Canoe Advanced White Water Leader

Course Overview

Want to lead Canoeists on grade 3 (4) white water? The British Canoeing Awarding Body (BCAB) Canoe Advanced White Water Leader course is the one for you. A step up from the Canoe White Water Leader qualification, an Canoe Advanced White Water Leader has the ability to lead a group safely and effectively on grade 3(4) rivers, from remote trips to classic paddles. As with all new BCAB leadership assessments, you can choose to access the assessment directly without prior formal training, however we can offer a range of training to not only get you ready for assessment but develop your white water paddling.

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Training 

We run official BCAB / PaddleUK Canoe Advanced White Water training courses over two days or as part of out Advanced Canoe Leader weeks and can arrange bespoke training, either 1:1 for your individual needs or as a closed course for your centre or group. 

 

Our approach to leadership training is based on years of experience guiding and leading across different disciplines, in many locations across the world. It is not a blow-by-blow approach of ‘do this on this rapid’ to pass an assessment, but a logical approach to leading on white water that can be transferred to any river you lead or paddle on, whether it's your well-known local run, or a new river you are exploring. This will allow you to confidently lead paddlers in a safe, fun way on great sections of rivers, whether on an assessment, for work or play. With two decades of experience leading in advanced white water we have loads of tips and tricks to pass on.

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We’ll help you break down the features, benchmark them against the abilities of the individual paddlers in your group and coach you to use this information to lead safely and effectively. We will focus on helping you to develop your own techniques for navigating the rapids and we can help you decide what options you'll give your group on the rapids. We'll coach you to develop your own options for making slick, efficient progress down the river with your group. We’ll also recap rescue techniques and ensure you leave the course with a clear picture of your path ahead.

We'll develop slick option for portaging, lining when the risk isn't worth the reward, and look at effective strategies for moving upstream that work in real world applications​

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Training Prerequisites

We ask that you are happy paddling in the grade 3 environment so that you can focus on developing your skills to look after others. Want to up skill your paddling first? Book onto our Canoe White Water Progression courses to develop your paddling. 

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Assessment

Our aim is to create relaxed, supportive and friendly assessments that reflect a real day guiding clients. For your assessment you will plan and lead a day out on grade 3(4) white water that fits the ability of the group you'll be leading for the day. Just lead them in a safe, appropriate and fun way, on a river that suits the group and in a way that fits the individuals you are leading, and that will cover 90% of the tasks. Inevitability there will be a few bits we haven't seen, (i.e trapped paddler or boat), so we’ll ask you to demonstrate your abilities in a clearly defined task.​

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Assessment Prerequisites

• Full, on the water National Association membership. Click here if you live in England, here if you live in Wales and here if you live in Scotland.

• Register for the course through your membership portal. Click here for registration guidance. 

• Valid (within 3 years) 2- day First Aid Award recognised by British Canoeing Awarding Body

• Valid (within 3 years) Safeguarding Training recognised by British Canoeing Awarding Body

• have attended a Canoe Advanced White Water Safety Course

• Minimum age: 16. If you are aged under 18, you will need to be joined by a parent or legal guardian who has also paid to do the course/assessment.

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Course Documents

Further information available from British Canoeing here.

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Kit List

Full personal kit, including:

• Canoe suitably out-fitted for open water, with flotation fitted (your performance will be significantly helped by having a kneeling thwart fitted in the right position)

• Well-fitting white water helmet

• Paddle

• Buoyancy aid

• Dry suit or cag and waterproof trousers

• Thermals

• River shoes or old trainers (not wetsuit boots)

 

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. Canoes and dry suits are available for hire. 

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Location

We’ll base the course on the Lakes of the Lake District. To make best use of the conditions we’ll choose the precise location based on the forecast immediately prior to the course. We'll confirm the meeting point for the first day at least 3 days prior to the course. If you are booking accommodation, Kendal is the ideal spot to base yourself as it provides the best access to the surrounding rivers.

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What Happens Next?

Once you have completed your training, you’ll leave with a clear action plan for your progression towards assessment. To develop your paddling further, you may be interested in a bespoke coaching session or our Lakes Canoe White Water Progression courses. When you are ready for assessment please book on the dates available below.

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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.