British Canoeing have just announced a major shake-up of their award system — the long-standing Star Awards are being replaced with a brand-new suite of Personal Performance Awards.
The aim? To make the pathway simpler, more inclusive, and better suited to the way people actually paddle today.
A Fresh Approach to Paddling Awards
For decades, the 1–5 Star system helped paddlers develop their skills and confidence on the water. It was structured, progressive, and a great benchmark — but for many recreational paddlers, it felt a little formal and sometimes too focused on assessment.
The new Personal Performance Awards (PPAs) change that. They’re designed to recognise real-world paddling experience rather than testing it on one specific day.
Each award celebrates your personal development and enjoyment on the water, at your own pace, in your own craft.
The New Structure
There are now three core levels, each focused on personal growth rather than assessment:
🟢 Paddle Start & Discover Awards
The entry point for new paddlers. These awards introduce the fundamentals — understanding your kit, launching safely, and developing confidence on sheltered water.
🔵 Explore Award
Aimed at paddlers who want to venture a little further. It develops decision-making, planning skills, and confidence in varied conditions such as light wind or moving water.
🔴 Personal Performance Awards (by discipline)
Once you’ve found your paddling passion — whether that’s sea kayaking, canoeing, SUP, or white water — you can work towards an award in that specific environment.
These recognise your independence, awareness, and self-reliance while enjoying that environment safely and effectively.
Unlike the old star awards, there’s no pass/fail assessment — your skills are recognised naturally through coaching or observed paddling.
Why the Change?
The new structure reflects the wider paddling community — more diverse, more recreational, and more self-directed than ever.
It allows paddlers to:
✅ Choose the craft and environment they enjoy most
✅ Progress at their own pace
✅ Gain recognition for real, meaningful experience
✅ Build confidence before moving into leadership or coaching pathways
This move makes the sport more accessible and more relevant to the thousands of paddlers who simply love being on the water.
How It Fits with Leadership & Coaching
The Personal Performance Awards now sit alongside leadership and coaching qualifications rather than beneath them.
If you’re looking to progress towards awards like Paddlesport Leader or Coach Award, your PPA provides the foundation — a demonstration that you’re personally competent in your chosen environment.
Our Take at Liquid Logistics
The move to the Personal Performance Awards was a positive step toward making paddlesport more accessible and focused on enjoyment — and that’s something we fully support.
That said, many coaches and paddlers who grew up with the old Star Awards valued the structure and clarity those awards provided. The new syllabuses encourage flexibility and self-guided learning, but they can feel a little open-ended when it comes to the specific skills and standards required.
At Liquid Logistics, we’ve created our own structured syllabus from the Personal Performance Awards — giving our paddlers a clear framework to work through while keeping the spirit of exploration and personal progression that the new system was designed for.
Top Tip
If you’re already working towards a Star Award, don’t panic — your progress still counts!
British Canoeing have set up simple equivalency routes so you can transition into the new structure without starting over.
And if you’re new to paddling, now’s a perfect time to get involved — the awards are easier to access, more relevant, and a fantastic way to track your own development.
Ready to take your next step?
Join us at Liquid Logistics for Personal Performance Award courses in Canoe, Sea Kayak, and White Water.
Learn at your own pace, gain confidence on the water, and enjoy paddling the way it’s meant to be — with purpose, safety, and adventure.
