Paddlesport Touring Leader Award

On assessment you will be asked to lead a group on both open water in force 4 and a section of moving water that has some grade 2 white water.

Assessments for 2-4 candidates will be run over two days to allow access to the two different environments.

On an assessment candidates will be expected to be able to:

• Paddle their chosen craft at a good standard in the top end of the remit.

• Rescue all craft from their own craft in a variety of environments whilst maintaining good group control.

• Plan and lead an inspirational journey in a way that encourages independence and development of the participants.

• Lead students on open water and simple whitewater at the top end of the remit comfortably.

Prior to an assessment you will be given the opportunity to contact the group members to gather information about their ability, equipment needs and aspirations for the trip. You will be encouraged to plan the day in detail with logistical support from Wild River if necessary.

The leader will be working from their suitably chosen craft and will be assessed leading a group of 4 to 6 paddlers in a variety of craft (including at least one open canoeist, one stand up paddleboarder and one kayaker).

The certificate will not list the craft which the leader was assessed in. It would be best practice for leaders using different craft on future trips to evidence their personal skill and rescue skill with a Performance Award such as the Progressive Canoe Performance Award.

Wild River has scheduled dates for assessment courses. Alternatively, assessments can be booked by individuals on dates that suit. One day assessments for a single candidate may be possible if conditions are appropriate.

Pre-requisites for assessment:

• Prior to assessment all candidates must register with their home nation association (Paddle England, Paddle Scotland, Canoe Wales, Paddle Northern Ireland).

• Full home nation association membership.

• Valid (within 3 years) 2 day First Aid Award recognised by Paddle UK.

• Valid (within 3 years) Safeguarding Training recognised by Paddle UK.

Paddlesport Touring Leaders are qualified to take participants:

• Open water journeys up to 500m from the shore.

• In winds up to but not exceeding force 4 (less than 18mph).

• slow-moving rivers up to and including grade 1 which may include the occasional short rapid of grade 2 and simple safe weirs.

• Tidal movement up to 0.5 knots.

This award covers all the open water in the Lake District in appropriate wind and most open water in England and Wales.

River journeys include:

• Easy sections of the river Eden outside the classic white water sections.

• Middle Derwent near Keswick from Derwentwater to Bassenthwaite.

• Upper Derwent from Grange to Derwentwater.

• River Lune below Kirkby Lonsdale.

• River Kent from Burneside to south of Kendal.

Who can I work with?

Paddlesport touring leaders can lead paddlers who need support in the environment in any craft.  They can work with groups in a mixture of craft or in the same craft. They have the experience to decide on the number of paddlers they lead but 6 solo craft or 4 tandem craft would be seen as large groups.