Advanced Whitewater Leader Award (Training) – Scotland

The only prerequisite that you must complete prior to this course is the British Canoeing Advanced White Water Safety Training course. To be able to get the most out of your training, we would recommend that you can paddle to the standard of the Advanced White Water Kayak Award. If you have not completed the Advanced White Water Kayak Award assessment and would like to discuss if you have the appropriate skills contact Oisin Hallissey, Head of Paddlesport on 02843722158. Registration with CANI (or another Home Nation) is required prior to attending the course, you should allow at least two weeks prior to your course. If you require assistance on how to register with CANI click HERE. If you are a British Canoeing, Scottish Canoeing or Canoe Wales member you will register through your member portal. If you are a Canoeing Ireland Member contact the CANI office for assistance with registration. The Advanced White Water Leader Training is a prerequisite for those wishing to attain their Advanced White Water Leader Assessment.

Tollymore has been running Advanced White Water Leader training and assessment courses for over 15 years. We base our courses in Scotland to take advantage of the more reliable water levels and the quality of sustained white water available. The Advanced White Water Leader Award is the benchmark of top level performance in leadership, group management and personal skill in advanced white water conditions. It is an appropriate test for paddlers who wish to lead groups of other paddlers on advanced river journeys - grade 3 – 4 white water. This course aims to provide candidates with the skills to safely lead a group in a grade 3 - 4 river environment, develop and apply relevant boat handling skills in a positive learning environment and develop a level of confidence and independence through greater knowledge and understanding of the river environment. A variety of skills will be covered, including:

• Planning an advanced white water trip
• Developing and applying a range of group management strategies and leadership styles
• Boat handling skills in advanced water, staying on line, strategies for making eddies etc
• Getting the best out of water features - Surfing Waves, controlled playing in stoppers
• Develop White Water safety and rescue skills,
• Use of equipment appropriate to this environment, throw bags, slings, chest harnesses etc

These are some of the essential skills required to journey on a river at this level. These skills are relevant to those planning to lead others in this environment. All of these areas will be covered in a practical way during the course and reinforced on the evening sessions, giving you the opportunity to learn from the staff and other course participants alike. Click Here for the award syllabus.

This award is designed to advance your white water skills and your ability to make appropriate decisions for safe days out white water paddling on rivers of grade 4-5. As an Advanced White Water Paddler you will have extensive experience of white water rivers. Your experience will include paddling a wide variety of rivers with different flows, volumes and gradients.

• Step Up Alpine Whitewater Skills

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. Our staff will be required to vet for suitability any equipment such as buoyancy aids, boats and helmets. Please refer to the British Canoe Union web site for full equipment list.

• Suitably equipped boat for grade 4 whitewater inc Airbags.
• Repair kit
• Wet suit/Dry cagoule or dry suit
• First aid kit
• Spare paddle/splits
• Suitable group safety equipment
• White water helmet
• Guide
• Throw Bag & rescue equipment.
• Ability to provide a warm drink
• Personal Medication
• Sling and crab
• Maps of the Area
• Suitable White Water buoyancy aid with chest harness.

Course fee includes equipment, transport to and from Scotland inc ferry and coaching. The course fee does not include food and accommodation or governing body fees.

BCU Coaching Handbook – Published by Pesda Press