Welcome to the steps for becoming an Accredited Steersperson for a Spec OC 6. Please read the entire document before you decide to begin the process.
Important acronyms
| AS | Accredited Steersperson |
| SIT | Steersperson in Training |
| SAS | Supervising Accredited Steersperson, 1 year experience The trainer. AS sits in 5 or 6. |
| ASM | Accredited Steersperson Mentor. 3 years experience Experienced, trusted, adviser & advocate. Oversees training progress. |
| ASE | Accredited Steersperson Evaluator, 3 years experience |
| SC | Steering Coordinator Connects all the dots. Recordkeeping and tracking. |
| BOD | Board of Directors. Oversees the Steering Accreditation Process. |
Steering Accreditation Overview
OSC wants to help you become an Accredited Steersperson (AS). More steerspeople means more canoes and paddlers on the water.
Every paddler is encouraged to learn how to steer. Knowing what the steersperson is doing gives insight as to what each paddler must do in return. To learn how to effectively steer, you will learn about the external forces on the canoe (wind, current, swell, kelp, waves, other water vessels, stationary objects such as docks, rocks, buoys, weather, etc.), the internal forces in the canoe (i.e. paddle blending, teamwork, huli risk reduction and recovery, paddling techniques) and effective communication. The more each paddler knows about how these conditions affect the canoe the better each paddler will be wherever they sit in the canoe.
Responsibility and Liability
- Crew safety
- Protection of OSC equipment
- Avoiding harm to others and vessels on the water
- Review your membership required NCOCA Waiver
- To minimize risks to the greatest extent possible (both organizational and personal), OSC’s training program includes an extensive Steering Resources with written/video materials, hands-on instruction, workshops and final evaluations.
Decision-making and Accountability
- Determine course direction, stroke rate, timing of changes, passing decisions, power adjustments, and emergency responses (i.e. huli recovery, radio use).
- Decisions directly impact the safety and performance of the crew.
- The role demands sound judgement, vigilance, and a commitment to safety and excellence.
- You, more than any other paddler in the canoe, will contribute to, or detract from, the progress of the canoe.
- Review your Roles and Responsibilities as a SIT.
Once accredited, OSC
Expects you to:
- Maintain steering proficiency through ongoing practice and participation in training activities.
Anticipates you will:
- Support OSC programs & community events when you can: Sunday Rec, Shared Adventures, Juniors, Learn to Paddle, Aloha Races etc.
- Participate in the steersperson training process and Steering Support Program when appropriate.
Paddlers who meet the prerequisites below can start the process to become a SIT. If you would like to attend steering accreditation classes/workshops without becoming accredited, stay tuned for upcoming classes/workshops.
Mental and Physical Prerequisites
- Demonstrated paddling stamina and endurance, recommend ability to paddle 6-8 miles with no/minimal rests.
- Strong competent paddler with extensive experience in the canoe. Recommend 3 years of paddling.
- Excellent leadership skills, including a calm demeanor and ability to take charge during crisis situations.
- As the leader of the crew, you should be able to demonstrate that you can enter a spec canoe from the water without assistance and tread water for at least 30 minutes in 55-degree water with or without a pfd.
- Have a positive attitude, demonstrate effective listening skills, and ability to communicate clear instructions.
- Understand and cultivate outrigger canoe paddling within our community and the beyond.
- Lead by example, especially when it comes to OSC’s Code of Conduct.
The steps for becoming a Steersperson in Training (SIT) and an Accredited Steersperson (AS) for a Spec OC6
Step 1: Review the prerequisites. Ensure you meet or exceed them. Get input from current ASs about your interest and readiness for steering.
Step 2: Contact the Steering Coordinator (SC). The SC will also review the criteria with you and refer you to the list of ASMs on the OSC TeamSnap Roster. Your ASM will make the final decision if you meet the prerequisites.
Step 3: Study the information on the OSC website pages: Steering Resources and Steering Safety. The website is a deep resource with book suggestions, videos, and taped club seminars. Steering classes will also be offered periodically by OSC (stay posted on TeamSnap). Begin to familiarize yourself with the following resources: Santa Cruz Port District and Harbor and Surfline.
