Before applying to attend a Level 4 Kayak Skills Award Assessment, a candidate must:

• Be at least 12 years of age
• Be a member of Canoeing Ireland

Assessment:

• The Level 3 Kayak Skills assessment must take place outdoors on water of Grade II difficulty as part of a river trip.
• No part of an assessment can be taken in a swimming pool
• During an assessment a participant must explain and demonstrate all techniques and skills at a level higher than that required for the Level 2 Kayak Skills Award. All techniques, skills and rescues must be demonstrated to an assessor's satisfaction in order to achieve this award
• All strokes should be demonstrated in relevant situations i.e. sculling in a small stopper. Strokes should be demonstrated on both sides of the kayak.
• Generally, required assessment rescues will be kept until the end of an assessment

Assessment Guidelines:

• It is recommended that a Level 3 Kayak Skills Award is assessed by a Instructor other than the Instructor who ran the training course leading to assessment
• The Level 3 Kayak Skills Award can only be assessed by a currently registered Canoeing Ireland Instructor who is, at minimum, a Level 3 Kayak Instructor
• The assessment can be carried out with a maximum of six candidates to one assessor
• Generally guidelines will be given, should a candidate fail an assessment, as to the areas that they need to improve on