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Canyoning instructor

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1°. Defining the activity

The canyoning instructor supervises, teaches and animates the canyoning activity for all public and in all types of routes.

Canyonism consists of progressing in a thalweg that can occur in the form of streams, streams, rivers, gorges, with or without permanent presence of water, and which may include waterfalls, cailles, bays and subvertical parts.

Discipline requires progression and crossings that may, depending on the case, involve walking in varied terrain, swimming, jumping, sliding, climbing, de-escalation, abseiling and other rope-oriented techniques.

In accordance with current safety standards and specific techniques related to the variability of the natural environment, the discipline requires suitable equipment, including insulated clothing, descenders, harnesses and protective helmets.

To go further Article 2 of the May 26, 2010 decree creating the "canyonism" designation of the State Diploma of Youth, Popular Education and Sport (DEJEPS) specializing in "sports development."

2°. Professional qualifications

a. National requirements

National legislation

The canyoning monitor activity is subject to the application of Article L. 212-1 of the Code of Sport, which requires specific certifications.

As a sports teacher, the canyoning instructor must hold a diploma, a professional title or a certificate of qualification:

  • guaranteeing its competence in terms of the safety of practitioners and third parties in the physical or sports activity under consideration;
  • registered in the National Register of Professional Certifications (RNCP). For more information, it is advisable to refer to the RNCP website .

Foreign diplomas may be admitted in equivalence to French diplomas by the Minister responsible for sports, after the opinion of the Commission for the Recognition of Qualifications placed with the Minister.

To go further Articles A. 212-1 Appendix II-1, L. 212-1 and R. 212-84 of the Code of Sport.

Good to know: the specific environment

The practice of canyonism, regardless of the area of evolution, constitutes an activity carried out in a specific environment involving the respect of particular safety measures. Therefore, only organizations under the tutelage of the Ministry of Sport can train future professionals.

To go further Articles L. 212-2 and R. 212-7 of the Code of Sport.

Training

DEJEPS specialty "sports development" mention "canyonism"

The DEJEPS mention canyonism is a Level III diploma. It attests to the possession of professional skills essential to the practice of the profession of canyon instructor.

This diploma can be obtained in full through the validation of experience (VAE). For more information, you can see VAE's official website and Article D. 212-40 of the Code of Sport.

Good to know

Specialty "water activities" BPJEPS holders who have chosen the monovalent "canoe-kayak and associated disciplines" designation can supervise canyoning activities up to including V1, A5 and E II. For more information, it is advisable to consult the "canoe-kayak monitor" sheet.

DEJEPS prerogatives

The possession of DEJEPS attests, in the field of canyoning, to the following skills:

  • Design sports development programs
  • Coordinating the implementation of a development project
  • conducting a safe approach to sports and technical development;
  • conduct training actions that take into account all the safety requirements associated with the environment;
  • Contribute to the sustainable management of canyon sites
  • design and coordinate the implementation of development programmes.

To go further Article 3 of the May 26, 2010 decree creating the deJEPS specialty "sports development" designation "canyonism."

Conditions for access to training leading to DEJEPS

The person concerned must:

