Paddlesport Leader

Course Description

Please note, from 1st May 2025, we will be introducing single craft pathways for the Paddlesport Leader. This exciting development allows aspiring leaders to specialise in canoe, kayak, stand up paddleboard (SUP), or opt for the existing multi-craft pathway.

Looking to lead paddlesport journeys?

• Do you want to lead people from all walks of life on sheltered water?
• Are you a paddler or do you have experience of paddling?
• Do you want to support your club leading mixed craft?

If so, the Paddlesport Leader Award could be for you!

Why become a Paddlesport Leader?

First of all, the Paddlesport Leader Award is open to all paddlers! The award supports your existing skills and enables you to lead fun, safe and enjoyable trips.

Secondly, you can design your own learning journey, using formal and informal opportunities to develop your skills.

Furthermore, this award is used by clubs, outdoor centres and organisations to support their activity delivery on mixed craft. This includes single or tandem craft.

What can a Paddlesport Leader do?

Your award will support you to run safe and enjoyable trips, based on your group’s needs and aspirations. You will lead journeys, on sheltered water, for a range of mixed craft.

As a Leader, you can work independently or be deployed by a club, centre or organisation to lead trips and journeys. The purpose of these trips may be wide ranging from educational experiences, social adventures or trying something new.

You will be able to provide British Canoeing Awarding Body Awards and Training such as:

• Personal Performance Awards – Paddle Start and Paddle Discover.

Note: other experience, training or qualifications may be required. Find out more in our develop skills section.

How should I prepare for the training course?

There are no formal Personal Performance Award or Safety Award requirements to becoming a Paddlesport Leader. However, to get the best from your course you need to feel comfortable in or on your craft and be able to independently paddle on sheltered water. Therefore, we recommend holding the the Paddle Explore Award before booking on your training (or equivalent).

You can look at a Sample Programme here.

How should I prepare for assessment?

There are lots of ways you can prepare for your Paddlesport Leader assessment. It is important that you take an active role in deciding the appropriate training and experience that you need. You could book onto the British Canoeing Awarding Body Paddlesport Leader Training course to support you in developing the required skills. Alternatively, you can choose bespoke learning opportunities to support your development stage.

Leadership eLearning and online Resources

These optional, interactive eLearning package will take you through some of the key principles behind :

• British Canoeing Awarding Body Model of Leadership.
• Leading in unfamiliar environments.
• Leading mixed craft journeys

And provides resources and guides as well as a digital self analysis tool. Find out more!

Registration

The Paddlesport Leader has a formal registration requirement.

LEADERSHIP REGISTRATION

Registration is a process for leaders who are planning to attend a Leadership Assessment course. The purpose of Registration is to confirm you hold all prerequisites, it's quick and confirmation is sent straight to your inbox*.

This should then be shared with the assessor to confirm eligibility for assessment. It also gives you peace of mind that you have everything you need in place and you can focus on enjoying your assessment.

Please do not try to Register unless you hold all prerequisites:

• You need to be at least 16 years of age to register.
• Safeguarding Training (dated within the last 3 years).
• 1 day First Aid (dated within the last 3 years).
• Full National Association Membership.

WHAT DOES REGISTRATION COST?

£42

HOW DO I REGISTER?

• You need to access your membership portal and register through the portal.
• Ensure your record is up to date before you start**.
• Click on the registration tab and follow the on screen instructions.
• For more information you can use our Registration Guidance.

When should I Register?

When you have all of the prerequisites in place

At least 2 weeks before your assessment, this allows us to resolve any issues in plenty of time!

Why do I have to Register?

Your Registration covers:

• Advice, support and guidance
• Registration services
• Provision of Internal Verification
• Provision of digital platforms and resources
• Administering qualifications including e-certificate and digital records
• Enhanced insurance
• For more information you can use our Registration Guidance.

Course Content

There are lots of ways you can prepare for your Paddlesport Leader assessment. It is important that you take an active role in deciding the appropriate preparation, training and experience that you need, before booking your assessment. Informal learning and experience based learning are important for your development as a leader.

Optional Paddle UK Training

British Canoeing Awarding Body Paddlesport Leader Training courses are available to support you in your development of the required skills. These courses will cover all the required leadership skills, personal skills and safety and rescue skills to support your development journey. As this training is delivered by Paddlesport Leader Providers, they are well placed to help you identify an appropriate action plan to support your progress towards a successful assessment. These training courses are usually between 2 and 5 day programmes, with longer courses giving you more time to practice and develop your skills.

Other Training Opportunities

There are lots of experienced leaders who can support you in your development in a personalised and individualised way. For example, in-house training at your club or work-place, working alongside of shadowing other leaders, private tuition or conferences, symposiums and workshops, the list is endless! You could also work with a Paddlesport Leader Provider on an individualised programme as they have explicit knowledge of the award requirements. No matter which development journey you choose, the Paddlesport Leader Assessment Guidance and Skills Checklist can be used as a guide of the skills required.

Course Assessment

We do everything we can to take the stress out of assessments, we are focused on the journey and not the destination. The experience will be safe, engaging and enjoyable, with you at the heart of the process, involving you in as much of the decision making as possible.

By the end of the assessment, you will have to demonstrate knowledge and skills in four areas:

• Participant focused leadership skills
• Personal paddling skills
• Rescue skills
• Underpinning background knowledge, understanding and experience

Help and support ahead of your assessment

Every leader will prepare differently for their assessment, however, you can check your readiness for assessment using:

• The Paddlesport Leader Assessment Guidance – this explains in detail the standard required
• Skills Checklist – can be used to self-profile and check if you’re ready for assessment

If you’re nervous about your assessment and want to make sure you’re ready, why not ask a Paddlesport Leader Provider to check your readiness for assessment?

The Paddlesport Leader journey is personalised to anyone who takes the award and depends on your existing experience. There is optional Paddlesport Leader training, which covers the required leadership skills and associated personal skills, safety and rescue skill. These courses vary between 2 and 5 days, with longer courses giving you more opportunity to practice. Alternatively, you can opt for bespoke training opportunities, for example shadowing at your club or centre, private tuition, symposiums, to up-skill in the areas that you need. The assessment takes place over 1 or 2 days depending on the logistics relating to access to suitable environments. The assessment takes place over 1 or 2 days depending on the logistics relating to access to suitable environments.

Leadership eLearning and online Resources – This optional, interactive eLearning package will take you through some of the key principles behind the British Canoeing Awarding Body Model of Leadership. This is a good refresher of the Leadership principles, at any point on your journey towards becoming a Leader. You also might find it useful to carry out a Self Assessment using Paddle UK's Leader Self Analysis Tool Find All resources here!

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