Paddlesport Leader Assessment

The Paddlesport Leader Award is aimed at paddlers taking on formal leadership responsibilities in benign, sheltered water environments and aims to support Leaders to run safe, quality, enjoyable trips based on their group’s needs and aspirations.

This one or two-day assessment is to assess you against the criteria for you to lead groups on sheltered water.

Paddlers wishing to complete a Paddlesport Leader Assessment are required to register with their Home Nation before they are able to attend the assessment.

We will look at all aspects of the Paddlesport Leader Award. This Award is non-discipline specific in that you can choose what craft you would like to paddle. You will be based in the appropriate sheltered water environment which includes slow moving water and wind effected open water.

Preparation

Although you do not need to have attended Paddlesport Leader Training prior to assessment, it is important that you take an active role in deciding the appropriate preparation, training and experience that you need prior to presenting yourself for assessment. (see Assessment Guidance Notes).

In order to achieve the qualification you need to show competence in the following elements:

• Participant focused leadership skills 
• Personal paddling skills
• Rescue skills
• Underpinning background knowledge, understanding and experience   

A summary of these areas follows below and further expanded upon in the Paddlesport Leader Assessment Guidance.

British Canoeing have developed an online eLearning resource to support leaders learning and can be accessed using the following link: e-learning