  • Provide a registration form with a photograph
  • Provide a photocopy of a valid ID
  • If necessary, produce the certificate or certificates justifying the lightening of certain tests;
  • Provide a medical certificate of non-contradictory to sports practice less than one year old;
  • for people with disabilities, provide the opinion of a doctor approved by the French Handisport Federation or by the French Federation of Adapted Sport or appointed by the Committee on the Rights and Autonomy of Persons with Disabilities on the need Develop pre-testing, if necessary, according to the certification.
  • Provide copies of the census certificate and the individual certificate of participation in the Defence and Citizenship Day;
  • If necessary, provide the documents justifying exemptions and equivalencies of law;
  • for a supplementary certificate, produce a photocopy of the diploma authorizing registration in training or a certificate of registration for the training leading to that diploma;
  • justify an experience as a self-reliant canyonery practitioner;
  • be able to justify the completion of twenty-five canyons of a minimum technical level of 3.3.II, five of which are in charge of the technical progression of a technical level 4.4.III in the last five years;
  • Be able to demonstrate technical gestures safely
  • Be able to dive, swim and immerse yourself to retrieve an object
  • pass a 30-minute interview organized by one of the public institutions responsible for providing canyon training on the production of a list of autonomous construction, in the last five years, of twenty level canyons 3.3.II and five technical level canyons 4.4.III;
  • produce the certificate of success of a technical safety test on natural site and workshops, organized by one of the public institutions responsible for providing training for canyoning;
  • produce a certificate of fitness to complete a 50-metre freestyle course with a dive start and recovery of a submerged object at a depth of 2 metres. This certification is issued by a person who holds a certification of aquatic activity supervision in accordance with the requirements of Article L. 212-1 of the Code of Sport;
  • meet the pre-educational requirements:- Be able to assess the objective risks associated with the practice of the discipline,
    • Be able to anticipate potential risks to the practitioner,
    • Be able to control the behaviour and actions to be taken in the event of an incident or accident,
    • be able to justify the construction of six canyons including three canyons with a minimum technical level of 5.3.III including at least one canyon of a 5.3.IV technical level and three canyons with a minimum technical level 3.5.III including at least one canyon of one 3.5.IV,
    • be able to implement an autonomous and safe canyoning session of a minimum technical level of 3.3.II,
    • produce a list of six canyons, including three canyons with a minimum technical level of 5.3.III including at least one canyon of a 5.3.IV technical level and a list of completion of three canyons of a minimum technical level 3.5.III, of which at least one 3.5.IV technical level;
    • set up a canyoning initiation session of a minimum technical level of 3.3.II, followed by a 30-minute interview;
    • produce the certificate of success of the aptitude test on an aquatic course. This certificate is issued by one of the public institutions responsible for providing canyon training.

These requirements can be waived under certain conditions.

Good to know

The public institutions responsible for training in canyoning are the National Ski and Mountaineering School, the CREPS de Franche-Comté, the CREPS of Montpellier Provence Alpes-Côte d'Azur and the CREPS de Voiron.

To go further : decree of 11 April 2003 for the application of Article 7 of Decree No. 2002-1269 of 18 October 2002 for the application of Article 43 of Law No. 84-610 of 16 July 1984 amended relating to the organisation and promotion of physical activities and Sports.

To go further Articles A. 212-35 and A. 212-36 of the Code of Sport; decree of May 26, 2010 creating the "canyonism" designation of the SPECIALty DEJEPS "sports development".

Recycling course

DeJEPS holders are subject to a retraining course every six years.

The canyoning refresher course aims to update the professional knowledge of DEJEPS holders. It lasts a minimum of 24 hours.

It is organized by the institutions responsible for the implementation of the DEJEPS "canyonism".

To go further : decree of June 20, 2016 relating to the content and methods of recycling deJEPS holders specialty "sports development" mention "canyonism.

Costs associated with qualification

Training leading to DEJEPS is paid for. The cost varies by training organization.

For more details, it is advisable to get closer to the training organization in question.

b. EU nationals: for temporary and occasional exercise (Freedom to provide services)

European Union (EU) nationalsEuropean Economic Area (EEA) legally established in one of these states may carry out the same activity in France on a temporary and occasional basis on the condition that it has sent a prior declaration of activity to the prefect of the department of the delivery.

If the activity or training leading there is not regulated in the Member State of origin or the state of the place of establishment, the national must also justify having carried out this activity for at least the equivalent of two full-time years in the in the last ten years prior to the benefit.

European nationals wishing to practise in France on a temporary or occasional basis must have the language skills necessary to carry out the activity in France, in particular in order to guarantee the safety of the activities and its ability to alert emergency services.

To go further Articles L. 212-7 and R. 212-92 to R. 212-94 of the Code of Sport.

c. EU nationals: for a permanent exercise (Freedom of establishment)

A national of an EU or EEA state may settle in France to practice permanently, if he fulfils one of the following four conditions:

If the Member State of origin regulates access or the exercise of the activity:

  • hold a certificate of competency or a training certificate issued by the competent authority of an EU or EEA state that certifies a level of qualification at least equivalent to the level immediately lower than that required in France;
  • be the holder of a title acquired in a third state and admitted in equivalence to an EU or EEA state and justify having carried out this activity for at least two years full-time in that state.

