Paddlesport Leader Training

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

This award is non-discipline specific in that you can choose what craft you would like to paddle and typically covers leadership skills and the associated personal skills and safety and rescue skills. You will be based in the appropriate sheltered water environment which includes slow moving water and wind effected open water.

Over the two days we will cover all aspects of the syllabus and we will work with you to develop an action plan to support your progression towards successful assessment.

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

E-Learning will take you through some of the key principles behind the British Canoeing Model of Leadership Principles, ensuring Leaders have a basic knowledge of those principles, before undertaking the Paddlesport Leader Award.

Preparation for 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.