British Canoeing: Advanced White Water Safety & Rescue

Course Overview

The two-day Advanced White Water Safety and Rescue course for kayakers and OC1 paddlers takes on the challenges of the steeper environment that comes hand in hand with advanced white water. It covers accessing and escaping from steep gorges and dealing with vertical pins and entrapments on rock and in stoppers. This course will set you up with the skills needed to look after people in the advanced (grade 4 white water) environment.

 

We will look at chase boating strategies that work in real world settings, swimmer and boat based rescues, and cover technical ropework options for dealing with issues if the time ever arises - all whilst continuing to build on the principles of how to avoid the need for rescues in the first place.

 

Based on two decades experience of paddling and leading on advanced white water around the globe, we bring extra insight and experience into the British Canoeing Advanced White Water Safety & Rescue course. We’ll give you quick fix ’dirty’ tactics for when time is tight and options are limited, alongside the traditional set piece solutions for when there is more time and a larger team on hand.

​

We aim to set up realistic scenarios and tasks to allow you to practice, in context, the skills and techniques we've looked at.

​

Course Prerequisites

• Be able to paddle on grade 3-4 white water

• Have attended a British Canoeing Awarding Body White Water Safety and Rescue Training course (ideally in the previous three years)

• Be a minimum of 16 years of age. Participants aged under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who is also booked onto the course

​

Course Documents

Further information from British Canoeing can be found here.

​

What To Bring With You

Full personal kayaking kit, including:

• A white water specific kayak with front and rear airbags

• Well-fitting white water helmet

• Paddle

• Buoyancy aid

• Spray deck

• Dry suit or cag and waterproof trousers

• Thermals

• River shoes or old trainers (not wetsuit boots)

• Throw line, 4m tape and two carabiners

​

Please don't buy new items for the course, it is a great opportunity to try different options and make an informed purchase after. If you need any kit advice or to borrow anything, please get in touch before the course. Kayaks and dry suits are available for hire. 

​

What happens next?

Join us on our Advanced White Water Leader courses, Best Of The Lake District White Water or Scotland Advanced White Water weeks.

​

Book Now

To book a place on this course, click above to book and pay for the course, then complete and submit the Booking Form. If the following dates are not suitable, or you want to make a private booking for your club or centre, please get in touch.