Paddle UK/British Canoeing Awards
The Paddle UK (formerly British Canoeing) Paddle Awards empower the paddlers and recognise their ability to operate competently at different levels, from sheltered to advanced water environments.
Many of our Intermediate and Advanced sea kayak trails link with the Paddle UK (British Canoeing Paddle award training and assessment dates.
Paddle UK ( formerly British Canoeing) Awards (Start, Discover and Explore awards) are great for anyone just starting kayaking and are designed to develop your confidence afloat in sheltered water. We’ll develop your skills and knowledge so you can explore the superb Jersey coastline. Read about these excellent awards.
Email us to arrange Paddle Award training and assessment dates.
Or, book online.
Sea Kayak Award Training & Assessment
The Paddl UK (British Canoeing) Sea Kayak (formally BC 3-Star Sea) award demonstrates that you can now consider yourself an able and improving sea paddler rather than a beginner.
The Sea Kayak Award can be in a sit-on-top or sit-inside sea kayak. Syllabus
At the end of the course, all candidates will receive an action plan.
All equipment and kayak are supplied -if needed-. You are welcome to use your kit and kayak.
Contact Derek for Sea Kayak Training or Assessment Dates
* Our 5-day Intermediate course includes Sea kayak training and the option to be assessed.
Or, you can book one day for an assessment on the last day of the course.
Custom assessment and training days dates can be arranged.
Email Derek for custom dates.
Coastal Sea Kayak
The Paddle UK (formerly British Canoeing) Coastal Sea Kayak (CSK) award is a great way to assess your skills and competence in moderate water without having to lead groups as part of your assessment.
Over five days, we aim to explore Jersey’s fantastic coastline and huge tide range while you tune up your skills.
Paddlers should be at around the intermediate level. (e.g. BC Sea Kayak award). Assessment can be in either a sit-on-top or sit-inside sea kayak.
Drysuits, VHF marine radio, flares and other assessment equipment can be hired in advance if needed.
Add an extra day for the Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning (CNTP) course.
Assessment for the Coastal Sea Kayak Award can be included during the week—if you are paddling at this standard—on our Jersey Kayak Trail or similar 5-day courses, so long as we know in advance. There is an additional charge for the certificate on these courses.
We can also arrange a 2-day Coastal Sea Kayak assessment on custom dates.
British Canoeing Coastal Sea Kayak syllabus
Sea Kayak Leader Training
Note. The Sea Kayak Leader (SKL) award changed in January 2021, and it is no longer necessary for candidates to complete SKL training before your Assessment. Though formal training is not mandatory, if you choose our training course, you will have a great couple of days to develop your practice in a superb location with experienced sea kayak leaders.
Our Sea Kayak Leader training is a great way to prepare for the updated award. During the course, you’ll be able to develop your leadership, paddle skills and incident management in a range of sea conditions with an experienced Paddle UK (British Canoeing) Sea Kayak Leader assessor.
The course will also give you an insight into the Paddle UK (British Canoeing) Leadership Model and what to expect when you book your Assessment.
All participants leave our training course with a detailed action plan to help them become better paddlers and sea kayak leaders. Those who book a Sea Kayak Leader Assessment can also receive mentoring.
Even if you don’t plan to take the Sea Kayak Leader assessment, this course is a great way to develop your sea kayaking knowledge and experience.
Jersey, the island of the tides, has many paddling opportunities. Discover cliffs, caves, Atlantic-facing surf beaches, tide streams, overfalls, and Spring tides of up to 12m.
You can add extra kayaking days, sign up for a 5-day course, be assessed for the Sea Kayak or Coastal Sea Kayak award, or complete the assessment prerequisites: Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning (CNTP) course, First Aid, Safeguarding, and guide modules.
To get the most from the training, you should be able to kayak for 4-5 hours per day in winds of up to force 4 in moderate tidal waters. This may include overfalls, swell, and tidal streams of about 3 knots (or more) off some headlands. You should be kayaking at the British Canoeing 3 Star/Sea Kayak/Coastal Sea Kayak award (or a similar level) and prepared to kayak in moderate water conditions.
Most of our training dates include the option to add the Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning as extra days of training. We also run online BC-approved CNTP courses.
Kayaks and equipment are included in the price.
Fly from UK regional airports to get more time on the water. Jersey also has good connections to European airports via Gatwick and Heathrow.
Learn more about the British Canoeing Sea Kayak Leader award: syllabus.
To help us meet your needs, we ask all participants to complete a Sea Kayak Leader Skills Checklist to meet your specific requirements.
