Stand Up Paddleboard Tidal Leader

Course Description

Ready to Lead SUP Adventures on Tidal Waters?

Do you love exploring coastlines and estuaries? Imagine guiding others on exciting SUP journeys where you can share your passion for paddling in dynamic tidal environments. If you’re an experienced paddler or looking to take your skills to the next level, the Stand Up Paddleboard Tidal Leader award might be just what you’re looking for!

Why Choose the Stand Up Paddleboard Tidal Leader Award?

• Open to Experienced SUP Enthusiasts: The SUP Tidal Leader award is for confident paddlers who want to safely lead others on coastal and estuary trips. It builds on your existing skills, enabling you to take others out in up to force 3 winds, with no restrictions on tidal movement or flow.
• Tailor Your Learning Journey: Learn on your own terms! You can mix formal courses with hands-on experience, giving you the flexibility to develop skills in the areas that matter most to you.
• Essential Skills in Demand: Coastal SUP adventures are becoming increasingly popular, and organisations, clubs, and outdoor centres need knowledgeable leaders to create safe and exciting trips on tidal waters.
• British Canoeing Awarding Body Qualification: We choose BCAB awards because they have over 40 years of experience, they are a regulated awarding organisation and their qualifications are aligned to the CIMSPA Occupational Standards.

What Can a SUP Tidal Leader Do?

With the SUP Tidal Leader award, you’ll be equipped to guide SUP trips in coastal and estuary settings, prioritising safety and enjoyment for everyone in your group. Trips can range from educational sessions and team outings to pure explorations of tidal environments. Whether working independently or as part of a club or organisation, you’ll have the skills to make each trip memorable.

Additionally, you can provide participants with British Canoeing Awarding Body Awards, such as:

• Paddle Start and Paddle Discover: Personal performance awards that allow others to embark on their SUP journey with confidence.

(Please note: additional training or qualifications may be required. Visit our “develop skills” section for more details.)

How Should I Prepare for the Training Course?

While no specific performance or safety awards are required to begin the SUP Tidal Leader training, feeling comfortable on your board in tidal conditions will enhance your experience. We recommend having the Paddle Explore Award or SUP Sheltered Water Award or a similar qualification before starting, to make sure you feel confident in coastal conditions.

Getting Ready for Assessment

Preparing for your SUP Tidal Leader assessment can be as personalised as your journey. Take charge of your learning by selecting the courses and experiences that best suit you. You can join a British Canoeing Awarding Body SUP Tidal Leader Training course, or arrange tailored learning sessions to meet your unique goals.

Navigation and Tidal Planning Training

You will need to complete be able that you can navigate and plan for tidal movement in your journey planning, you can do this a number of ways:

• British Canoeing Awarding Body Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning (CNTP)
• British Canoeing Awarding Body – Weather, Tides, Surf & Swell and Navigation modules (Available Spring 2025)
• Acceptable alternatives for other awarding organisations e.g RYA (see our full list here)
• Apply for Accreditation of Prior Learning 

Interactive eLearning and Leadership Resources

For added guidance, explore our optional eLearning packages, covering essential principles such as:

• Paddle UK Leadership Model for Tidal Environments
• Strategies for Leading in Coastal Conditions
• Leading Mixed Craft in Tidal Waters

These resources offer digital self-assessment tools, leadership guides, and other supports to help you develop confidence in leading SUP adventures on tidal waters.

Registration

The SUP Tidal 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).
• 2 day First Aid (dated within the last 3 years).
• Weather, Tides, Surf and Swell and Navigation for Paddlers modules/eLearning OR Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning.
• 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 SUP Tidal 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 British Canoeing Awarding Body Training

British Canoeing Awarding Body SUP Tidal 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 SUP Tidal Leader Tutor, 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 SUP Tidal Leader Tutor on an individualised programme as they have explicit knowledge of the award requirements. No matter which development journey you choose, the SUP Tidal 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 SUP Tidal 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 Tutur to check your readiness for assessment?

The Leader journey is personalised to anyone who takes the award and depends on your existing experience. There is optional 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 Awarding Bodie's Leader Self Analysis Tool Find all the resources here!

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