PADDLESPORT SAFETY AND RESCUE

Course Overview

Our Sheltered Water Paddle Safety & Rescue Award is a practical, one-day course designed to equip paddlers with essential safety and rescue skills for flat-water environments.

Open to canoeists, kayakers, and stand-up paddleboarders, this course focuses on realistic, easy-to-apply solutions to common paddling problems. Whether you’re developing your personal skills or preparing to progress further, you’ll leave feeling more capable and confident on the water.

This award is also a pre-requisite for the Paddlesport Instructor Award.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is ideal for:

• Paddlers wanting to improve their personal safety skills

• Those looking to manage common flat-water incidents confidently

• Anyone planning to work towards instructor qualifications

• Canoe, kayak, and SUP paddlers of all craft types

You should already feel confident paddling on flat water and be comfortable swimming in a sheltered water environment.

What You’ll Learn

This hands-on course focuses on practical rescue techniques and safety awareness, including:

• Choosing appropriate clothing and equipment

• Applying safety frameworks to structure paddling sessions

• Contact rescues

• Towing techniques

• Self-rescues

• Deep-water rescues

All skills are practised in realistic scenarios to ensure you can apply them effectively.

What to Expect on the Day

This is a fully practical course, with time spent both on and in the water. Expect an engaging, immersive experience where you’ll actively practise skills rather than just discuss them.

Be prepared for a dynamic day that may involve getting wet.

Entry Requirements

To get the most from this course, you must:

• Be a confident flat-water paddler in your chosen craft

• Be comfortable swimming in sheltered water

How to Prepare

Before attending:

• Ensure you are competent paddling on flat water

• Bring suitable paddling clothing and safety equipment

• Come ready for a practical, hands-on learning experience

Our friendly and experienced instructors will guide participants every step of the way, providing clear instruction, encouragement, and a positive learning environment.We will also provide all necessary personal protective clothing including wetsuits, waterproofs, buoyancy aids and helmets.

What’s not included
Hot drinks and food throughout the course

Check-in details
Please arrive 15 minutes before the course start time

What to bring– Swimming togs & towel
– Footwear for on the water
– Sock that cover your ankles
– 50p for locker

Restrictions
On successful completion of your course you will be asked to sign a health declaration stating that you are not suffering from any physical or mental impairment which has an adverse effect on your ability to properly discharge your duty of care as an instructor. If you are unable to sign the standard declaration, you will be required to complete a medical questionnaire.

Extras
– Accommodation available as an add on

Disclaimers
Price – Package price does not include membership or registration.