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Course Syllabus

OLE 2750 River/Water Technical Leadership

  • Division: Business and Applied Tech
  • Department: Business
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 2; Lab: 2
  • Repeatable: Yes.
  • Semesters Offered: TBA
  • Semester Approved: Spring 2025
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2029
  • End Semester: Fall 2030
  • Optimum Class Size: 11
  • Maximum Class Size: 11

Course Description

This course blends the theory and practical skills of leading and managing groups in aquatic environments. Participants will develop hands-on expertise in areas such as equipment selection, care, and maintenance, including nomenclature; paddling strokes; self and group rescue techniques; reading and interpreting water features and hydrology; Leave No Trace outdoor ethics; risk management; and related emergency procedures. (Field trips required.)

Justification

River/Water Technical Leadership is important for several reasons, particularly if students plan to lead or guide groups in river environments:Safety: River environments can be unpredictable and dangerous. This course equips students with the knowledge and skills to assess risks, make sound decisions, and handle emergencies effectively, ensuring the safety of the group.   Skill Development: This course covers essential technical skills such as navigation, rescue techniques, equipment use, and understanding river dynamics. These skills are crucial for safe and responsible river travel.   Leadership Skills: Leading in a river environment requires specific leadership qualities. This course will help students develop communication, decision-making, and group management skills that are tailored to the challenges of river settings.Environmental Awareness: This course emphasizes responsible river use and conservation. Students learn about and implement water-specific Leave No Trace outdoor ethics.Certification and Credibility: Completing a recognized course can lead to demonstrated paddling competence and certifications. This can be valuable for students pursuing a career in outdoor leadership or guiding.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will learn outdoor leadership and group management specific to river/water environments.
  2. Students will learn fundamental paddling strokes and display efficient boat handling techniques.
  3. Students will learn effective boating safety and appropriate methods for varied circumstances.
  4. Students will learn to recognize/identify water features and the river classification system.
  5. Students will learn to efficiently paddle flat and moving water.
  6. Students will learn self and group rescue techniques.
  7. Students will learn water-based camping principles and techniques.
  8. Students will learn appropriate Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics specific to river/water environments.

Course Content

Outdoor Leadership in a River/Water Environment: teamwork, communication, group dynamics, etc.Equipment: Apparel, PFD, Paddle, Boats/BoardsSafetyTransportation/CarryingBasic Paddle Strokes: Forward/Reverse Power, Sweep, Draw, Pry, J, C, On-side/Off-side, Duffek, High brace, Low brace, Solo paddlingFlatwater Rescues Moving Water, Reading Water Features, International Scale of River Difficulty Moving Water ManeuversMoving Water RescuesWater Craft Camping TechniquesRiver/Water specific Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics