British Canoeing - Paddlesport Touring Leader
Course Dates & Booking
Book Now
To book a place on this course, click on a date above to book and pay for the course, then complete and submit the Booking Form. If the following dates are not suitable, or you want to make a private booking for your club or centre, please get in touch.
Course Overview
The British Canoeing Paddlesport Touring Leader award will enable you to lead mixed craft groups of kayak, canoe and SUP paddlers in moderate open water, up to 500m from the shore in up to and including force 4 winds, as well as leading on grade 1 (2) rivers. It has the broadest scope of the British Canoeing leadership awards.
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Training
Over the two days training, we'll spend a day on the lake looking at mixed craft leadership in the force 4 open water environment, showing you rescue options, simple sailing strategies, and management techniques for open water crossings. We'll spend the other day on moving water, developing river reading, group management skills and rescue techniques in this setting.
Our approach to leadership training is based on years of experience guiding and leading across different disciplines and in many locations across the world. It is not a blow by blow approach of ‘do this on this rapid’ to pass an assessment, but a logical approach to leading, whether on white water or open water, that can be transferred to any environment you lead or paddle on, whether it's your well known local run or a new location to explore. This will allow you to confidently lead paddlers in a safe, fun way whether on an assessment, for work or for play.
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We will ensure you leave the course with a clear understanding of the strengths and limitations of each of the craft you'll be leading, and strategies for managing them. We’ll help you develop techniques for questioning clients prior to setting off for the day so that you can plan the best locations to suit your clients.
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Assessment
As with all new British Canoeing leadership assessments, you can choose to access the assessment directly without formal training. From your chosen craft you’ll plan and lead a mixed group including canoes, kayaks and SUPs on an open water journey on a large lake in force 4 wind and on a grade 1 (2) river. You'll demonstrate your ability to lead the group in an appropriately challenging way for their abilities and aims. We’ll also create opportunities for you to demonstrate that you can rescue all the craft you're looking after in both the river and open water settings.
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Training Prerequisites
We ask that you are happy paddling in the grade 1 (2) environment and that you can comfortably paddle in force 3 wind with some experience of paddling in force 4, so that you can focus on developing your leadership skills. Whilst not an assessment prerequisite we strongly suggest all Paddlesport Touring Leaders and those leading others on moving water have attended a White Water Safety and Rescue (WWSR) course.
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Assessment Prerequisites
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Full, on the water National Association membership. Click here if you live in England, here if you live in Wales and here if you live in Scotland.
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Valid (within 3 years) 2-day First Aid Award recognised by British Canoeing Awarding Body
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Valid (within 3 years) Safeguarding Training recognised by British Canoeing Awarding Body
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Register for the course through your membership portal. Click here for registration guidance
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Course Documents
Further information available from British Canoeing here.
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Kit List
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Your choice of kayak, canoe or SUP
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Paddle
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Spray deck (if kayaking)
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Buoyancy aid
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White Water helmet
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River shoes or old trainers
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Dry suit (available to hire), or cag and dry trousers or wet suit
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Plenty of thermals to wear under dry suit
Please don't buy new items for the course, it is a great opportunity to try different options and make an informed purchase after. If you need any kit advice or to borrow anything, please get in touch before the course. Kayaks, canoes, SUPs and dry suits are available for hire. See our Kit Hire page for pricing.
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Location
We’ll base the course on the rivers and lakes of the Lake District and adjoining Yorkshire Dales National Park. To make the best use of the conditions we’ll choose the venue based on the water levels and wind forecast immediately prior to the course. We'll confirm the meeting point for the first day at least 3 days prior to the course. If you are booking accommodation, Kendal is the ideal spot to base yourself as it provides the best access to the surrounding rivers and lakes.
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What Happens Next?
Once you have completed your training, you’ll leave with a clear action plan for your progression towards assessment. To develop your paddling further, you may be interested in a bespoke coaching session, White Water Safety & Rescue or our Skills Development courses in your relevant discipline. When you are ready for assessment please book on the dates available below.
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Book Now
To book a place on this course, click above to book and pay for the course, then complete and submit the Booking Form. If the following dates are not suitable, or you want to make a private booking for your club or centre, please get in touch.