bathroom❑ Toothbrushandtoothpaste❑ Sunscreenandlipbalmwithhigh

SPFprotection(30+)❑ Toiletpaper❑ Smallfirstaidkit❑ *Camptowel❑ *Padsand/orTampons–bodily

clockscanchangewithincreasedexercise,pleasebepreparedforthis.

ImmersionClothing❑ Wetsuitordrysuitsuitablefor

extendedcold-waterimmersiononthewestcoast.Youwillbepaddlinginthisgearforextendedperiodsoftime,somakesureitfitswell.

❑ Neoprenebootiesorotherimmersionfootwear

❑ Paddlingglovesorpogies

PersonalClothing-Torso❑ RainJacket❑ 2fleeceorwoolsweaters/jackets❑ 2syntheticlongunderweartops❑ 2synthetict-shirts❑ 1windbreaker

PersonalClothing-Legs❑ RainPants❑ 2pairsofpants–Atleastoneshould

bemadeofnylon❑ 1pairoffleeceorwoolpants❑ 1pairofsyntheticlongunderwear

bottoms❑ 1pairofsyntheticshorts❑ Bathingsuit

PersonalClothing-Feet❑ 3pairsofwarmsyntheticand/or

woolsock❑ 2pairsoflinersocks–

Polypropyleneorwoolarecommonmaterials

❑ 1pairofcampshoes–Sneakersworkwell

❑ 1pairofrubberboots❑ 1pairofsportsandals

PersonalClothing-Head❑ 2woolorfleececaps❑ 1Brimmedhatorbaseballcap

PersonalClothing-Hands❑ 1or2pairsoffleeceorwoolgloves

MiscellaneousGear❑ HeadlamporFlashlightwithextra

batteries❑ RiteintheRainNotebook❑ 2pencilsand/orpens❑ Waterbottle❑ PocketKnife❑ SunglasseswithgoodUVprotection

andaretainerstrap❑ SparegarbagebagsandZiplocbags

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❑ Lotsofsnacksfortheentireprogram❑ *Binoculars❑ *Flares

❑ *VHFMarineRadio❑ *GPS❑ *Thermos

PackingYourGearYouwillneedtowaterproofatleastyourclothingandsleepingbag.Dependingonhowwatertightyourkayakis,youcanpacktherestofyourgearlooseorinZiplocsinsidenylonstuffsacks.Herearetwopackingmethodsthatworkwell.Infact,weusuallyuseacombinationofthetwowhenwepack.Remembertoleaveroomforgroupgear.DryBagMethod-DryBagsarespeciallydesignedforpaddlesportsandareavailableatmostsportinggoodsstores.Dependingonthedesignoftheclosuresystem,theydonotalwayskeepallthewaterout.Youmaywanttotestyourbagsintheshowerbeforeyourcoursetoknowhowwellyourgearwillbeprotected.Youwillneedtwo20litrebagsforyoursleepingbagandforyourbulkyclothing,aswellastwoorthree10to15litrebagsfortherestofyourwatersensitiveclothingandgear.StuffSackwithGarbageBagLinerMethod-Stuffsackslinedwithgarbagebagshavebeenusedbykayakersforyearsandwerethepackingvesselofchoicepriortotheinventionofdrybags.Linedstuffsacksactuallydotakesuplessroomthandrybagsandcanbeeasiertopack.Whenusingthismethod,lineastuffsackwithagarbagebagandpackasyouwouldadrybag.Squeezetheairoutofyourgearandthebag,thentwistthegarbagebagtopuptocloseit.Donottiethegarbagebagorusetwistties;simplytuckthetwistedendofthegarbagebagdownintothestuffsackbeforedrawingthetopclosed.Thistechniqueisreliablebutnotdurablesomakesureyoubringextrabagswithyou.Youcanimprovethedurabilityofthissystembyaddinga2ndstuffsackintothegarbagebagcreatingaplasticsandwich.Somesuggestionsforpacking–

o Multiplesmallerbagsarebetterthanafewlargerones.o Alargeduffelbagisusefulfortransportingallyoursmallbagstoandfromthewater.o AlargeTupperwareorRubbermaidcontainerisgoodforstoringwetgearinyourcar.

TheLeadersSKILSstaffmembersareindustryleadersandprofessionalswithextensiveguidingandinstructionalexperienceandcertification.Forprofilesoneachofourstaffmembers,pleasevisitourwebsiteatwww.skils.ca.

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ShownbelowisagenericoutlinefortheAOGUpgradetrainingbutpleasebereadyforchangeanduncertaintyinhowyourprogramwillunfold.Factoringtheskillsandexperienceoftheprogramparticipants,therequirementsofthecourse,andtheelementsyouwillbeplayingin,yourinstructorswillstrivetotakeadvantageofanyandalllearningopportunitiesastheyarise.Theprogramwillbealteredtoprovideparticipantswithasrich,unique,andrewardinganexperienceaspossible.

Morning Afternoon Evening

Day1:UclueletandClayoquotSound

IntroductionsPaperworkMenuplanningFoodsafetyShoppingPacking

TravelingOnWaterCommunicationNavigationSettingUpCampTarpology

WeatherWildlifeInteractions

Day2:ClayoquotSound

Traveling,navigationand

LeadershipScenarios

StrokesandRescuesreviewandpolishing

CockpitBagsWeatherNavigationexercisesLeadershipResponsibilitiesGroupmanagement

Day3:ClayoquotSound

LeadershipScenarios,Traveling,Weather

Traveling,Surfing WaterTreatment

Day4:ClayoquotSound

LeadershipScenarios

Traveling

Weather

Exam Exam

Day5:ClayoquotSound

PaddlinginCurrentsLeadershipScenarios

Traveling

Debrief,FeedbacktoParticipants

CourseOutline

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Inourexperience,alittlepreparationgoesalongway.Pleasetakethetimetoorganizeyourcoursematerialsearlyandspendsometimereviewingthematerial.PaddlingPractice–Itisagoodideatoreviewyourpaddlingskillspriortothecourse,especiallyifyouhaven’tpaddledoverthewinter.Atriportwotothelakeorpoolisrecommendedtotestyoursealegsaswellastheequipmentyouplantouseonthecourse.CoursePreparationPackage-Priortothecourseyouwillbeprovidedwith2trainingbookstohelpyouprepare.Participantsarerequiredtoreadthroughthetrainingbooksatleasttwicepriortothecourse.Reviewingthismaterialwillhelpyoustudyandsucceedonthewrittenexam.PleasepayparticularattentiontothefollowingpagesinNavigation,WeatherandSeaState–APaddlersManual:

❑ 1-37❑ 40-49❑ 58-87

❑ 89-106❑ 110-151❑ 153-197

❑ 203-208❑ 211-213

ProgramPreparation

ThankyouforenrollinginourAOGUpgradetrainingprogram.Ifyouhaveadditionalquestionsorconcerns,pleasecontactusatinfo@skils.ca.Welookforwardtoplayingonthewaterwith

you!