Paddle Start Award

 

During this 3-hour course you will experience your first session on the water and learn basic skills that will make your paddling experiences more enjoyable. You will learn things such as what equipment is sutible to use and how to get on and off the water safely. The aim of this course is to give you a level of paddle confidence that will allow you to progress to the Paddle Discovers Award.

 

 At assessment paddlers are required to show skills in any style of kayak or canoe. For more information see the Paddle Start Syllabus and Assessment Notes found at https://www.britishcanoeingawarding.org.uk/download/392/

Prerequisites:
No experience necessary.
Craft:
We give you the opportunity to try out a range of kayaks or canoes including general purpose closed cockpit, play boats and sit on tops.
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Paddle Discover Award

This 2-day course is an introductory course (which replaces the BC 1 Star course) where you will learn the basic skills to paddle a variety of craft. We give novice and complete beginners a comprehensive introduction to the sport. On Days 1 and 2, we look at basic handling skills as well as getting in and out safely and what to do in the event of a capsize.

 

This course will have an informal assessment process giving you the opportunity to show you have reached the required standard of paddling for the Paddle Start. The assessment takes place over one day and includes a journey. At assessment paddlers are required to show skills in any style of kayak or canoe. For more information see the Paddle Start Syllabus and Assessment Notes found at https://www.britishcanoeingawarding.org.uk/download/393/
Prerequisites:
No experience necessary.
Craft:
We give you the opportunity to try out a range of kayaks or canoes including general purpose closed cockpit, play boats and sit on tops.
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Paddle Explore Award

This 2-day course is for intermediate paddlers (which replaces the BC 2 Star course) who already have experience in a kayak and canoe (see pre-requisites below).
Prerequisites:
We recommend that you have completed the Paddle Discover Award (or be of a similar standard) and have completed a journey of 2 hours or more. If you do not have this experience, you might consider one of our Introduction courses. This course includes a relaxed and supportive assessment giving you the opportunity to show you have the required standard of paddling for the Paddle Discover Award. The assessment takes place over one day and includes a journey.
Successful performance at this level indicates that the paddler can use fundamental paddlesport skills on flat water to control the movement of both canoes and kayaks and have an understanding of how the paddle, boat, and water interact.
Candidates must demonstrate evidence of:
  • Paddling two different craft
  • Paddling in two different locations
  • Competing in two paddlesport competitions OR completing two journeys of approximately 2 hours duration.
At assessment paddlers are required to show all skills in both canoe and kayak. Any style of kayak or canoe is permissible. For more information see the Paddle Explore Syllabus and Assessment Notes found at https://www.britishcanoeingawarding.org.uk/download/394/ .
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We hold the British Canoeing Quality Mark and all of our courses meet their high standards.