paddling skill

There are many ways to measure the skill of a paddler in flatwater, whitewater, and in wilderness tripping. Organizations such as the Canadian Recreational Canoeing Association, the American Canoe Association, and others have training, testing and certification programs.

The simplest system is tied to the International Scale of River Difficulty. It is a simple measure of a paddler's ability to handle the different grades of whitewater. That system is as follows:

• beginner Able to handle class I rapids.
• novice Able to handle class II rapids.
• intermediate Able to handle class III rapids.
• advanced Able to handle class IV rapids.
• expert Able to handle class V rapids.