Access_21_Course

history of Canadian Canoeing and the importance of wearing the right equipment for canoeing. {draw:frame} Clothing that is required for Canoeing 4 Image of canoaeing in Cork 5 Clothing that is required for canoeing 6 Image of longjons and cagoule 7 Bouyancy aids and life jackets 8 Image of a bouyancy aid and life jacket 9 The importace of wearing a helmet 10 Image of a canoe helmet 11 Conclusion 12 Appendix 13 {draw:frame} Image of a gentle paddle on the river Inny {draw:frame} Image of The Liffey Descent 2009 History of canoes Clothing required for canoeing {draw:frame} Whilst out canoeing and kayaking temperatures rise and fall, wind force and direction change and recreational canoeing tends to vary greatly in pace from intense concentration to a complete stop for lunch. “It is important that clothing should protect the body, keep the body warm though not to restrict movement, which can be a difficult task because, when weather and water conditions rarely remain constant during a canoeing activity” (Irish Canoe Union). It is the instructor/coach’s responsibility to ensure that every member of their group is properly clothed so they can participate fully in the planned activities in a safe manner without any avoidable problems. Therefore, proper clothing is as important as any other piece of canoeing equipment. The canoeist does not have to buy expensive brand names, the club will advise the canoeist on what clothing equipment should be worn. Long johns and Cagoule {draw:frame} Fig.1-Image of a Cagoule {draw:frame} Fig.2-Image of Long johns Buoyancy aids and Lifejackets {draw:frame} A buoyancy aid is one of the most important pieces of equipment a canoeist wears whilst out paddling. The buoyancy aid should be comfortable when out paddling and should not ride up around the canoeist head whilst on the water. “A regular test should be carried out on buoyancy aids”(Irish Canoe union coach training handout). This test should be done regularly on buoyancy aids as buoyancy aids tend to fade and the foam that is fitted inside it also shrinks. This can endanger a canoeist life if the buoyancy aid does not meet the requirements needed for canoeing. A test that can be carried out on buoyancy aids to make sure that they are of safety is attach a six kilogramme weight to the buoyancy aid and drop it in water of sufficient depth. If the buoyancy aid sinks then it fails the test. Another test that should be carried out on buoyancy aid is to jump into the water while wearing it and check the straps to ensure the straps are secure and also that they do not permit the jacket to ride too high. Life jackets are designed to save lives, especially where the canoeist is incapacitated. Their advantage over a buoyancy aid is that they will float the canoeist on their back and therefore facilitate breathing if the swimmer becomes unconscious, hypothermic or exhausted. There are many designs of life jackets that are available, mostly of the inflatable type, which is why these many life jackets are unsuitable for the use of canoeing on a river. The most suitable type of a lifejacket for canoeing is one which has an inherent buoyancy of six kilograms or sixteen kilograms when fully inflated. A separate cover is available for lifejackets to prevent tears and punctures to it. Buoyancy Aid and Lifejacket {draw:frame} Fig-3-Image of a Lifejacket {draw:frame} Fig.4-Image of a Buoyancy Aid The Importance of wearing a helmet {draw:frame} A helmet is a must for a canoeist and any people on the water. Not only do they offer protection from the river environs but also from the less co-ordinated of those in the group. As it is such an necessary piece of equipment, the instructor or coach should ensure from the beginning that everyone in the group is aware of the reasons why a helmet must be worn. “Unfortunately, some of the helmets used for canoeing offer no more than a false sense of security”(loots 35). A helmet should give the canoeist protection, not only to the top of the head but also the temples and to the back of the head and ears. It should be capable of been worn and secured well down on the forehead, so as not to be pulled back over the head when capsized in flowing water thus exposing the temples. A good helmet should drain quickly and not interfere with the canoeist hearing. It should be hard enough to withstand a severe impact on a rock without splitting. Any fastenings must be capable of remaining secure and any metal fitting should be corrosion proof. A proper fitted helmet will save canoeist lives and therefore should be bought from a reliable source. Helmet for canoeing Fig.5-Helmet used for canoeing Conclusion Canadian canoeing is a sport that the Canadians developed over thousands of years ago, they developed canoeing for transportation and for hunting. Now a day’s Canadian canoeing is a sport that can be either relaxing or demanding, depending on what river the paddler wishes to explore. The safety equipment used must be of high standard of quality, if the wrong equipment is worn , the paddlers life may be at risk. All equipment must be kept to high standard and checked at all times especially before a Canadian canoeing trip. Straps on helmets must be checked for corrosion and buoyancy aids must be checked because of the foam filling in them. Wearing the right clothing for canoeing is a must, if the paddler wears the wrong clothing they are putting their lives at risk because of hypothermia and also over heating can be lethal to the canoeist on the water. {draw:frame} Bibliography Images were taking from my own camera. Irish Canoe Union Course notes. Loots, Johan, Sea Kayaking The Essential Guide to Equipment and Techniques. London, Cape Town, Sydney, Auckland: New Holland 2000.