Surf Kayak Leader

Course Description

Become a Surf Kayak Leader!

• Do you want to lead a group of surf paddlers in moderate surf?
• Are you a surf kayaker or do you have experience paddling in a surf environment?
• Do you want to support your club?

If so, the Surf Kayak Leader could be for you!

Why become a Surf Kayak Leader?

First of all, the Surf Kayak Leader is open to anyone with experience of paddling in moderate surf conditions. The award will enable you to lead fun, safe and enjoyable surf kayaking trips for groups of paddlers. 

Secondly, you will be supported to develop your personal and leadership skills during training, with like-minded surf paddlers. Alternatively, if you have sufficient experience you could go straight to assessment.

This award is also used by clubs, outdoor centres and organisations to support their surf kayak journeys in moderate surf environments. 

What can a Surf Kayak Leader do?

Your award will support you to lead surf kayakers in moderate surf environments. You will lead surf kayakers with a range of experience on trips based on their needs and aspirations. You will be able to judge the conditions and standard of the group and make appropriate decisions on your journey. 

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 Award, Paddle Discover Award and the Surf Kayak Award

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? 

To get the best from your optional training course, you will need to feel comfortable is a surf kayak and be able to paddle in moderate surf environments. We would recommend holding the Progressive Surf Kayak Award before booking onto your training. 

How should I prepare for the assessment?

Before your assessment, you need to attend the Surf Kayak Safety and Rescue. This course will support you to consider safe practices, provide practical solutions to common issues and appropriate responses to incidents, providing peace of mind when venturing out onto the rivers.

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 British Canoeing Awarding Body Surf Kayak Leader 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:

• 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 Surf 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.
• 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

It's your development pathway! You choose if you want to attend formal training courses or develop your personal skills, leadership and safety and rescue, with a mentor or through your Club/Organisation. When you're ready for assessment you are in control. It's your group, your trip and our assessor joins you for the day.

Surf Kayak Leader Training

Typically run over two days, British Canoeing Awarding Body Surf Kayak Leader training courses will support the development of your personal skill level and leadership ability to lead a group of paddlers in a moderate surf environment. The emphasis is on the application of skills in a surf environment, requiring you to perform appropriate and effective manoeuvres in moderate surf.

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.

Surf Kayak Leader 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

Surf Kayak Leaders will need the ability to judge the conditions and the standard of the group and make appropriate decisions. The assessment takes place over a typical paddling day, depending on the logistics relating to access to suitable environments, you and your assessor may agree a longer assessment.

Help and support ahead of your assessment

• The Surf Kayak Leader Assessment Guidance – this explains, in detail, the standard required for assessment.

  You can look at the Assessment Guidance here.

• Leadership eLearning – This optional, interactive eLearning package will take you through some of the key principles behind the British Canoeing Model of Leadership. This is a good refresher of the Leadership principles, at any point on your journey towards becoming a Surf Kayak Leader.

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 British Canoeing Awarding Body's Leader Self Analysis Tool Find All resources here!

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