What the Role Entails

By becoming a Paddle Explore Award Provider, you will work with paddlers who have begun their journey into paddlesport, supporting them to work towards independence. The award is for paddlers in stable craft on sheltered water.
The Paddle Explore Award is paddler-focused.
At Paddles Up Training we want you to help paddlers take charge of their learning by:
- Supporting your paddlers to become independent.
- Help them know how their progressing and celebrating success.
- Helping your paddlers to be clear ‘what’s next’ for them.
WHAT DOES THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS LOOK LIKE?
As long as you meet the minimum requirements, you can become a provider at any time by completing the following steps:
Complete the Personal Performance Awards Provider eLearning
This fun eLearning guides you by subject, through the design of the awards, why we made those choices and will give you some useful hints and tips.
Development Phase
You do what you need, this might involve:
- Co-delivery of the Paddle Explore Award with other Providers.
- Reflecting on your own development.
- Discussing with your Mentor.
Once you feel ready to run the award independently, the final step will depend on your existing qualifications, in some cases you will be able to straight away! It’s a self managed process.
Alternatively, you may need a Final Recommendation. This must be from a current Paddle Explore Award Provider.
Final Recommendation
You will work with an existing Provider of the Explore Award. When you are both happy you fully understand the Explore Award and the requirements of being a Provider, they will then send us their Final Recommendation. You will then be given the Provider role.
Open the Minimum Requirements tab for more info.
You can find out more in the Final Recommendation Guidance Document.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
You can read more about the Paddle Explore Award here: Paddle Explore Award or read about Ribble Canoe Club who have been running the Paddle Explore Award.
READY TO BEGIN?
Click here to access the Personal Performance Award Provider eLearning and become a Paddle Explore Award Provider. Or use the finder tool to find an existing Provider to work with.
Minimum Requirements
To automatically be able to provide the Paddle Explore Award, you must hold one of the following British Canoeing Awarding Body qualifications:
- BCU Level 3 Coach
- BCAB (UKCC) Level 2 Coach
- BCAB Coach Award
- BCU Level 2 Coach*
- BC (UKCC) Level 1 Coach*
- BC Paddlesport Instructor*
- BC Paddlesport Leader or Touring Leader*
If you hold one of these awards you can work through a personal development plan and when you feel ready approach a Explore Award Provider for your final recommendation.
Once your Personal Performance Awards Provider Recommendation is complete please return it to [email protected] .
In addition, you will need:
- Full National Association Membership
- Up to date Safeguarding training (within last 3 years)
- An appropriate and up to date First Aid qualification (within last 3years)
Further Instructions
There is no application process for becoming a Paddle Explore Award Provider. You just need to complete the eLearning and then, where relevant, ask a current Provider for your final recommendation when you are ready.
If you would like to begin your journey, then the Personal Performance Awards Provider eLearning can be found here.

What the Role Entails
By becoming a Paddle Explore Award Provider, you will work with paddlers who have begun their journey into paddlesport, supporting them to work towards independence. The award is for paddlers in stable craft on sheltered water.
The Paddle Explore Award is paddler-focused.
At Paddles Up Training we want you to help paddlers take charge of their learning by:
- Supporting your paddlers to become independent.
- Help them know how their progressing and celebrating success.
- Helping your paddlers to be clear ‘what’s next’ for them.
WHAT DOES THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS LOOK LIKE?
As long as you meet the minimum requirements, you can become a provider at any time by completing the following steps:
Complete the Personal Performance Awards Provider eLearning
This fun eLearning guides you by subject, through the design of the awards, why we made those choices and will give you some useful hints and tips.
Development Phase
You do what you need, this might involve:
- Co-delivery of the Paddle Explore Award with other Providers.
- Reflecting on your own development.
- Discussing with your Mentor.
Once you feel ready to run the award independently, the final step will depend on your existing qualifications, in some cases you will be able to straight away! It’s a self managed process.
Alternatively, you may need a Final Recommendation. This must be from a current Paddle Explore Award Provider.
Final Recommendation
You will work with an existing Provider of the Explore Award. When you are both happy you fully understand the Explore Award and the requirements of being a Provider, they will then send us their Final Recommendation. You will then be given the Provider role.
Open the Minimum Requirements tab for more info.
You can find out more in the Final Recommendation Guidance Document.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
You can read more about the Paddle Explore Award here: Paddle Explore Award or read about Ribble Canoe Club who have been running the Paddle Explore Award.
READY TO BEGIN?
Click here to access the Personal Performance Award Provider eLearning and become a Paddle Explore Award Provider. Or use the finder tool to find an existing Provider to work with.