If the Member State of origin does not regulate access or the exercise of the activity:

  • justify having been active in an EU or EEA state, full-time for at least two years in the last ten years, or, in the case of part-time exercise, justifying an activity of equivalent duration and holding a certificate qualification issued by the competent authority of one of these states, which attests to a readiness for the exercise of the activity, as well as a level of qualification at least equivalent to the level immediately lower than that required in France;
  • be holder of a qualification certificate at least equivalent to the level immediately lower than that required in France, issued by the competent authority of an EU or EEA state and sanctioning regulated training aimed at specifically the exercise of all or part of the activities mentioned in Article L. 212-1 of the Code of Sport, consisting of a cycle of study supplemented, if necessary, by vocational training, internship or professional practice.

If the national meets one of the four conditions mentioned above, the qualification requirement required to practise is deemed satisfied.

However, if the professional qualifications of the national differ substantially from the qualifications required in France which would not guarantee the safety of practitioners and third parties, he may be required to submit to an aptitude test or completing an adjustment course (see below "Good to know: compensation measures").

The national must have the knowledge of the French language necessary to carry out his activity in France, in particular in order to guarantee the safety of physical and sporting activities and his ability to alert the emergency services.

To go further Articles L. 212-7 and R. 212-88 to R. 212-90 of the Code of Sport.

3°. Conditions of honorability

It is forbidden to practice as a canyon instructor in France for persons who have been convicted of any crime or for any of the following offences:

  • torture and acts of barbarism;
  • Sexual assaults;
  • drug trafficking;
  • Endangering others;
  • pimping and the resulting offences;
  • endangering minors;
  • illicit use of substance or plant classified as narcotics or provocation to the illicit use of narcotics;
  • violations of Articles L. 235-25 to L. 235-28 of the Code of Sport;
  • as a punishment complementary to a tax offence: a temporary ban on practising, directly or by person interposed, on behalf of himself or others, any industrial, commercial or liberal profession ( Section 1750 of the General Tax Code).

In addition, no one may teach, facilitate or supervise a physical or sporting activity with minors, if he has been the subject of an administrative measure prohibiting him from participating, in any capacity, in the management and supervision of institutions and bodies subject to legislation or regulations relating to the protection of minors in a holiday and leisure centre, as well as youth groups, or if it has been the subject of an administrative measure to suspend these same functions.

To go further Article L. 212-9 of the Code of Sport.

4°. Qualifications process and formalities

a. Reporting obligation (for the purpose of obtaining the professional sports educator card)

Anyone wishing to practice any of the professions governed by Article L. 212-1 of the Code of Sport must declare his activity to the prefect of the department of the place where he intends to practice as principal. This declaration triggers the obtaining of a business card.

The declaration must be renewed every five years.

Competent authority

The declaration should be addressed to the Departmental Directorate of Social Cohesion (DDCS) or Departmental Directorate for Social Cohesion and Population Protection (DDCSPP) of the practice department or the main exercise, or directly in line on the official website .

Timeframe

Within one month of filing the declaration file, the prefecture sends an acknowledgement to the registrant. The business card, valid for five years, is then addressed to the registrant.

Supporting documents

The supporting documents to be provided are:

  • Cerfa 12699*02 ;
  • A copy of a valid ID
  • A photo ID
  • A statement on the honour attesting to the accuracy of the information in the form;
  • A copy of each of the diplomas, titles, certificates invoked;
  • A copy of the authorization to practice, or, if necessary, the equivalency of the diploma;
  • a medical certificate of non-contradictory to the practice and supervision of the physical or sporting activities concerned, less than one year old.

If you have a return renewal, you should contact:

  • Form Cerfa 12699*02 ;
  • A photo ID
  • A copy of the valid review certificate for qualifications subject to the recycling requirement;
  • a medical certificate of non-contradictory to the practice and supervision of the physical or sporting activities concerned, less than one year old.

In addition, in all cases, the prefecture will itself request the release of an extract of less than three months from the registrant's criminal record to verify that there is no disability or prohibition of practice.

