Whitewater Leader Training

To book onto this course you will need to show evidence of:

• Recognised first aid award, minimum of eight hours including CPR
• British Canoeing White Water Award (or British Canoeing 3 Star Inland Kayak), or equivalent.
• Evidence of having completed a White Water Safety and Rescue Training course

Previous experience: Provide documented evidence of a minimum of 12 river trips each a minimum of four hours in duration in four different locations. The experience must include at least:

• Six grade 3 river trips as a member of a group
• Six grade 2/3 river trips as an assistant leader

Candidates need to be aged 16 or over at the time of assessment see syllabus notes for further details and restrictions.

Achieving your Whitewater Leader Award is recognition of having the skill level and understanding to lead a group of 4 competent paddlers in appropriate locations up to moderate conditions. The award is an ideal award for those club paddlers who are leading club trips. It is also a pre-requisite to attending your Level 2 Coach Moderate Endorsement. For full details of the  Award syllabus and relevant course guidelines, candidates should visit the British Canoeing Awarding websire - Click HERE  The training will run over two-days and most of the 'on the water' activity will take place in a moderate environment. The course will focus on the following key areas: Application of boat handling skills to the moderate environment such as:

• Efficient forward paddling
• Breaking in and out
• Ferry gliding
• Control on waves and in small stoppers
• Supporting, balancing and rolling

Safety and rescue such as:

• Dealing with a swimmer – i.e. having a range of ways of dealing with a swimmer
• Throwline rescues
• Safety equipment
• Protocol for dealing with an incident, effective team leader
• Rescuing equipment

Safety, leadership and group skills such as:

• Leadership strategies, judgment and decision making
• Safety awareness and risk assessment
• Group control and management
• Use of maps for orientation orientation
• Duty of care and responsibilities
• Selection of suitable kit and equipment

This programme is aimed at those wishing to develop the necessary skills to lead journeys in a moderate environment. The Whitewater Leader Training is a pre-requisite for those Level 2 Coaches wishing to attain their moderate endorsement.

• Whitewater Leader Assessment
• Canoe Open Water Leader (Training)
• Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning

The following list is of equipment we recommend you bring. All essential equipment is available from our extensive stores. We advise you not to rush out and buy kit for the course, but use it as a chance to find out what would best suit your needs.  If you do have any of your own equipment do bring it along, however our staff will be required to vet for suitability any equipment brought such as buoyancy aids and helmets. You should bring the following personal equipment with you: Footwear - wet suit boots, thermal tops, warm outdoor wear (fleece is ideal), hat, gloves, small first aid kit, vacuum flask, personal medication, notebook and pen. Our equipment stores are by far the best around with a stock of over 100 boats from across the range of models so there are plenty to choose from! If you are thinking of buying a boat come along and ‘try before you buy’ and also get unbiased expert advice from our staff on the most suitable equipment for you. Again participants are encouraged to bring any of their own personal equipment so they get the opportunity to be coached using the equipment they are most familiar with.  

The course fee includes kit, equipment, in course transport, coaching, food and accommodation. Course accommodation will be in shared twin ensuite rooms. If you would prefer not to share a room, single occupancy may be available for an additional charge.