The Paddlesport Leader is aimed at paddlers taking on formal leadership responsibilities in benign, sheltered water environments and aims to support leaders to run safe, quality, enjoyable trips based on their group’s needs and aspirations.

The Paddlesports Leader Award is a great bolt-on course to existing  Paddlesports Instructors (Level One Coaches) to become independent coaches on sheltered water. It is also a stand-alone qualification for competent 3-star standard paddlers  (award not needed) with logged leadership experience to be qualified to lead all lower ability paddlers in any form of paddlesports craft. A great club award.

Paddlesports Leader Training Course

This two-day Training for the paddlesports Leader award is recommended but not essential to take before the assessment. The training course will coach you to standard preparing you for Assesment 

Course Structure

This course is run with a friendly - learning approach. We will be work with you to develop the areas tested in The Paddlesports Leader Award assessment criteria. 

• Personal skills
• Leadership
• Rescue skills
• Incident Management.

This course typically takes place over two days on both Open Water with up to force 3 winds Beaufort and flat moving river. An enthesis on the journey and your organisation is observed. The course assessment expects that you will be using one craft leading  & rescuing people paddling various crafts to include Open Canoes, General Purpose Kayaks, Touring Kayaks and Stand up paddleboards. 

We will also chat with you about your leadership experience of which you need to have logged an effective amount in the given conditions before assessment. 

Bespoke Course

We can organise this course specific to the needs of you or the group. It can be organised for small groups and individuals to take place over shorter or longer days- get in touch 

Remit

On completion, a Paddlesports Leader is qualified to lead all levels of paddlers in any craft including Canoes, kayaks, stand up paddleboards, crew boats and straight running boats on both Open Water with up to force 3 winds (Beaufort), 200m's from shore and flat moving river. There is an emphasis on less able paddlers under the care of a paddlesports leader to be able to learn with handy tips and through doing. 

British Canoeing information

Please click here to see the British Canoeing website and read through the course Guide etc for more information.