Cost

Free.

To go further Articles L. 212-11, R. 212-85 and A. 212-176 to A. 212-178 of the Code of Sport.

b. Make a pre-declaration of activity for EU nationals engaged in temporary and occasional activity (LPS)

EU or EEA nationals legally established in one of these states who wish to practise in France on a temporary or occasional basis must make a prior declaration of activity before the first provision of services.

If the claimant wishes to make a new benefit in France, this prior declaration must be renewed.

In order to avoid serious damage to the safety of the beneficiaries, the prefect may, during the first benefit, carry out a preliminary check of the claimant's professional qualifications.

Competent authority

The prior declaration of activity should be addressed to the Departmental Directorate in charge of Social Cohesion (DDCS) or to the Departmental Directorate in charge of Social Cohesion and Population Protection (DDCSPP) of the department where the declarer wants to perform his performance.

Time

Within one month of receiving the declaration file, the prefect notifies the claimant:

  • or a request for further information (in this case, the prefect has two months to give his answer);
  • or a receipt for a service delivery statement if it does not conduct a qualifications check. In this case, service delivery may begin;
  • or that it is conducting the qualifications check. In this case, the prefect then issues the claimant a receipt allowing him to start his performance or, if the verification of the qualifications reveals substantial differences with the professional qualifications required in France, the prefect submits the claimant to an aptitude test (see infra "Good to know: compensation measures").

In all cases, in the absence of a response within the aforementioned deadlines, the claimant is deemed to be legally active in France.

Supporting documents

The activity pre-report file must include:

  • A copy of the declaration form provided in Schedule II-12-3 of the Code of Sport;
  • A photo ID
  • A copy of an ID
  • A copy of the certificate of competency or training title;
  • A copy of the documents attesting that the registrant is legally established in the Member State of the institution and that he does not incur any prohibition, even temporary, from practising (translated into French by a certified translator);
  • in the event that neither the activity nor the training leading to this activity is regulated in the Establishment Member State, a copy of any documents justifying that the registrant has carried out this activity in that State for at least the equivalent of two years full time over the past ten years (translated into French by a certified translator);
  • one of the three documents to choose from (if not, an interview will be held):- A copy of a certificate of qualification issued after training in French,
    • A copy of a French-level certificate issued by a specialized institution,
    • a copy of a document attesting to professional experience acquired in France.

Cost

Free.

Remedies

Any litigation must be exercised within two months of notification of the decision to the relevant administrative court.

To go further Articles R. 212-92 and following, A. 212-182-2 and subsequent articles and Appendix II-12-3 of the Code of Sport.

c. Make a pre-declaration of activity for EU nationals for a permanent exercise (LE)

Any EU or EEA national qualified to carry out all or part of the activities mentioned in Article L. 212-1 of the Code of Sport, and wishing to settle in France, must make a statement to the prefect of the department in which he intends exercise as a principal.

This declaration allows the registrant to obtain a professional card and thus to practice legally in France under the same conditions as French nationals.

The declaration must be renewed every five years.

In the event of a substantial difference from the qualification required in France, the prefect may refer the qualifications recognition committee to the Minister for Sport for advice. They may also decide to subject the national to an aptitude test or an accommodation course (see below: "Good to know: compensation measures").

Competent authority

The declaration should be addressed to the Departmental Directorate in charge of Social Cohesion (DDCS) or to the Departmental Directorate in charge of Social Cohesion and Population Protection (DDCSPP).

Time

The prefect's decision to issue the business card comes within three months of the submission of the full file by the registrant. This period may be extended by one month on a reasoned decision. If the prefect decides not to issue the professional card or to subject the declarant to a compensation measure (fitness test or internship), his decision must be motivated.

