Yakity Yak Participant Grading System

Yakity Yak North Shore Participant Grading System

Please use this sytem when booking in on trips - select ability level then fitness level
 

Level	Description	Ability to cope with wind on open water	Rescues	Surf	Navigation
1	Novice / Beginner	Can paddle across open water in winds of up to 10 knots (a moderate breeze) from any direction.	Can do assisted rescues but not yet able to do self rescues confidently.	Not yet able to land on beaches with surf.
2	Intermediate	Can paddle across open water in winds of up to 15 knots (a good wind with some whitecaps) from any direction	Can do self rescues in mild conditions (gentle swells)	Able to land on beaches with small surf (up to a 0.5 of a metre)
3	Competent	Can paddle across open water in winds of up to 20 knots (a strong wind with numerous whitecaps) from any direction	Can do self rescues in moderate to rough conditions	Able to land on beaches with surf of up to 1 metre	Can navigate over open water without assistance in good visibility
4	Advanced	Can paddle across open water in winds of 20 to 30 knots (a near gale) from any direction	Can do self rescues in rough conditions	Able to land on beaches with surf of 1 to 1.5 metres	Can navigate over open water in poor visibility without assistance

 
 

Level	Description	Endurance	Approximate distance if travelling into the wind
A	Casual Paddler	Can paddle for an hour without stopping into winds of up to 10 knots (a moderate breeze)	2.5 - 3.5 nautical miles (4.5 - 6.5 kilometres)
B	Paddle Fit	Can paddle for 2 hours without stopping into winds of up to 15 knots (a good wind)	5 - 7 nautical miles (9 - 13 kilometres)
C	Strong	Can paddle for 3.5 hours without stopping into winds of up to 20 knots (a strong wind)	5.25 - 8 nautical miles (9.5 - 15 kilometres)