This unit applies to those working as short board instructors in a range of conditions, including planing conditions on open waters with winds of at least 15 knots and wave heights of at least 40cm.

This unit may also apply to outdoor recreation leaders working for outdoor education or adventure providers, volunteer groups, not for profit organisations or government agencies who run short board lessons and or camps.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan for the short board activity.

1.1. Identify food and water requirements to maintain physiological well being during activity.

1.2. Select an activity site or open water location with difficult conditions according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

1.3. Access relevant sources to interpret weatherand environmental information, and determine potential beach conditions.

1.4. Identify potential hazards within the windsurfing environment and minimise risks.

1.5. Determine emergency action to be taken in the event of broken fins, universal, mast and boom according to organisational policies and procedures.

2. Select equipment.

2.1. Identify features of board construction and design, and select the most appropriate short board for specified requirements.

2.2. Determine the advantages and disadvantages of various types of sails and select a suitable sail for the conditions.

2.3. Select equipment according to design and construction features and check working condition.

2.4. Select clothing suitable for the prevailing and anticipated conditions.

2.5. Fit and adjust equipment to ensure comfort, safety and suitability.

3. Rig short board.

3.1. Rig rotational camber-induced and other high-tech sails.

3.2. Outline the process for tuning specialist sails to achieve speed, control or manoeuvrability.

3.3. Adjust harness line where required, and ensure rig selection is suitable to the conditions.

3.4. Adjust the rig for all points of sail and different wind strengths and conditions.

4. Launch and land a short board.

4.1. Launch short board from a beach start, through waves and return ashore in a controlled manner.

4.2. Undertake alternative launch methods in strong winds.

4.3. Apply water starts from varying situations, including in waves, gusts and clew first.

4.4. Uphaul the short board and sail out through waves.

5. Sail short board in surf.

5.1. Adopt a comfortable stance while planing in foot straps.

5.2. Demonstrate efficient upwind sailing.

5.3. Apply a variety of techniques to perform wave jumps and landings.

5.4. Ride on a wave and follow the break, avoiding the close-out.

5.5. Develop speed while controlling excessive power.

5.6. Use waves, rips and currents to enhance sailing technique, speed and stability.

6. Manoeuvre the short board.

6.1. Tack efficiently on a short board in strong winds and rough seas.

6.2. Apply carve gybes effectively in strong winds and rough seas to enhance manoeuvrability.

6.3. Apply appropriate strategies to assist others in difficulty according to organisational policies and procedures.

6.4. Complete self rescue and rescue of others using a short board.

6.5. Demonstrate jury rigging for different breakages.

7. Maintain and repair equipment.

7.1. Maintain high tech equipment according to manufacturer's guidelines and organisational policies and procedures.

7.2. Refer repairs beyond the limit of personal ability, to relevant specialists.

8. Evaluate windsurfing activity.

8.1. Evaluate relevant aspects of the activity.

8.2. Identify improvements for future short board windsurfing experiences in difficult conditions.

Required skills

problem-solving skills to:

rig short boards according to prevailing weather conditions

lunch, land and manoeuvre boards while maintaining control and stability

perform short board wave jumps and landings

use waves, rips and currents to enhance technique

apply strategies to rescue self and others in difficulty

planning and organising skills to:

select suitable open water windsurfing sites or locations with difficult conditions

source short boards, equipment, food and water

conduct routine inspection and maintenance of equipment

communication skills to refer repairs to relevant specialists where required and to discuss possible solutions

numeracy skills to:

select correct sized short boards and sails

determine points of sail in relation to course, wind direction, speed and angles

literacy skills to analyse, interpret and apply weather and environmental information, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures

self management skills to:

review and reflect on own performance

set goals to improve technique

rescue and emergency response skills to enable initial response to emergencies.

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all windsurfing activities

types of short boards, sails and equipment, characteristics and technology used for windsurfing in difficult conditions, and factors affecting appropriate selection

advantages of rotational and camber induced sails to achieve speed and control

open water locations for windsurfing, with winds of at least 15 knots and wave heights of at least 40cm

windsurfing manoeuvres and techniques, including various types of jumps and landings, and tacking and carve gybing in strong winds and rough seas

hazards and risks associated with windsurfing, and the effects of strong winds, tides, currents and rips on launching, landing and manoeuvring short board

construction, maintenance and repair of board and high tech equipment to ensure it remains undamaged

formation and use of waves, rips, undertows, channels and currents to enhance sailing technique, speed and stability

specialists in the local area to refer repair and maintenance tasks beyond personal ability

food and water requirements to maintain health and energy during activities

basic weather and environmental information to ascertain possible conditions and their affect on the activity

emergency and rescue procedures appropriate for location to ensure risk minimisation to self and group.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

applies relevant process to plan and select short board and equipment suitable for difficult, open water conditions, and conducts repairs and maintenance of board and equipment where required

rigs high-tech sails, and launches and lands short board from a beach start through waves, demonstrating controlled techniques and a comfortable stance

assists and rescues other windsurfers in a safe and efficient manner

evaluates and reflects on own windsurfing performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple short board windsurfing activities in difficult conditions to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

resources and information, such as weather sources, to plan and select equipment for the windsurfing activity

a suitable open water location with winds of at least 15 knots and wave heights of at least 40cm

a suitable short board with a fully battened sail

sailboarding, rescue and safety and first aid equipment.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of open water windsurfing environments and the use of high performance equipment

observation of safe participation and demonstration of short board windsurfing techniques and manoeuvres in difficult conditions

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

Guidance information for assessment

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Food and water requirements may include:

range of foods

perishability

storage

hydration.

Difficult conditions may include:

wind strength of 15 knots plus

wave height of 40cm plus

open waters with swell of at least half a metre

planing conditions.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

permits or permission for access

environmental regulations

marine regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety

use, maintenance and storage of equipment

communication protocols

windsurfing etiquette

code of ethics.

Relevant sources may include:

Bureau of Meteorology

media

land managers or agencies

coastal patrol or coastguard

volunteer marine rescue

local knowledge

Weather and environmental information may include:

satellite images

daily and weekly forecasts

maximum and minimum temperatures

weather warnings

event warnings

river levels

synoptic charts

high and low tide predictions.

Hazards may include:

temperature extremes

slippery or unstable terrain

dangerous animals and insects

stinging trees and nettles

dense vegetation

group management hazards

Risks may include:

hypothermia

heat exhaustion

injuries

exhaustion

lost party or party member

equipment failure.

Board may include:

racing

slalom

wave

speed

custom designed.

Sails may include:

wave

slalom

camber induced.

Equipment may include:

harness system

wetsuits

dry suits

boots

gloves

Personal Flotation Devices, types 1, 2 and 3

buoys to mark out a course

safety and first aid equipment

rescue equipment.

Wave jumps and landings may include:

loop and barrel roll

nose and tail landings

chop hopping.

Carve gybes may include:

different arcs

timing the release of the rig

staying on the plane.

Jury rigging may include:

broken universal joint

broken outhaul line

broken boom camlock.

Relevant aspects may include:

objectives

planning process

activity site

weather

equipment selection

clothing selection

food selection

instructional content

instructional technique

directing techniques

rescue techniques employed.

Unit sector

Outdoor Recreation

This unit contains employability skills.