Canoe Guide II exam (Canadian canoe, kayak)
8 and 9 June 2027
The Canoe Guide II exam can be taken in one or both categories (Canadian canoe, kayak).
Canoe Guide II exam (Canadian canoe, kayak)
Attending preparation courses at SOA companies is recommended
Date: Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 June 2027
Location: Simme and Weisse or Schwarze Lütschine (depending on water level)
Time: 08:00 to 16:00
Meeting point: to be announced
Course language: German, English, French
(If arriving the evening before: call the course leaders!)
Minimum number of participants: 6
Course coordinator: Kathrin Fischbacher, Head of the SOA Canoe Section
info@kanuzentrum.ch, +41 79 286 46 59
Experts: Yannick Zeller, Richard Mikosch
Price:
SOA members CHF 390
Non-members CHF 490
Registration deadline: 28 May 2027
Exam content
Practice on WW III + IV:
- Paddling technique
- River tactics with route planning
- Rescue and recovery in the boat
- Swimming rescue
- Group leadership (with briefing / communication)
Theory:
- Nature & environment
- Hydrology/weather
- Laws/ordinances/rules
- Group leadership / first aid
- Trip preparation
Required equipment
Clothing (for longer and repeated time in cold water):
- Wetsuit / drysuit
- Suitable canoe shoes
Technical equipment:
- Kayak or Canadian canoe
- Buoyancy aid with rescue equipment (cowtail), helmet, spray deck for kayak
- Complete rescue equipment incl. first aid kit
- Complete paddling equipment
- Spare equipment
Miscellaneous:
- Course documents
- Writing materials
- Food
Prerequisites
- Minimum age 18
- Passed SOA Canoe Guide I (kayak, Canadian canoe or SUP) or an equivalent training recognised by the SOA
- Practical and theoretical knowledge of at least WW 4
- Proof of experience: logbook or written confirmation from the company (at least 40 hrs / 80 km) on WW III and above. Compulsory: bring to the exam
Supporting documents
- BLS-AED complete certificate (max. 2 years old) and proof of a first aid course (max. 2 years old), or Samaritan First Aid Level 1 IAS (IVR) certificate (max. 2 years old)
- Rescue3 SRT or WRT-PRO course or equivalent
- Proof of experience: see above
- Proof of accident insurance
The supporting documents listed are presented to the course leader at the start of the course. The course leader informs the office whether the documents are complete. SOA cards are only issued once all documents have been received.
Courses/exams are only considered passed once all documents have been submitted; certificates are issued only then. Missing documents (e.g. BLS/AED, first aid, logbooks) can be submitted up to 3 months after completing the course/exam – after that, any claim to certification of the training/exams/courses lapses. The same applies to any resits, which must also take place within 3 months of the exam date. For later certification, the training/exams/courses must be repeated in full. This rule applies from the 2024 course year onwards.