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Paddler Ratings

by Jerry Homer, Rating Committee Chair
From the April 1998 WrapAround

The whitewater rivers we paddle are classified using the International Scale of River Difficulty. This European system was developed in the 1960's and rates "runnable" rapids on a scale from I (hardly a riffle) to VI (very difficult and life threatening). Refer to the NH AMC Canoe Chapter's "In Flood" or the AMC River Guide for more information about River Ratings.

Donna Jean Kaiser and Virginia Hoeffding on the Piscataquog River in New Boston during Canoe School

The NH AMC Canoe Chapter's Paddler Rating system attempts to match paddler skills with the demands of a particular section of river. Reduced to its simplest terms, having a Paddler Rating means that the rated paddler has demonstrated knowledge and skills sufficient to run successfully and safely rapids with a difficulty rating corresponding to the paddler's rating. A Class II paddler is expected to be able to "safely run" a Class II rapid and so forth. "Safely run" means negotiate the rapids a high percentage of the time without a potentially dangerous incident -- capsize, broach, swamping, etc.

The NH AMC Canoe Chapter's Rating Committee consists of 5 or 6 experienced paddlers who are active in the Chapter's activities. The Committee will meet periodically, at least once a year prior to the Chapter's annual fall meeting, to review the roster and assign ratings to paddling members. Rating decisions are based on completed rating cards, trip reports, and personal observations. The more input the committee receives the better able we will be to assign fair and accurate ratings.

To qualify for an NH Class II Rating, a paddler must meet the following requirements: Either:

(1) Successfully complete the formal part of the spring Class II White Water school and participate successfully on two more Class II river trips demonstrated by two different signatures on a rating card; or

(2) Successfully participate on three Class II trips demonstrated by three different signatures on a rating card.

Any NH paddler rated Class II or higher can observe a candidate for rating and sign a Class II rating card.

In order to obtain a signature on a rating card you must identify yourself to an NH rated paddler at the beginning of a trip and request to be observed for a rating. It is the candidate's responsibility to obtain the required signatures and return signed rating cards to the Rating Committee.

A Class II (Intermediate) tandem paddler should be able to do the following:

1. Pick out and negotiate a safe course through Class II rapids (be able to read the river)

2. Assess immediate problems including reversals (hydraulics), strainers, sweepers, rocks, bridge abutments, standing waves, etc.

3. Effectively, if not expertly, perform the following strokes both in the bow and stern positions: forward, back, draw, cross draw, sweep, and reverse sweep.

4. Ferry left and right with a partner

5. Back ferry left and right with a partner

6. Stop the motion of a canoe in moving water

7. Perform eddy turns and peel outs

8. Know and use proper safety principles and procedures

a. Maintain proper river group order

b. Know and demonstrate proper use of river signals

c. Wear a proper Personal Flotation Device

d. Do not attempt to stand up in moving current

9. Know what to do in the event of a capsize

10. Know the effect of current on the boat

11. Can safely run a Class II rapid with a partner

To qualify for a Class III rating, a paddler must paddle at least four different Class III rivers and acquire at least four different signatures on a rating card. The Rating Committee will also verify the candidate's rescue ability before issuing a Class III rating.

Any NH paddler rated Class III or higher can sign rating cards or make recommendations to the Rating Committee about Class III ratings.

To maintain a rating a paddler must paddle on a river trip equal to their rating with the NH AMC Canoe Chapter at least once within a two year period. A paddler who fails to meet this requirement will normally be reduced to the next lower rating by the Rating Committee.

NH Canoe Chapter ratings may or may not be recognized by other paddling groups or even by other AMC chapters. Furthermore a paddler's experience in paddling on non-AMC sponsored trips may not be known to the Rating Committee. It is recommended that paddlers to keep a "paddling journal" listing rivers run (specific to section of the river), dates, river level or gauge reading, trip leader, and any noteworthy comments or events. Your journal may be useful to document your paddling experience for someone who does not recognize our rating system and it may be useful to help you recall particular hazards and features of a river in the future.