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Paddlesport Leader
Training & Assessment
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Whether you’re polishing up for assessment or building the skills to look after a small mixed-craft group, this page has everything you need: what the award involves, how our days run, what to bring, and how to book.
Develop the practical leadership, decision-making and safety skills to lead inspiring journeys in sheltered water environments. We’ll blend on-the-water coaching with realistic scenarios so you leave confident, calm and assessment-ready.
When & Where
📍 Beaulieu River, Poole Harbour and other sheltered South Coast venues.
📆 Training and assessment dates run year-round.
⏱ 2 day training course, 1 day assessment
💷 £195 per person
How to Book
✅ Check the calendar for live availability and book online
💬 Still unsure? Pop us an email or Whatsapp!
👥 Looking for a private group session?
Get in touch here
Two Pathways
Paddlesport Leader Training
A one-day practical workshop covering leadership tools, group management and rescue systems. Perfect for those building confidence before an assessment.
You’ll look at:
- Trip planning, venue choice & risk management.
- Leading mixed craft groups.
- Positioning, communication & motivation.
- Safety, rescues & towing.
- Incident management and problem-solving.
Paddlesport Leader Assessment
A supportive one-day assessment where you lead a real journey with a mixed group. You’ll be asked to:
- Plan and lead an appropriate route.
- Communicate clearly and keep the group safe.
- Handle simple incidents effectively.
- Deliver an enjoyable day that matches the group’s needs.
Pre-Requisites
- Comfortable paddling in sheltered water for a full day.
For assessment:
- PaddleUK On-the-Water Membership.
- Valid First Aid certificate (min. 1 day, relevant to environment).
- Safeguarding training if working with young people.
- Personal paddling logbook / experience record.
What to Bring
- Your chosen craft (canoe, kayak, SUP, etc) & paddle.
- PFD, helmet (if appropriate), paddling clothing for immersion.
- Safety kit you normally carry (throw/tow lines, belt, etc).
- Food, water, spare warm layers.
Certification & Next Steps
- After training: you’ll get personalised feedback and an action plan.
- After assessment: successful candidates are awarded the Paddlesport Leader Award, a nationally recognised leadership qualification from PaddleUK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions about our discover paddleports sessions? Check out our FAQs to find the answers you need!
Do I need to attent training before assessment?
No — training is optional, but highly recommended. You can go straight to assessment if you feel ready.
What counts as sheltered water?
Lakes, canals, and slow-moving rivers with easy bankside access, or sections of estuaries/harbours with minimal wind and tide influence.
Can my club book this?
Yes, we often run private training/assessments for clubs and centres.
What if the weather is bad?
Safety is our top priority. If weather conditions are unsuitable, we will reschedule your session or provide a full refund.
Have more questions? Feel free to reach out to us directly. We're here to help you embark on your sea kayaking adventure!
Came on the 3 hour sea kayaking introduction. Had a great time, achieved all that I expected and more, always love courses so much more when the instructor's are obviously passionate about what they do.
Had a lovely 3 hour kayak tuition session on the river at Beaulieu today. Ellen, our instructor, kitted us out and went through the basics before getting us on the water. We were a group of 4 adults with little or no experience of kayaks or canoes and Ellen very quickly had us paddling forwards, turning left and right and stopping etc. We were guided along the river, learning about the local wildlife and history of this beautiful setting. A really relaxing experience with an engaging instructor and pretty good weather to boot! Highly recommend!
Great session covered everything we needed to get going, enjoy lots of adventures since then. Instructor Leander was amazing, the session was well paced and so useful!
