Do you want to introduce people to paddlesport by running fun, engaging taster and starter sessions?

This is the British Canoeing qualification used by outdoor centres, organisations and clubs to support their activity delivery. This is a multicraft award (kayak, canoe, SUP) that allows you to develop your existing skills and passion for paddlesport.

Your trainer will support you through this practical course to inspire adventure for new paddlers. In two days, we cover:

1. How to effectively prepare a group for an activity (e.g. kitting up and getting afloat);
2. Together you will play with a range of activities to engage the group (e.g. games, tasks and journeys);
3. You will explore a range of motivating activities and games that support learning;
4. The tutors will support you to plan ways of using mini journeys to inspire adventure and exploration;
5. You will develop ideas that allow you to help participants learn basic skills;
6. Our tutors will share top tips and quick fixes for common challenges to accelerate learning;
7. You will investigate how to select suitable equipment for participants;
8. You will explore methods of maintaining participants’ safety and develop your understanding of deployment matters.
9. There is an assessment of professional standards, personal paddling skills and rescue skills on day two.

This course is £200 including the British Canoeing post course fees and we ask for a deposit of £50 via this booking form and you will be invoiced for the remaining balance. You will be required to pay for the British Canoeing pre-course fees directly on the British Canoeing portal.

Pre-requisites:

1. Hold a Full (On The Water) British Canoeing National Association Membership
2. Attended a Foundation Safety and Rescue Training course
3. Register your qualification with British Canoeing at least two weeks before attending
4. Feel comfortable in the water and are able to paddle proficiently on sheltered water. Most paddlers undertaking this course have 50+ hours paddling experience to get the most out of their course.

The majority of the day will be spent on, and in, the water so please do make sure that you will be warm, even after a few hours in and out of the water!

Bring your usual boat/board but we’ll have use of others too. We will look at common rescue scenarios for canoe, kayak and SUP, so if you have any kit you like to use for these please bring it. Don’t worry if any of these craft are new to you though.

Bring warm bankside clothing for the morning session, and to change into after the wet session, and over lunch. Even in summer bring a warm coat and hat for afterwards!

Your personal paddling clothing, suitable for plenty of submersion, including buoyancy aid, helmet and spraydeck if you have them or if they are relevant to your craft. Please do make sure you have plenty of warm layers, and either a dry suit, cag and dry trousers, or a good wetsuit, appropriate to the time of year and the water temperature.

Lunch and drinks for throughout the day, particularly a big flask of something warm to drink, and plenty of high energy snacks.

Pen and paper if you like to take notes.

Final information will be released at least 1 week prior to your course.