Delivering Combined Paddle Safer and SUP Sheltered Water Personal Performance Award at Tallington Lakes

Paddles Up Training has recently caught up with Brad about how their combined Paddle Safer and SUP Sheltered Water Personal Performance Awards. Here’s what they had to say!

In a recent delivery of paddlesport awards, I combined two Paddle UK Awarding Body qualifications—the Paddle Safer Award and the SUP Sheltered Water Award—to create a comprehensive and efficient learning experience for a mixed-ability group of learners.

Participants came with a diverse range of paddling experience:

• Some were completely new to paddlesport, seeking foundational knowledge and confidence on the water.
• Others were qualified paddlesport instructors, using the course as part of their Continued Professional Development (CPD).
• All learners shared a common motivation: to upskill, stay current within the industry, and gain discipline-specific training in stand-up paddleboarding.

Recognising overlapping content and aligned outcomes, I opted to combine the Paddle Safer and SUP Sheltered Water Awards into a single, streamlined program. This approach provided learners with:

• Classroom-based and location-based theory sessions to introduce and consolidate safety principles, environmental considerations, and planning strategies.
• On-water practical sessions, focused on both skill development and rescue techniques.

Delivery took place in ideal upper remit sheltered water conditions—  Beaufort Scale 3 winds, with all activities conducted within 200m of shore. This allowed for realistic, yet controlled, practice environments that matched the remit of the awards.

The training emphasized:

• Core paddling skills and techniques specific to SUP
• Equipment knowledge and setup
• Self-rescue and assisted rescue scenarios
• Decision-making and leadership in group paddling contexts
• Awareness of hazards and environmental factors

The blended delivery ensured that all learning styles were catered to. Ensuring that each participant regardless of prior experience—had the opportunity to develop competence and confidence.

The course successfully met its dual objectives:

• Novice paddlers left with a solid foundation in SUP safety and performance skills.
• Experienced instructors refreshed key competencies and gained exposure to structured SUP-specific content for potential integration into their own coaching practices.

Several learners expressed interest in continuing along the Paddle UK Awarding Body pathway, demonstrating the course’s effectiveness inspiring long-term progression within paddlesport.

By combining the Paddle Safer and SUP Sheltered Water Personal Performance Award into a cohesive course, I was able to deliver an efficient and meaningful experience that addressed the needs of a varied learner group. The course not only promoted technical skill development and safety awareness but also fostered enthusiasm for ongoing participation and professional growth in paddlesport.

This model of delivery has proven effective for both first-time paddlers and experienced instructors, and I plan to continue refining and delivering similar integrated courses in alignment with industry standards and learner needs.