Leadership Training & Assessment Courses

Feeling ready to push your paddling to the next level and start leading groups out on the sea?

Whether it’s for your own personal goals, the club you paddle for or you’re in the outdoor industry, we’re here to help you realise your goal of becoming a leader on the sea.

Not sure what course is at your level?

 

  1. Use this guide by clicking on the level tabs.
  2. Find the tab that describes your level best.
  3. Match your level with the courses available below.

Previous experience required:

None, start here if you haven’t been in a kayak before or only a few times. We will endeavour to find the most *sheltered water* possible.

 

Sheltered Water as defined by British Canoeing:

Areas of open water (e.g. lakes and lochs) where the paddlers are no more than 200 metres offshore and the wind strength does not exceed Beaufort force 3, avoiding the group from being swept/blown out of the safe working area. Slow-moving estuaries (less than 0.5 Knots)

Small enclosed bays, enclosed harbours where there is minimal possibility of being blown offshore, defined beaches with easy places to land throughout, no tide races, overfalls or surf.

 

Previous experience required:

For our level 2 courses, you should have a small amount of previous kayak/watersport experience or at least be fairly water confident. We stay mostly in *sheltered water* but will look to start developing your confidence in small waves and light winds.

 

Sheltered Water as defined by British Canoeing:

Areas of open water (e.g. lakes and lochs) where the paddlers are no more than 200 metres offshore and the wind strength does not exceed Beaufort force 3, avoiding the group from being swept/blown out of the safe working area. Slow-moving estuaries (less than 0.5 Knots)

Small enclosed bays, enclosed harbours where there is minimal possibility of being blown offshore, defined beaches with easy places to land throughout, no tide races, overfalls or surf.

Previous experience required:

For our level 3 courses, you should have a fair amount of experience in a kayak in *sheltered water* – whether it be in a Sit-on-Top, sea kayak or other. At this level, we start to guide you out of *sheltered water* and spend some time in areas of *moderate* sea conditions.

Level 3 courses are often pitched at paddlers looking to obtain their British Canoeing Sea Kayak Award.

Sheltered Water as defined by British Canoeing:

Areas of open water (e.g. lakes and lochs) where the paddlers are no more than 200 metres offshore and the wind strength does not exceed Beaufort force 3, avoiding the group from being swept/blown out of the safe working area. Slow-moving estuaries (less than 0.5 Knots)

Small enclosed bays, enclosed harbours where there is minimal possibility of being blown offshore, defined beaches with easy places to land throughout, no tide races, overfalls or surf.

Previous experience required:

For our level 4 courses, you should have plenty of sea kayak experience, be very comfortable with the use of a spray-skirt and be comfortable with being rescued in flat water.

Level 4 courses are often pitched at paddlers looking to obtain their British Canoeing Coastal Sea Kayak Award and aspirant British Canoeing Sea Kayak Leaders.

At this level, we generally aim to be in sustained *moderate* sea conditions with the possibility of venturing into some low level *advanced* conditions such as gentle tide races and overfalls.

Moderate Water as defined by British Canoeing:

A stretch of coastline with some areas where it is not easy to land but there will always be straightforward land points a maximum of two nautical miles apart. Crossings not exceeding two nautical miles. Up to 2 Knots of tide (but not involving tide race or overfalls). Wind strengths do not exceed Beaufort force 4. Launching and landing through surf (up to 1 metre, trough to crest height).

Previous experience required:

For our level 5 courses, you should have plenty of sea kayak specific experience in *moderate* sea conditions. You should be comfortable with being rescued in *moderate* sea conditions and an ability to roll is desirable.

Level 5 courses are often pitched at paddlers looking to obtain their British Canoeing Advanced Sea Kayak Award and aspirant British Canoeing Advanced Sea Kayak Leaders.

At this level, we are seeking out *advanced* sea conditions, tidal rapids and/or exposed swell.

Advanced Water as defined by British Canoeing:

Any journey on the sea where tidal races, overfalls or open crossings may be encountered and which cannot be avoided; sections of coastline where landings may not be possible or are difficult; sea state 4 and winds above Beaufort force 4; launching and landing through surf (up to 1.5 metres trough to crest height).

 

8 hrs, £120/person

Level 4

Sea Kayak Leader *tidal* Training (British Canoeing)

Learn what it takes to become a Sea Kayak Leader with one of our leadership training courses. You’ll learn how to lead, rescue and master your kayak in moderate sea conditions.

 

British Canoeing Sea Kayak Leader (tidal) Assessment

7 hrs, £120/person

Level 4

Sea Kayak Leader *tidal* Assessment (British Canoeing)

Feeling ready to lead on the sea? We promise to make the assessment environment as organic and stress-free as possible allowing you to focus on providing the best day possible for the people you’ll be leading

 

 

8 hrs, £120/person

Level 5

Advanced Sea Kayak Leader *tidal* Training (British Canoeing)

Learn or refresh the skills you need to pass the British Canoeing Advanced Sea Kayak Leader award with this in depth 2 day British Canoeing endorsed training course. This course does not include the ONTP course needed for assessment.

 

British Canoeing Advanced Sea Kayak Leader (tidal) Assessment

7 hrs, £120/person

Level 5

Advanced Sea Kayak Leader *tidal* Assessment (British Canoeing)

Feeling ready to lead on the sea? We endeavour to make the assessment environment as organic and stress-free as possible allowing you to focus on providing the best day possible for the people you’ll be leading.

 

 

Features

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Small coach to trainee ratios

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Quality equipment

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Dedicated facilities

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Top level coaches