Step 4: Select an ASM. Once you have identified an ASM who agrees to mentor you, notify the SC. As mentioned in Step 1, the ASM must agree that you meet or exceed all the prerequisites. If the ASM has any reservations about your readiness the ASM should discuss this with you and inform the SC.
Consult with the leaders/coaches of the paddling groups you are likely to practice steering with. Although you are responsible for setting the pace of your training, the ASM will oversee and guide you through your training progress. Contact them with questions, comments, concerns, utilize their knowledge and expertise.
Step 5: Learn the art and skill of steering. Develop your steering skills through regular practice with, at least, 3 different SASs (this can include your ASM) to gain exposure to varied steering styles and perspectives. There is no primary trainer.
- Begin by sitting in seat 5 with a SAS in 6; engage in a dialogue with instructions/questions. Try co-steering.
- When ready, steer from seat 6 in good to moderate conditions, under direct supervision with a SAS in seat 5. The SAS retains full responsibility for crew and canoe safety.
- When you, your ASM, and SAS agree you are ready to steer a canoe under indirect supervision (SAS is in a separate canoe) notify the Steering Coordinator (SC) prior to proceeding.
- Under indirect supervision, you assume responsibility for the safety of your crew and equipment and for adhering to the specific parameters for indirect supervision.
- Before each session under indirect supervision, the SIT, SAS, crew, and program leader must jointly assess and consider:
- Ocean and weather conditions
- Crew strength and experience
- Planned route and float plan
- Boat traffic
- Any other relevant safety factors
- As a SIT, you are asked to keep a log in whatever format you choose. A record of your training will not only help you reflect on your experiences and support your evaluation, but it can also provide valuable insights for your continued growth as a steersperson. Essential information for the log includes: Dates, SAS, time spent. Additional recommended information may include: conditions, challenges faced, times spent steering under Indirect Supervision and key takeaways. Sample log. It is an important resource for you, your ASM, the SC and the ASEs.
Step 7: Complete the open-book test. Most of the information you need to know is available on the Steering Resources webpage or should have been learned during your training. The completed test will be discussed between you and your ASM.
Step 8: Complete the Spec OC6 Final Evaluation Paddle. This is a single, designated, and separate paddle to address all the competencies on the Spec OC6 Final Evaluation Checklist. It involves an on-land and on-water assessment of your overall steering skills, including a huli recovery. Plan for 1.5 – 2 hours. If it takes place within the context of another group paddle (i.e. Pirates, Aloha Friday, Sunday Rec, Race practice) the float plan will not be the same. When you feel ready for this evaluation, express this to your ASM. Your ASM will consult with other SAS’s who have supervised you. If your ASM and SASs are in agreement with your competency and your ASM has seen and reviewed your log and test, contact the SC to schedule your final evaluation paddle. The SC will follow up with the ASM.
Step 9: Contact the Steering Coordinator.The SC schedules the ASEs, the crew and the canoe and is the conduit for communication for coordinating the Final Evaluation paddle. You will be evaluated by a team of 3 evaluators: your ASM and two other ASEs. All 3 will be in the canoe with you. The ASM is responsible for making sure all requirements toward accreditation are accurately and completely fulfilled. ASM duties.
Step 10: Accreditation. This requires unanimous agreement by all 3 evaluators. Immediate and direct feedback will be provided to you at the conclusion of your final evaluation paddle. If you do not pass, the evaluators will provide specific input and guidance on areas of needed improvement and recommended additional training before re-scheduling the final evaluation.
Step 11: The ASM notifies the SC that the SIT has completed their evaluation. The ASM ensures that all 3 ASEs understand how to properly complete their checklists and the importance of submitting them to the SC (via text or email) within 24 hours. The SC will contact the BOD, President once all 3 are received. If accreditation is successful, the president will send a club-wide TeamSnap email and chat message. Your name will be added to the Accredited Steersperson list on the OSC TeamSnap roster.
Once spec OC6 accreditation is achieved, there is transitional training with separate competency checklists for ASs desiring endorsement to steer an Unlimited (UL) and/or Double Hull (DH). Please read the attached links and contact the Steering Coordinator, if interested.