Paddlesport Leader award

The Paddlesport Leader qualification is suitable for those who wish to lead others on safe and enjoyable trips on sheltered water. As a Paddlesport Leader you can lead a range of mixed craft on journeys on slow moving rivers and areas of open water (up to 200m offshore, winds of up to force 3 and tides of up to 0.5 knots).

Training:

The 2 day training course covers all the required leadership skills, personal skills and safety and rescue skills, with plenty of time for you to practice and develop your skills. At the end we will help you identify an appropriate action plan to support your progress towards a successful assessment. We often run these courses near Totnes, and can bring courses to other suitable locations as required.

Assessment:

The assessment usually takes place over 2 days (or 1 long day) to enable us to assess your skills both on a slow moving river and on open water (both in the sheltered water remit). You will be assessed leading a group of 4-6 paddlers who will be in a mix of kayaks, canoes and paddleboards. You can choose the craft that you wish to be assessed leading from.

By the end of the assessment, you will have to demonstrate knowledge and skills in four areas:

  • Participant focused leadership skills
  • Personal paddling skills
  • Rescue skills
  • Underpinning background knowledge, understanding and experience

 See full details of the qualification and syllabus here.   

Prerequisites prior to booking an assessment:

  • Be a member of  Paddle UK (British Canoeing) (‘full Home Nation membership’)
  • On your Paddle UK membership portal register that you wish to become a Paddlesport Leader
  • Make sure that your paddling skills are of a suitable level (we highly recommend attending our Explore Award course first, course dates here)
  • Make sure that your rescue skills are of a suitable level (we highly recommend attending our Paddlesport Safety and Rescue course as one way of achieving this; dates here)
  • Hold a suitable first aid certificate
  • Minimum age 16

What to bring:
Bring your usual paddling gear and boat and some dry clothes for afterwards. Since we will be spending some time in the water as well as on it a wetsuit or drysuit is very useful if you have access to one!

We will supply:
We will provide a range of kayaks, sit-on-tops, paddleboards and canoes for you to try. If you do not already possess your own paddling kit then we can also supply buoyancy aid, helmet and wetsuit for you.

 

Paddlesport Leader Training course:

Cost: £185

Course dates:

  • 7-8 November 2024
  • 17-18 February 2025
  • 12-13 May 2025

Contact us to arrange your booking or Book now online.

If these dates do not suit, do contact us. It may be possible to arrange additional training courses.

 

Paddlesport Leader Assessments:

To arrange an assessment do please contact us.