Canoe & Kayak Rating System
The New York-North Jersey Chapter of the AMC paddles a wide variety of waterways. We can direct you on starting, improving, equipment questions, training, nearby water access points, trips with leaders, etc. Don’t be shy! We’re here to help you get started.
All paddle trips are rated for difficulty using the following designations:
Water Classifications
| Quiet Water | |
| Slow-moving or still water. Minimal wind and/or effective wind shelter. No more than gentle waves. No obstacles/route hazards requiring more than beginner skills to avoid. Paddling pace and distance are appropriate for beginners with some experience. Distance from land is no more than a quarter-mile. Self-rescue is easy. Paddling conditions, distances, and pace is more manageable than WW CL1 or TW 1. Typical waters include small/medium lakes, small and slow rivers, and salt marshes. | |
| Class I: Easy (CL1) | Touring Water 1 (TW1) |
| Fast-moving water with riffles and small waves. Few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Risk to swimmers is slight, self-rescue is easy. | Sustained winds to 10 knots. Waves up to 1 foot, minimal whitecaps, and no break. Up to ½ mile from shore. Typical distance up to 10 miles at an average pace of 2½ knots. Minimal route hazards include currents, rocky or steep landings, heavy boat traffic, etc. Typical waters include large lakes, slow-moving rivers, small estuaries, and bays. |
| Class II: Novice (CL2) | Touring Water 2 (TW2) |
| Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels, which are evident without scouting. Rapids at the upper end of this difficulty range are designated “Class II+.” Occasional maneuvering may be required, but trained paddlers easily miss rocks and medium-sized waves. Swimmers are seldom injured, and group assistance, while helpful, is rarely needed. | Sustained winds up to 10 knots. Waves up to 1 foot with whitecaps and small breaks. Up to a half-mile from shore. Typical distance up to 12 miles at an average pace of 2½-3 knots with few on-shore breaks. Moderate route hazards such as currents, rocky or steep landings, heavy boat traffic, etc. Typical waters include large lakes and rivers, estuaries, and bays. |
| Class III: Intermediate (CL3) | Touring Water 3 (TW3) |
| Rapids with moderate, irregular waves may be difficult to avoid and swamp an open canoe. At the lower or upper end of this difficulty range, rapids are designated “Class III-” or “Class III+,” respectively. Complex maneuvers in fast current and good boat control in tight passages or around ledges are often required; large waves or strainers may be present but are easily avoided. Strong eddies and powerful current effects can be found, particularly on large-volume rivers. Scouting is advisable for inexperienced parties. Injuries while swimming is rare; self-rescue is typically easy, but group assistance may be required to avoid long swims. | Sustained winds up to 16 knots. Waves up to 3 feet and/or breaking waves up to 2 feet. Up to 1 mile from shore. Typical distance up to 14 miles at an average pace of 3 knots with few on-shore breaks. Moderate route hazards include strong currents, surf launches, landings, rocky or steep landings, heavy boat traffic, etc. Typical waters would be very large lakes, large estuaries and bays, sounds, and an open ocean. |
| Class IV: Advanced (CL4) | Touring Water 4 (TW4) |
| Intense, powerful, but predictable rapids require precise boat handling in turbulent water. Depending on the river’s character, it may feature large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages demanding fast maneuvers under pressure. A quick, reliable, eddy turn may be needed to initiate maneuvers, scout rapids, or rest. Rapids may require “must” moves above dangerous hazards. Scouting is necessary the first time down. The risk of injury to swimmers is moderate to high, and water conditions may make self-rescue difficult. Group assistance for rescue is often essential but requires practiced skills. A strong Eskimo roll is highly recommended. Rapids at the lower or upper end of this difficulty range are designated “Class IV-” or “Class IV+,” respectively. | Sustained winds up to 25 knots. Waves up to 5 feet and/or breaking waves up to 3 feet. Typical distance up to 14 miles at a pace of 3 knots or greater with few on-shore breaks. Potential for significant route hazards such as strong currents, surf launches, landings, etc. Typical waters include surf zones and open oceans. |
The river contains Class II and III water sections if the rating is shown as (CL 2/3). If the rating is (CL 2 & 3), the trip will divide into two groups, a group on the Class II section and another on the Class III section. Class IV trips may include Class V whitewater sections. The New York-North Jersey Chapter doesn’t currently sponsor Class V trips.
How do I earn paddler ratings?
The CKC uses a system of paddler ratings to provide trip leaders an indication of the skill level of paddlers who register for their trips. According to the guidelines outlined below, participants on CKC paddling trips or classes can receive ratings. If you wish to receive a rating on an AMC trip, which has a multitude of benefits, ask the trip or water leader to observe you on the trip.
Paddler ratings correspond to trip ratings of the same level. Please note that paddler ratings above Class II are boat-specific. For example, a paddler with a Class II rating has been assumed to have Class II paddling skills.
Quiet Water (QW) Rating: Two QW trips. This can be two river-running trips or the Basic Instruction class plus one other trip. No recommendations are necessary.
Class I Rating: Two trips on Class I or greater rivers. This can be two river-running trips or the Class I Instruction plus one other trip. A Class I recommendation from any one of these trips is necessary.
Class II Rating: Two trips on two different Class II or greater rivers. This can be two river-running trips or the Class II Instruction plus one other trip on a different Class II river. Class II recommendations from the two different Class II trips are necessary. It is also required to complete the Chapter’s Basic Safety and Rescue Course or its equivalent given by an outside-qualified organization.
Class III Rating: Paddlers must participate in five Class III trips on five different Class III rivers. You’ll need recommendations from three of the five different Class III trips.
Class IV Rating: The Class IV River paddler committee uses five criteria (paddling ability, safety consciousness, rescue participation, leadership ability, and judgment) when deciding if a given paddler should be given a Class IV rating. A brief description of the criteria is listed below.
- Paddling Ability. A Class IV paddler can read and safely paddle a Class IV River with only nominal assistance from other Class IV paddlers.
- Safety Consciousness. A Class IV paddler actively looks for potential hazards on a Class IV river and takes appropriate measures to avoid such risks. This includes pointing out potential dangers to other paddlers. In addition, a Class IV paddler assesses a given river, river level, and rapids to determine if it can be run with a reasonable margin of safety and sets up appropriate safety measures (throw bags or persons in a safety boat) accordingly.
- Rescue Ability and Participation. A Class IV paddler actively rescues both persons and equipment either from land or water as appropriate.
- Leadership Ability. A Class IV paddler has the ability to safely lead other paddlers down a Class IV river. Such a person has good people skills (able to effectively work with a wide range of personality types), remains calm and collected when facing difficult situations, and is wise enough to seek the counsel of other strong boaters when faced with a difficult or potentially hazardous situation. In addition, such a paddler is familiar with and aware of the participants’ abilities (in general and for a specific day) on a given river trip.
- Judgment. A Class IV paddler has sound judgment when paddling a Class IV River. Such a paddler exercises respectful caution when faced with difficult or potentially hazardous situations and offers counsel and direction to others on a river trip.
In summary, a Class IV paddler should have the skills to lead a group of seasoned Class IV boaters safely down a Class IV river. Seasoned Class III paddlers have competently paddled a fair number of different Class III to III+ rivers. Rating is achieved by consensus of the Chapter’s current Class IV paddlers. Ready to get started? Check out Canoe & Kayak’s instruction for beginners to experienced paddlers.
Have more questions? Our program volunteers can assist, encourage, and inform you on your paddling way. Explore Canoe & Kayak’s FAQ and email questions to canoekayak@amc-ny.org.