Please see our online booking page or Contact us for dates.
Sea Kayak Leader (Tidal/Moderate Water) Assessment
The Sea Kayak Leader (tidal) assessment demonstrates you have the experience and skills to lead a group of paddlers on short, single or multi-day journeys on the sea in moderate tidal waters.
Note. The Sea Kayak Leader (SKL) assessment changed in January 2021. The award now offers two routes: a tidal and non-tidal waters assessment option. The tidal waters assessment is best for most sea kayakers because it allows you to lead in a broader range of conditions and sea areas.
You can now go directly to assessment without attending a training course. However, I recommend you go straight to the examination only if you already have extensive sea kayak leadership experience. Please read the Sea Kayak Leader Assessment Guidance to learn what the assessment involves.
If you need advice about booking an assessment, please download, complete, and return the Sea Kayak Leader Skills checklist to me.
You can now be assessed in one day, allowing you to book a custom date. Some may find a one-day assessment quite intensive, and I’d only recommend this for experienced paddlers.
We will continue offering a two-day assessment because it allows candidates more time to be evaluated in various conditions.
Jersey has large tides and a coastline with cliffs, surf beaches, caves, rock gardens, and offshore sea kayaking opportunities. This makes the island ideal for sea kayakers who want to incorporate a range of paddling experiences into their assessments.
Fly from regional and European airports (Easyjet, BA, Blue Island) to get more time on the water. There are lots of travel and accommodation options available.
What’s included:
Sea kayaks and paddle kit is included in the price.
Drysuits, VHF marine radio, flares and other equipment can be hired in advance.
Add extra paddle days to prepare for the assessment or complete British Canoeing Guide training modules.
If your Sea Kayak Leader assessment is unsuccessful, you may still qualify for the Coastal Sea Kayak personal performance award.
Custom 1:1 assessment dates can often be arranged. Email Derek.
2024 Dates
Please see our online booking page or Contact us for dates.
Sea Kayak Guide modules
Paddle UK (British Canoeing) Guide module courses are available for all kayakers, so you do not need to be a coach or sea kayak leader. These one-day modules are an excellent way to develop your knowledge.
British Canoeing recognises the Guide Modules as Continuous Professional Development (CPD) (1 module = 18 months CPD).
We offer one-day Paddle UK (British Canoeing) Guide modules;
Camp-craft and expedition skills.
Trip Planning and organisation.
Customer experience.
Details of the content of each module are in the Guide Module Outlines.
Advanced Sea Kayak Leader Training
Note. The Paddle UK (British Canoeing) Advanced Sea Kayak Leader (SKL) award changed in January 2021. You can go directly to an assessment without completing an Advanced Sea Kayak Leader training course. You can also arrange a custom training programme with us. The award now has a tidal or non-tidal waters assessment option.
Though we do not offer the Paddle UK (British Canoeing) Advanced Sea Kayak Leader training course, our Advanced Jersey Sea Kayak Trail 5-day course will enable you to experience paddling in advanced tidal waters around Jersey. If conditions permit, this may include offshore trips and night paddling.
Our Advanced Sea Kayak Courses
Our Advanced Jersey Sea Kayak Trail 5-day course is a great way for sea kayakers to paddle in areas where tide races, headlands, open crossings, swell and challenging coastlines will be encountered. Some use the course to develop their leadership skills (if this is arranged in advance).
Please visit our Advanced courses booking page.
Custom dates can also be arranged. Email, Derek.
Add Extra Days to your Sea Kayak Course
Consolidate your skills and get more experience in sea kayaking in Jersey.
While the sea kayak leader training syllabus can be covered in two days, many paddlers like to add extra days so they have plenty of time to enhance their skills.
You can also add extra courses such as Coastal Navigation and Tide Planning (CNTP), VHF, and First Aid. If these options are not showing on your required dates, email or call me.
Many kayakers select this option to add extra trips to their logbook.
Email Derek for other dates throughout the year.
Sheltered Water Kayak &/or Standup Paddle Board Coach Training
This 2-day Discipline-Specific Sheltered Water Training focuses on HOW to coach discipline-specific skills and WHAT you will be coaching.
The training explores how to coach technical and tactical skills.
The course will help you plan and deliver safe, enjoyable, progressive coaching sessions and explore specifics for coaching.
You can complete this Coach Training using SUP or Kayak or do both SUP and Kayak Coach training. Please tell us which option you want when you book.
Please read the British Canoeing Awarding information for more information about the course.
Phil Hadley is running this training course.
You must complete the online Coach Core training before you attend this Discipline-Specific course. Phil Hadley is offering an online Coach Core course in April.
