35 kayakers receive certification

THIRTY-FIVE kayakers received their Level 1 and 2 individual skills certification yesterday after going through a grueling one-week course earlier this month.

Organised by the Department of Youth and Sports for the second time, the course which was conducted from April 9-15 in three different venues instilled the basic skills of kayaking in those interested in the sport.

A dozen kayakers received their Level 2 certificates while the remaining 23 are now Level 1 holders.

The Department of Youth and Sports deputy director Hj Abdul Malik Hj Mohammad presented the certificates to the 35 kayakers in a simple ceremony at the Youth Centre in the capital yesterday.

A majority of those who received their certificates were from the Challenge, Adventure, Recreation, Education (CARE) Association and from the Department of Youth and Sports, with individuals from youth-related associations making up the remainder.

"With such courses, we hope that we can produce kayakers with good credentials to guide and steer our youth in using kayak gear and safety equipment," said Hj Nayan Hj Laman, the course's chairman and coordinator of the Department of Youth and Sports' youth associations.

"Kayaking is increasing in popularity and hopefully this course can give coaches the support they need to make kayaking further grow.

"The intention of the course is to teach coaching techniques and skills in order to improve and strengthen individuals in kayaking ... and also develop the safety aspect and management of the sport," he added.

The kayakers did their basic foundation work at the swimming pool at the Youth Centre, moving on to the Serasa Water Sports Complex after that and ending with the Batang Duri Park in Temburong for the real thing; white-water rapids.

Though the certificate holders are now equipped with the basics, they are not yet able to train others.

The course's head coach Hj Ramli Hj Kurus hoped that those who attended the course will decide to further their skill-set and contribute towards the sport's development in Brunei.

"Now they are just trainees (and) know the basics like how to paddle and rescue ... So I hope they will continue learning and move up the levels," he said.

"The Labuan Kayak Challenge is coming up soon and 22 of us will be taking part in it," he added when asked about Brunei's participation in the sport at the international level.

The Brunei Times