Pre-course Information

Read and be familiar with the:

• Canyon 1 Scope & Syllabus
• Assessments – What to expect
• Assessments – Feedback & Results Process

Assignment - Scenario

You will be given a scenario and asked to plan a half-day canyoning adventure for three clients based on the information given. The trip plan will include aims and objectives, route information, hazard id, contingencies, and how you would source weather and access information.

Applicable components from the NZOIA Canyon 1 Syllabus:

• Section 1: Demonstrate the care and correct use of canyon equipment and clothing
• Section 10: Plan and prepare for a canyon experience
• Section 13: Apply effective safety management

Mini Essay on an assigned topic (250-500 words/no more than one page)

Assigned topic examples:

• The use, advantages and limitations of a variety of emergency communication devices e.g. VHF radio, cell phone, satellite messenger, PLB
• A brief outline and summary about geology of NZ canyons
• Concepts of te ao Māori specific to the canyon/river environment including kaitiakitanga
• A brief outline of inspection protocol for canyoning safety equipment (both hardware and textiles) and how to identify worn / unsafe equipment
• Environmental practices for canyoning: - describe the impacts of visitation on canyon environments and how the principles of Leave No Trace can minimise human impact
• Hydraulic features commonly found in canyons
• Whistle and hand signal communication for canyoning

Applicable components from the NZOIA Canyon 1 Syllabus:

• Section 1: Demonstrate the care and correct use of canyon equipment and clothing
• Section 4: Demonstrate save and efficient canyon movement techniques
• Section 7: Role model and promote accepted environmental practices
• Section 9: Demonstrate and/or describe cultural and environmental knowledge and interpretation of the canyon environment visited
• Section 11: Lead and manage a group during a canyon trip up to v3a3III
• Section 13: Apply effective safety management

Introductory Session

• Welcome, introductions and outline of course
• Assessment process
• Safety management
• Overall logistics
• Feedback and results process
• Theoretical knowledge: multichoice quiz and weather tests
• Questions and answers

The following will likely be covered on Day 1, depending on environmental conditions and other considerations at the time of the assessment:

Full day canyoning

• Organise gear
• Technical skills
• Personal movement
• Route selection and navigation
• File weather interpretation
• Rescue scenarios

Applicable components from the NZOIA Canyon 1 Syllabus:

• Section 1: Demonstrate the care and correct use of canyon equipment and clothing
• Section 2: Demonstrate safe and efficient handling of ropes and packs
• Section 3: Demonstrate safe and efficient rigging techniques
• Section 4: Demonstrate safe and efficient canyon movement techniques
• Section 6: Demonstrate navigation and route selection skills
• Section 7: Role model and promote accepted environmental practices
• Section 8: Understand the impact of the weather on safety in a canyon environment
• Section 13: Apply effective safety management

The following will likely be covered on Day 2, depending on environmental conditions and other considerations at the time of the assessment:

• Rope technical skills and scenarios. Includes system set-ups, rescues and rope ascending
• White water swimming
• Rescue and river crossing
• Flora, fauna, geography and geology
• Model client planning session

Applicable components from the NZOIA Canyon 1 Syllabus:

• Section 3: Demonstrate safe and efficient rigging techniques
• Section 4: Demonstrate safe and efficient canyon movement techniques
• Section 5: Demonstrate canyon rescue skills
• Section 7: Role model and promote accepted environmental practices
• Section 9: Demonstrate and/or describe cultural and environmental knowledge and interpretation of the canyon environment visited
• Section 13: Apply effective safety management

The following will likely be covered on Day 3, depending on environmental conditions and other consideration at the time of the assessment:

Instruct and facilitate a fun solo guided trip for clients.

Applicable components from the NZOIA Canyon 1 Syllabus:

• Section 7: Role model and promote accepted environmental practices
• Section 8: Understand the impact of the weather on safety in a canyon environment
• Section 9: Demonstrate and/or describe cultural and environmental knowledge and interpretation of the canyon environment visited
• Section 11: Lead and manage a group during a canyon trip up to v3a3III
• Section 12: Apply effective safety management
• Section 13: Deliver teaching sessions
• Section 14: Instruct the canyon skills required for a positive, educational and safe experience

Debrief with the Assessor and Assessment result

Pre-course Information

Read and be familiar with the:

• Canyon 2 Scope & Syllabus
• Assessments – What to expect
• Assessments – Feedback & Results Process

The NZOIA 2 candidate is expected to demonstrate the competencies outlined in the NZOIA 1 Syllabus.

Presentation

It can be difficult to assess all aspects of the syllabus over a weekend. To help ease the pressure, you will deliver a 15-minute presentation during the assessment. These presentations are to be at a suitable level for a group of your peers. It is expected that this presentation will be informative and interactive (e.g. game or activity that could be used by others). It is best if the presentation can be delivered without the use of technology, unless you can provide your own.