2024 Sheltered Water Coach Training in Jersey: May 23-24, 0930-1730
No course fees will be refunded if you cancel your place less than 30 days before the course or arrive without the British Canoeing prerequisites.
Read the Coach Award course Guide here.
What skill level do I need? The checklist on page 34 of the Coach Award Course Guide will help you assess your skill level and get the most from this course.
Sea Kayak Coach (Moderate Water) Training
We have teamed up with Phil Hadley, a very experienced Paddle UK (formerly British Canoeing) coach assessor, to run a two-day Sea Kayak Coach Moderate Water discipline-specific training course in Jersey.
Holders of the Sea Kayak Coach (Moderate Water) award have demonstrated their ability to plan, deliver, and review a series of progressive paddlesport coaching sessions in a moderate-water environment.
2024
May 21 & 22. 0930 – 1730
Email Derek to discuss dates for your Moderate Water Training if no dates are showing.
Ensure you read the documents for the Sea Kayak Coach (moderate water) award and have the prerequisites to join the Sea Kayak Coach (moderate water) training course. Remember, you must also register with British Canoeing to join this course.
Phil also runs an online Coach Core module, which is a pre-requisite to attend this course,
Further information about the Sea Kayak Coach (Moderate Water) training, assessment, and coach Core module is on the British Canoeing website.
Fly from the UK and European airports to get more time on the water. Sea kayaks and all equipment can be supplied.
Ensure you read the relevant documents for the Sea Kayak Coach (moderate water).
No course fees will be refunded if you cancel your place less than 30 days before the course or arrive without the British Canoeing prerequisites.
Sea Kayak Coach Moderate Water Assessment
The Sea Kayak Coach Award is for competent paddlers who want to coach sea kayakers.
Course Content.
All candidates need to read and understand the course outline.
Preparation:
Candidates are responsible for ensuring they have the prerequisites.
Read the “Coach Award Assessment day pack” and ensure you have practised all the key elements!
Prerequisites
This one-day assessment is only open to paddlers who have completed the prerequisites:
Note. Coaches who have already completed British Canoeing Awarding Body Coach Training or Assessments with similar content can choose to bypass the Core or Discipline-Specific training if they wish. If you plan to use this option, you must have received approval from British Canoeing.
You must complete several prerequisites before your Sea Kayak Coach Award Assessment. The Coach Award Course Guide provides specific details (and acceptable alternatives).
Here is a summary of the requirements:
- Registration;
- Coach Award eLearning;
- Coach Award Core Training;
- Coach Award Discipline Specific Training;
- Relevant Leadership Award (for this assessment, you need the Sea Kayak Leader (tidal) award).
The following minimum standards of deployment:
- In-date First Aid Training;
- Safeguarding Training;
- Full National Association Membership;
- Aged 16 or over at the assessment time (18 for Advanced Water options).
Once all prerequisites are in place, you need the Delivery Centre’s approval to proceed with the assessment. Further details are available from your Delivery Centre.
You MUST bring the following paperwork to your assessment:
1. Completed Assessment Discussion Task;
2. Logbook of experience;
3. Evidence of your Delivery Centre approval for assessment
You must register for the coach award, giving you access to the e-learning.
Complete the e-learning module; then you can do the online check-in – Phil Hadley (your assessor) needs a copy of the confirmation email.
Complete the Assessment Discussion task – this needs emailing to Phil.
Get your coaching logbook up to date.
You need a couple of willing volunteers to coach on the day of the assessment. Contact Derek if you have difficulties finding any!
The British Canoeing website has several resources to help you do this via their e-Learning pages. You are welcome to contact us in advance for further information and advice.
Contact us to arrange an assessment date. 1:1 assessments are possible.
Notes
Any loaned or hired equipment used on the assessment will be assessed as your own, so ensure you know how it works.
If you combine a training course with an assessment course, it is important to understand that attendance on a training course does not imply that you will have reached the required standard to pass the award at the end of the course. Much depends upon your level of paddle skills and experience. Ensure you have read and understood the syllabus for the relevant awards.
Anyone planning to link the SKL training and assessment within a short time of each course should discuss this before you book.
Leadership Registration (LR) Form. When you book/pay (no later than 14 days before the assessment), you must provide a copy of your completed LR form (for the SKL assessment). If you arrive without a valid LR form, we cannot assess you for the leadership award, and your course fees will not be refunded. If you need advice or assistance, contact us in advance.
No course fees will be refunded if you cancel your place less than 30 days before the course or arrive without the British Canoeing prerequisites.