British Canoeing - Paddlesport Leader

Course Overview

The British Canoeing Paddlesport Leader qualification looks at leading mixed craft (canoe, kayak and SUP) journeys in the sheltered water environment - up to 200 meters away from shore in up to force 3 winds, and includes slow moving rivers. The Paddlesport Leader is the ideal award if you are looking to lead groups independently for clubs and outdoor centres. You'll paddle your chosen craft, and lead groups of paddlers in a mixture of canoes, kayaks and SUPs.

​

Cumbria has a wide range of excellent locations for Paddlesport Leader journeys, from the sheltered edges of the many lakes to the slow moving lowland river sections that surround the area. 

​

As with all new British Canoeing leadership assessments, you can choose formal training, or access the assessment directly. You will be assessed on your ability to plan, and execute a journey on open water and on a slow moving river where you will lead the clients appropriately for their ability level and aims.

​

Training

We run training courses for Paddlesport Leader Training over two days, spending a day on the lake looking at open water leadership and rescue skills and simple sailing options, and a day on a slow moving river looking at the challenges of leading mixed craft journeys, and how to do so successfully.

​

With years of experience delivering paddlesports sessions across the different disciplines, in a wide variety of venues and environments, we have loads of ideas and fun tasks to help you plan and deliver great journeys for your clients or club members. We’ll ensure you leave the training with a clear picture of your development needs, and a path planned out for you.

​

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 a slow moving river and sheltered open water that fits the abilities of the group you'll be leading for the day. Just lead them in a safe, appropriate and fun way, on a journey that suits the group and in a way that fits the individuals you are leading, and that will cover 90% of the assessment tasks. Inevitability there will be a few bits we haven't seen, (i.e trapped boat or self rescue), so we’ll ask you to demonstrate your abilities in a clearly defined task.

​

Prerequisites

• Be able to confidently paddle your chosen craft in force 3 wind and on a slow moving river with enough head space left to think about new ideas.

• Minimum age: 16. If you are aged under 18, you will need to be joined by a parent or legal guardian on the water at no extra charge

• Valid (within 3 years) 1-day First Aid Award recognised by British Canoeing Awarding Body

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

• 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. 

​​

Course Documents

Further information available from British Canoeing here.

​

Kit List

• Your choice of kayak, canoe or SUP

• Paddle

• Spray deck (if kayaking)

• Buoyancy aid

• Paddlesport helmet

• Footwear 

• Dry suit (available to hire), or cag and dry trousers or wet suit

• Plenty of thermals to wear under dry suit

We can provide all equipment, except wetsuits, if you do not have your own. Please let us know what you need and your size at the time of booking. See our Kit Hire page for pricing.

​

Location

We’ll base the course on the rivers and lakes of the Lake District and adjoining Yorkshire Dales National Park. To make the best use of the conditions we’ll choose the rivers based on the water levels and wind 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 or Ambleside are the ideal spots to base yourself as they provide the best access to the surrounding rivers and lakes.

​

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 PSRC or skills development courses. When you are ready for assessment please see our course dates below.

​

Book Now

To book a place on this course, click on a course 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.