Guide Requirements
CLASS I: A minimum of one certified
Full Guide.
CLASS II: A minimum of one certified
Full Guide and one certified Assistant Guide.
CLASS III: A minimum of one certified
Class III Full Guide and one certified Assistant Guide.
Canadian Coastal Waters Classification:
A classification of coastal waters that considers topography,
bathymetry, fetch, tidal action, marine traffic and any local
anomalies that would affect sea kayaking safety. This includes waters in Alaska and Greenland. Areas are identified
on a Master Classification Map developed by the ACSKG. Classifications
are:
CLASS I : Protected Waters
CLASS II: Open Coastal Waters
CLASS III: Stretches of very
high energy coastline with minimal refuge
| RATIOS |
| DOUBLES | SINGLES | MIXED |
| CLASS I | 1:6 / 2:7 to 12 | 1:4 / 2:5 to 8 | 1:5 /
2:6 to 10 |
| CLASS II | 2:10 | 2:6 | 2:8 |
| CLASS III | 2:8 | 2:4 | 2:6 |
Ratios are Defined Here as Guide To Client
Maximum group size
is the two guides plus the maximum number of clients (e.g. Class
I in doubles is 12 people). In Mixed Kayak groups the Full Guide
must be in a single and there must be a minimum of one guide kayak
for every three client kayaks in Class I and II waters. In Doubles
one of the guides may be in a single.
Personal Flotation Devices
Coast Guard Approved PFDs must be
worn at all times.
Conduct on the Water
Groups shall travel in the manner
recommended by the ACSKG Leadership Course Core Curriculum.
Conduct on the Land
Groups shall conduct themselves on
land in accordance with the ACSKG Minimum Impact Standards.
Regulations
Groups shall abide by all regulations
and laws in effect in the jurisdiction of operation.
Equipment Requirements
Each kayak must have the Canadian
Coast Guard Small Vessels Regulations minimum required equipment:
- a bailing device (pump or bailer
can)
- a paddle for each cockpit (either
a two part kayak paddle or a one piece kayak paddle)
- a sound signaling device (e.g.
whistle)
- a spare paddle
- a Coast Guard Approved PFD for
each person
Additional equipment required for
each trip:
- minimally, a complete Guide Kit
as recommended by the ACSKG Core Curriculum.
- a Wilderness Alert Back-Country First Aid Kit.
- one tow line per guide with at
least 50 feet of buoyant line attached to a quick release system.
- a combination of hand held visible
light parachute flares and smoke flares.
- a radar reflector which can be
raised at least 5 feet above the deck of a kayak when in areas
of high boat traffic and crossing navigation channels.
- a waterproof container holding
a marine VHF radio capable of sending a distress signal (Ch.
16) and receiving weather information, an extra waterproofed battery
pack and an extendible radio antenna.
- where VHF radios do not operate
then other radio configurations may be required (e.g. HF radio)
- an EPIRB in Class III, and areas
with poor VHF communication
- one sprayskirt per cockpit
- all kayaks must have secure
buoyancy such that the boats can be re-entered and paddled when
awash (e.g. sea socks, watertight bulkheads, inherent buoyancy,
floatation bags)
- other appropriate gear for clients
and guides as recommended by the ACSKG Leadership Course Core
Curriculum