Why become an Endorsed Guide?
Guide Endorsement is aimed at leaders, who are involved in guiding activity, particularly those working within Adventure Tourism and Commercially.
Your endorsement supports and recognises your experience and that you have developed the skills required to fulfil a guiding role.
- Looking for an Endorsed Guide? Then open the finder right of the screen and choose Find a Guide from the What? dropdown.
You will join a supportive network of leaders, sharing best practice and like-minded ideas, to aid your learning and support paddlers on their journey.
Furthermore, the endorsement is used by paddlers, clubs, outdoor centres and organisations as recognition of your professionalism, knowledge, skills and experience and you are therefore well placed to support their journeys and expeditions.
What does it involve?
The Guide Endorsement supports and recognises the additional skills required when fulfilling a guiding role
You will choose the areas to develop that are most relevant to your guiding role:
- Be part of a supportive network of leaders
- Be able to share best practice and like-minded ideas, to aid your learning and support paddlers on their journeys
- You will ensure you meet minimum standards of deployment
The Guide Endorsement is a healthy and supportive learning experience for all involved. There will be opportunities to further your knowledge and meet like-minded people during the process.
Training to support you becoming an Endorsed Guide
There are 5 optional Guide Modules to support the endorsement. Follow the links to find out more.
Camp Craft and Expedition Skills
Exploring expeditions from day trips to multi day, UK and overseas journeys.
Customer Experience
Throughout this module we explore the customer experience, ensuring your customers are at the centre of your trips and journeys, from planning through to after trip care and satisfaction.
Environment and Sustainability
Firstly we explore the thriving natural environment, looking at ways you can ensure your activities have a minimal impact on the environment. Throughout the module we look at the potential threats and impacts of paddlers to inland and coastal environments, as well as the spread of non-native species.
Leadership
This module is designed to follow on from the leadership principles explored within the British Canoeing Leadership Awards. The module will support you to consider your leadership style, how it impacts on your groups and whether it is always the best strategy. The module explores the influences on leadership behaviour, decision making, as well as challenge versus control.
Trip Planning and Organisation
There are many factors in play over the planning timeframe, some are intangible and cannot be changed like the hazards. Others, like the selection of the team of paddlers, are within a Guide’s control to change and influence.
What are the benefits to becoming an Endorsed Guide?
- Endorsed guides are able to use the British Canoeing Guide Logo on their promotional materials.
- Aspirant Guides and Guides have access to a private area of our chat rooms to discuss issues, and share learnings.
- Exclusive positioning in our web promotions and can have their personal biography appear in our ‘Find A Guide’ lookup.
- From January 2021 Guides will be considered British Canoeing Delivery Partners and will be able to access partner benefits.
Ready to begin?
You can find our more about the Guide Scheme here: British Canoeing Guide Endorsement read the case studies or start your application using the application form.
- Guide - Matt Ellis
Matt takes us through what it takes to become a British Canoeing Endorsed Guide
- Guide - Myles Farnbank
A day in the life of paddlesport Guide Myles Farnbank.
- Guide - Jeff Allen
A day in the life of paddlesport Guide Jeff Allen.
- Endorsed Guide Application Form
Use this form to start your journey to becoming and Endorsed Guide
Go Paddling
Go Paddling Week
Clear Access Clear Waters
Paddles Up Training