British Canoeing Paddlesport Leader Award
The Paddlesport Leader Award is the latest addition to British Canoeing’s existing leadership qualifications and is specifically aimed at people leading others in a sheltered water environment, such as canals, ungraded sections of rivers, estuaries, small lakes and lochs. The Paddlesport Leader Award is designed to support leaders to run safe, quality, enjoyable trips based on their group’s needs and aspirations.
The Paddlesport Leader Award requires a higher level of personal skills and safety/rescue skills than the Level 1 Coach Award; providing further assurance that they have the skills to make and fulfil sound leadership decisions whilst out coaching on the water.
Paddlers wishing to complete a Paddlesport Leader Assessment are required to register with their Home Nation before they are able to attend the assessment. It is advisable to do this at least 2-weeks prior to the assessment date.

Entry requirements
At the point of registration, evidence of the following is required:
- Valid (within 3 years) British Canoeing recognised 1-day First Aid award
- Full Home Nation Association Membership
- Registration Fee: £39
- You must be aged 16 or over at the time of assessment. Note that you cannot be deemed responsible for leadership by law until you turn 18 years of age.Course content
In order to achieve the qualification you need to show competence in the following elements:
- Participant focused leadership skills
- Personal paddling skills
- Rescue skills
- Underpinning background knowledge, understanding and experience