Sea Kayak Leader (tidal)

Course Description

Become a Sea Kayak Leader (tidal)!

• Do you want to lead a group of sea kayakers in moderate tidal water?
• Are you a sea kayaker or do you have experience paddling on the sea?
• Do you want to support your club?

If so, the Sea Kayak Leader (tidal) Award could be for you!

Why become a Sea Kayak Leader (tidal)?

First of all, the Sea Kayak Leader (tidal) is open to anyone with experience of paddling in moderate tidal water with winds not exceeding Beaufort force 4. The award will enable you to lead fun, safe and enjoyable sea kayaking trips for groups of sea kayakers. 

Secondly, you will be supported to develop your personal and leadership skills during two days of training, with like-minded sea kayakers.  

Furthermore, this award is used by clubs, outdoor centres and organisations to support their sea kayak journeys on moderate tidal water. This includes short, single or multi-day journeys. 

What can a Leader do?

Your award will support you to lead safe and enjoyable short, single or multi-day journeys. You will lead sea kayakers with a range of experience on trips based on their needs and aspirations in a moderate tidal water environment with winds not exceeding Beaufort force 4.

As a Leader, you can choose to  work independently or be deployed by a:

• Club
• Centre
• 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 Paddle UK Awarding Body Awards and Training, such as:

Personal Performance Awards – Paddle Start Award, Paddle Discover Award, Sea Kayak Award.

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

HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR ASSESSMENT?

There are lots of ways you can prepare for your 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 Paddle UK Sea Kayak Leader (tidal) Training course to support you in developing the required skills. Alternatively, you can choose bespoke learning opportunities to support your development stage. Find out more on the content tab.

Leadership eLearning and online Resources

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

• Paddle UK 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 Sea Kayak 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.
• Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning (CNTP) or equivalent
• Safeguarding Training (dated within the last 3 years).
• 2 day First Aid (dated within the last 3 years).
• Full National Association Membership.

WHAT DOES REGISTRATION COST?

£40.56

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 Sea Kayak Leader (tidal) 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.

Sea Kayak Leader (tidal) Training

These training courses are usually between 2 and 5 day programmes, with longer courses giving you more time to practice and develop your skills. Typically run over two days, the Paddle UK Awarding Body Sea Kayak Leader (tidal)Training course will support the development of your personal skill level and leadership ability to lead a group of paddlers in moderate tidal waters. The training emphasises the application of a variety of techniques appropriate for exposed open water, requiring the paddler to perform appropriate and effective manoeuvres in real situations. As this training is delivered by Paddle UK Sea Kayak Leader (tidal) Providers, they are well placed to help you identify an appropriate action plan to support your progress towards a successful assessment.

The training covers four key areas:

• Personal paddling skills
• Rescue skills
• Safety, leadership and group skills
• Theory

Formal training is not mandatory, however if you chose to access the training you will have a great couple of days, develop your community of practice as well as make friends and paddle with likeminded paddlers.

As well as the formal training course you could consider other formal training options such as:

• Foundation Safety And Rescue
• Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning
• Personal Performance Awards

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 Sea Kayak Leader (tidal) Leader Provider on an individualised programme as they have explicit knowledge of the award requirements.

Sea Kayak Leader (tidal) Assessment

We believe in assessments for learning and you will definitely learn a lot from your assessment. To find out more, click on the assessment tab.

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.

Typical Assessment

Your assessor will guide you through the stages of arranging your assessment, discussing with you the best times and dates for the assessment, helping you ensure you have a group to lead and the appropriate assessment conditions on the day.

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

• Personal paddling skills
• Rescue skills
• Safety, leadership and group skills
• Theory

Leaders are expected to demonstrate appropriate paddling ability to fulfil their leadership role. The assessment takes place over a typical paddling day, depending on the logistics relating to access to suitable environments you and your assessor my agree a longer assessment.

Help and support ahead of your assessment

• Sea Kayak Leader (tidal) Leader Assessment Guidance – this explains, in detail, the standard required for assessment

  You can look at the Assessment Guidance here.

Leadership eLearning and online Resources – This optional, interactive eLearning package will take you through some of the key principles behind the Paddle UK 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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