Assigned topic examples:

• PLB – how does it work and what happens when you activate it in a canyon?
• Ascending gear – what options do we have and what are the pros and cons?
• Environmental practice – what do we need to consider and how do we promote good behaviour during a guiding or instructing session?
• Cultural interpretation – choose a concept of the NZOIA Kaupapa and describe ideas of how to integrate it into a guiding or instructing session.
• Geology – An overview of the geology of NZ Canyons and how it affects the character of the canyons.
• Weather – Describe typical NZ weather patterns and how it affects a planned canyoning trip.

Applicable components from the NZOIA Canyon 2 Syllabus:

• Section 2: Demonstrate the care and correct use of canyon equipment and clothing
• Section 6: Role model and promote accepted environmental practices
• Section 7: Demonstrate and/or describe cultural and environmental knowledge and interpretation of the canyon environment visited
• Section 8: Understand the impact of the weather on safety in a canyon environment
• Section 11: Prepare and deliver teaching sessions

Introductory Session

• Welcome, introductions and outline of course
• Assessment process
• Safety management
• Overall logistics
• Feedback and results process
• Questions and answers
• Gear check

The following will likely be covered on Day 1, depending on environmental conditions and other considerations at the time of the assessment:

Personal Skills

• Equipment and clothing: Care and correct use
• Weather and river flow assessment and interpretation
• Safety management including
  • Emergency planning
  • Communication techniques and devices
• Canyon related knowledge, including:
  • Natural history
  • Ethics and legislation
  • Canyon flora & fauna
  • Te ao Māori
  • Geology and geography
• Rigging of canyons, including demonstrating:
  • Natural anchor use
  • Multi-pitch abseils
  • Water hazard mitigation
• Canyon movement techniques, including:
  • Climbing moves in exposed terrain
  • Whitewater swimming and movement
  • Ascending and descending on single and double ropes and mid-rope conversions
  • Ascending on a guided rappel
  • Sliding & advanced jumping techniques

Q&A with Assessor

Applicable components from the NZOIA Canyon 2 Syllabus:

• Section 1: Demonstrate knowledge of canyoning history, ethics and legislation
• Section 2: Demonstrate the care and correct use of canyon equipment and clothing
• Section 3: Demonstrate safe and efficient rigging of canyons above v3a3III
• Section 4: Demonstrate safe and efficient canyon movement techniques
• Section 5: Demonstrate canyon rescue skills
• Section 6: Role model and promote accepted environmental practices
• Section 7: Demonstrate and/or describe cultural and environmental knowledge and interpretation of the canyon environment visited
• Section 8: Understand the impact of the weather on safety in a canyon environment
• Section 10: Apply effective safety management

The following will likely be covered on Day 2, depending on environmental conditions and other considerations at the time of the assessment:

Personal Skills

Continuation of personal skills demonstration and knowledge as per syllabus (listed in day 1), which may also include:

• Technical and whitewater rescues
• Scenarios

Q&A with Assessor

Applicable components from the NZOIA Canyon 2 Syllabus:

• Section 3:  Demonstrate safe and efficient rigging of canyons above v3a3III
• Section 4: Demonstrate safe and efficient canyon movement techniques
• Section 5: Demonstrate canyon rescue skills
• Section 8: Understand the impact of the weather on safety in a canyon environment
• Section 10: Apply effective safety management

Client day planning session

Applicable components from the NZOIA Canyon 2 Syllabus:

• Section 8: Understand the impact of the weather on safety in a canyon environment
• Section 10: Apply effective safety management
• Section 11:  Prepare and deliver teaching sessions

The following will likely be covered on Day 3, depending on environmental conditions and other considerations at the time of the assessment:

Client Day

Lead and manage a group on a canyon trip, instructing intermediate / advanced canyoning skills, which may include sessions such as:

• Equipment
• Weather and river flows
• Canyoning movement and spotting
• Rock climbing moves
• Whitewater swimming
• Advanced jumping and sliding techniques
• Abseiling
• Bottom belaying
• Canyon related knowledge i.e.:
  • Natural history
  • Ethics and legislation
  • Canyon flora & fauna
  • Te ao Maōri
  • Geology and geography

Applicable components from the NZOIA Canyon 2 Syllabus:

• Section 1: Demonstrate knowledge of canyoning history, ethics and legislation
• Section 2: Demonstrate the care and correct use of canyon equipment and clothing
• Section 3: Demonstrate safe and efficient rigging of canyons above v3a3III
• Section 4: Demonstrate safe and efficient canyon movement techniques
• Section 6: Role model and promote accepted environmental practices
• Section 7: Demonstrate and/or describe cultural and environmental knowledge and interpretation of the canyon environment visited
• Section 8: Understand the impact of the weather on safety in a canyon environment
• Section 9: Lead and manage a group during a canyon trip
• Section 10: Apply effective safety management
• Section 11: Prepare and deliver teaching sessions
• Section 12: Instruct the canyon skills required for safe, well managed and positive learning experiences for participants

Debrief with the Assessor and Assessment result