Instructor FAQ Brief 14

Who is competent? - a quick revisit

A truly new sea kayak - The Sea Quest

What is the correct seat height

Book review - Sea Kayak Navigation - Ferrero

Book review - Sea Kayak Navigation Simplified - Moyer

Book review - Up the Creek

Who is competent?

Assessors often struggle with knowing when they have gathered enough evidence to say that someone is competent, especially when evidence needs to be gathered "over a period of time" and "in different contexts". 

The approach to answering the question; competent/not yet competent, should not be approached like a maths exam (49% and below; fail, 50% and above; pass). 

Consider a different approach; The assessment task involves performing a role or job (or part thereof).  Each part of the performance can be considered a piece of evidence.  Most of the parts (of the task or knowledge) can be considered as individual elements (elements of competency), however there are two overall areas that are critical to the observed performance;

1. Is it safe ? - the performance must not endanger the assessee, the assessor or any other party
2. Is the desired outcome achieved to the level of the role ?

The rest of the pieces of evidence can be considered in a discrete fashion, for each piece ask the question; "does it demonstrate competence?".  If the answer is yes, file it in your mind or on paper in the competent file (and vice versa).  At some point in the process the size (width and depth) of the files should make the decision for you.

The gathering of evidence only needs to go on until such time as the evidence "files" make the decision that the person can perform the role safely reaching the desired outcomes.

New Boats

The Sea Quest

Designed by Tim Dillenbeck

This boat is something completely new to sea kayaking, it has lines resembling an America's Cup yacht and innovations and variations on the seat, the rudder assembly, the hull/deck join, etc.

I had the privilege of being entrusted by Tim Dillenbeck, with a test boat for a recent QLD sea kayak program. Tim Dillenbeck, the designer, has put two years of himself into the design and construction of this kayak and he speaks authoritatively and passionately on every aspect. Unfortunately for me the test did not involve extreme conditions (as they say in Queensland; "beautiful one day….").

What the boat didn’t do was the most startling thing to begin with; I paddle a 5.3 metre sea kayak regularly and when I put on the power, it noticeably brings up the bow wave and the stern digs in. When I pushed the Sea Quest on flatwater it did not appear to go into wave making mode. It remained flat, produced little wake and was very fast for a 5.3m boat.  Though fully loaded for a weekend program it remained high on the water.

This boat feels big in every respect even though it is only 5.3 metres overall.  I should warn the reader at this point that my own prejudice is for smaller sea kayaks that are built more for manoeuvrability than straight line ocean cruising. As the Assessor on the course I was constantly trying to maintain or alter my aspect to the group.  I found the Sea Quest being bigger, "straighter" and more stable than my usual boat a lot more work.

Though short, the boat is very high volume with enormous storage space and I was worried that I kept forgetting things each time we packed as I seemed to have too much empty space. The boat did not take any water into the storage compartments despite being given every opportunity to do so.

In short, this would be way up on the list for long crossings and long distance ocean touring.

Brief details

• The test boat had an exceptional finish - yet not up to Tim's standards
• initial stability is phenomenal without compromising straight line speed – you can look good performing any amount of upright acrobatic tricks you desire
• secondary stability is also exceptional thanks to high, flat topsides
• the boat is built for comfortable long distance sea touring and in that role it is exceptional
• to me the boat feels more like a dinghy that you sit in rather than a kayak that you wear - I think this comes from its stability, size and long keel line
• due to a long aft keel line, the boat tracks very well when flat, when edged, it turns well
• the foot bar (with pedals located on its upper surface) was a little low so that the balls of the feet are sitting directly on the rudder pedals reducing the ability to leg drive
• the foot position is very easy to alter whilst underway with a single hand movement
• the rudder is a work of art with the following features;
• fully retracts into a recess in the hull (no windage at all when not in use)
• balanced rudder blade (does not load up the foot pedals even under a full broach)
• the hatch configuration took on no water despite plenty of opportunities

A special thanks goes to Kayanu and Tim Dillenbeck.
 Kayanu (07) 3893 4400

Response from Tim Dillenbeck - Designer

Thank you Ian for you positive review and constructive comments.

It was unfortunate that the test did not involve extreme conditions because the feedback I normally get is that the most fun, is to paddle the SeaQuest in rough conditions. Particularly in following sea, it takes off easily on a wave and broaching can be well controlled due to the hard chine configuration and the effective rudder.

In head sea, it has been observed that the pitching is very low and a good cruising speed can be maintained.

Regarding the "big kayak" feeling, your observation is absolutely correct. It has the volume more in line with a 5.8m kayak but due to the shorter length, the "semi" hard chine and plenty of rocker, the manoeuvrability is better than the longer sea kayaks, in particular when leaning and carving a turn.

What is the correct seat height?

Seat height is very important to lower back health. Your buttocks should be above the level of your feet, and the longer you are sitting in your boat, the higher that should be. As general guidance the seat pan should be a minimum of 2 cm above the heels of your feet. If you are finding you get minor lower back pain or stiff/sore legs try raising your seat with some close cell foam. Increased seat height will reduce stability, however you can get used to slightly reduced stability but not to back problems.

IMPORTANT NOTE: When trying to "lock yourself into a seat" make sure the two fore and aft points are the balls of the feet and the buttocks on the seat - not the lower spine.

Book review - Sea Kayak Navigation

Billed as "The Black Art Demystified", this book lives up to its name.  It clearly and succinctly covers the details of coastal navigation in sea kayaks.  At only 62 pages it can be read in one sitting, however it is worth working slowly through the book with a chart on hand to practice the skills as you read.  Franco also has an interesting sense of humour which comes out in his drawings where he uses names such as Broken Head, Bone Crusher Rock, Shipwreck Point and Blood and Sludge Bay on his sample charts.

Franco Ferrrero
ISBN 0-9531965-1-9
Book supplied by Boat Books

Book review - Sea Kayak Navigation Simplified

Do you tend to find that most navigation texts assume you are either walking along a ridge with a Silva compass in your hand or navigating a yacht complete with chart table and an array of electronic equipment?  This book is short, easy to read and full of handy tips and I would recommend it for all sea kayak navigators from novice to expert.

Lee's introduction superbly illustrates his whole approach to navigation and safety;

"Safety is more dependent on your ability to
control your exposure to hazards than on your
ability to handle hazards" 

Lee Moyer
ISBN 0-9669795-3-2
Book supplied by Boat Books

Book review - Up the Creek

This book is a series of personal stories of accidents and incidents in open canoes with a brief analysis and lessons learned.  It has a very North American feel, however it is a valuable read for all Canoe Guides and Instructors to assist you in thinking through your preparation for canoeing trips.

Doug McKown
ISBN 0-07-139090-1
Book Supplied by Boat Books