Supporting documents for the first declaration of activity

The activity report file should include:

  • A copy of the declaration form provided in Schedule II-12-2-a of the Code of Sport;
  • A photo ID
  • A copy of a valid ID
  • a medical certificate of non-contradictory to the practice and supervision of physical or sporting activities, less than one year old (translated by a certified translator);
  • A copy of the certificate of competency or training title, accompanied by documents describing the training course (program, hourly volume, nature and duration of internships carried out), translated into French by a certified translator;
  • If so, a copy of any evidence justifying work experience (translated into French by a certified translator);
  • If the training document has been obtained in a third state, copies of the documents attesting that the title has been admitted as an equivalency in an EU or EEA state that regulates the activity;
  • one of the three documents to choose from (if not, an interview will be held):- A copy of a certificate of qualification issued after training in French,
    • A copy of a French-level certificate issued by a specialized institution,
    • A copy of a document attesting to professional experience acquired in France;
  • documents attesting that the registrant was not the subject of any of the convictions or measures referred to in Articles L. 212-9 and L. 212-13 of the Code of Sport (translated into French by a certified translator) in the Member State of origin.

Evidence for a renewal of activity declaration

The activity renewal file must include:

  • A copy of the return renewal form, modeled on Schedule II-12-2-b of the Code of Sport;
  • A photo ID
  • a medical certificate of non-contradictory to the practice and supervision of physical or sporting activities, less than one year old.

Cost

Free.

Remedies

Any litigation must be exercised within two months of notification of the decision to the relevant administrative court.

To go further Articles R. 212-88 to R. 212-91, A. 212-182 and Schedules II-12-2-a and II-12-b of the Code of Sport.

d. Compensation measures

If there is a substantial difference between the qualification of the applicant and that required in France to carry out the same activity, the prefect refers the commission for recognition of qualifications, placed with the Minister in charge of sports. This commission, after reviewing and investigating the file, issues, within the month of its referral, a notice which it sends to the prefect.

In its opinion, the commission can:

  • believe that there is indeed a substantial difference between the qualification of the registrant and that required in France. In this case, the commission proposes to subject the registrant to an aptitude test or an adjustment course. It defines the nature and precise modalities of these compensation measures (the nature of the tests, the terms of their organisation and evaluation, the period of organisation, the content and duration of the internship, the types of structures that can accommodate the trainee, etc.) ;
  • that there is no substantial difference between the qualification of the registrant and that required in France.

Upon receipt of the commission's opinion, the prefect notifies the registrant of his reasoned decision (he is not obliged to follow the commission's advice):

  • If the registrant requires compensation, he or she has one month to choose between the aptitude test and the accommodation course. The prefect then issues a business card to the registrant who has complied with the compensation measures. On the other hand, if the course or the aptitude test is not satisfactory, the prefect notifies his reasoned decision to refuse to issue the professional card to the person concerned;
  • if he does not require compensation, the prefect issues a business card to the person concerned.

To go further Articles R. 212-84 and D. 212-84-1 of the Code of Sport.

e. Remedies

French assistance centre

The ENIC-NARIC Centre is the French centre for information on academic and professional recognition of diplomas.

Solvit

SOLVIT is a service provided by the National Administration of each Member State of the European Union or party to the EEA agreement. Its aim is to find a solution to a dispute between an EU national and the administration of another of these states. SOLVIT intervenes in particular in the recognition of professional qualifications.

Conditions

The person concerned can only use SOLVIT if he establishes:

  • that the public administration of one EU state has not respected its rights under EU law as a citizen or business of another EU state;
  • that it has not already initiated legal action (administrative action is not considered as such).
Procedure

The national must complete a online complaint form .

Once his file has been submitted, SOLVIT contacts him within a week to request, if necessary, additional information and to verify that the problem is within his competence.

At the end of the 10-week period, SOLVIT presents a solution:

  • If this solution resolves the dispute over the application of European law, the solution is accepted and the case is closed;
  • if there is no solution, the case is closed as unresolved and referred to the European Commission.
Supporting documents

To enter SOLVIT, the national must communicate:

  • Full contact details
  • Detailed description of his problem
  • all the evidence in the file (for example, correspondence and decisions received from the relevant administrative authority).
Time

SOLVIT is committed to finding a solution within ten weeks of the day the case was taken over by the SOLVIT centre in the country in which the problem occurred.

Cost

Free.

More information

SOLVIT in France: General Secretariat for European Affairs, 68 rue de Bellechasse, 75700 Paris ( official website ).