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All level 3 participants should have all level 2 skills plus have developed stroke and bracing skills that allow them to control their boats in difficult conditions. They must be able to judge weather and water conditions and know what dangers they present.
Participants must be proficient with both paddle float and assisted rescues in windy and wavy conditions. They should be comfortable paddling 10 - 15 miles in 10 -15 knot winds with 2 - 3 foot waves.
These include rivers with swift current (3 - 6 mph) with obstacles like downed trees that can present significant danger to paddlers. Paddlers must be able to stop the forward progress of their boat while in a swift current, be able to back up and slide right or left to find a safe resting place. (This is commonly referred to as a back ferry). Paddlers should know how to avoid obstacles by using a combination of draw and pry strokes. They are expected to participate in rescues including using a throw bag to retrieve swimmers, and maneuver in current to retrieve equipment.