Sea Kayak Leader Award

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

• Plan and lead an inspirational journey in moderate water in a way that is participant focused and encourages independence and development of all participants.

• Paddle their sea kayak effectively in the top end of the moderate water remit.

• Execute rescues and solve incidents effectively whilst maintaining good group control.

• Demonstrate their underpinning background knowledge of planning, weather forecasts, access/environmental  and interpreting tidal charts and information.

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 day. You will be encouraged to plan the day in detail with logistical support from Wild River if necessary. The group will have at least 3 participants.

Wild River runs single day assessments with dates on the website. Alternatively 1-1 assessments can be set up on dates that suit the individual.

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.

• Complete a Paddle UK Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning course.

Sea kayak leaders can operate on stretches of coastline with some areas where:

• It may not be easy to land but there should always be straight forward land points a maximum of two nautical miles apart.

• Any sea crossings should not exceed two nautical miles.

• The tidal flow should not exceed 2 knots and not involve tide races or overfalls.

• Wind strengths should not exceed Beaufort force 4.

• If launching and landing through surf the wave face should be less than one metre in height.

Sea kayak leaders can make their own decisions about the size of the group but 6 would be seen as a large group.

This includes many stretches of the UK coastline such as:

• St Bees to Whitehaven on the northwest coast of Cumbria.

• Round the south west coast of Walney Island crossing to Roa Island via Piel Island (on neap tides).

• Porth Dafrarch to Rhoscolyn on the west coast of Anglesey.

• Berwick upon Tweed to Eyemouth on the Northumberland coast.

• Sunderland to South Shields on the Tyne/Tees coast.