Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Canoe Award
This intermediate paddling award is a combined training and assessment course which is designed to develop your personal canoe handling skills and help to develop your judgement and decision making so you have a fun and safe day out on the water.Â
Completing this course will enable you to feel confident in planning and undertaking canoe journeys on the water in winds up to and including Force 3, and on Grade 1 rivers with simple eddy lines.
This award is suitable for those who have some canoe experience and we recommend you complete the Paddle Explore Award before attending this course.
Coaching is provided by our expert team and we provide all the equipment needed for the session; canoes/kayaks/stand up paddle boards, paddles, buoyancy aids, wetsuits, cags and helmets. Alternatively you can bring your own equipment if you wish.
Course information
- Choosing an appropriate paddling venue
- Understanding the weather
- What to wear and what to take with you
- Effectively paddling your canoe - forwards, backwards, sideways, stopping, manoeuvring, and preventing a capsize
- How to enter, cross and exit a simple flow
- Decision making on open and moving water
- How to deal with a capsize: self-rescue and rescue of others
- A variety of canoe journeying techniques including use of a sail and a pole
- You will also go away with lots of ideas and inspiration for your own further development
2 days
- This course runs on two full days from 09:00 to 17:30
Attendees who do not meet the required level to achieve accreditation following the two-day course will be provided with a personal action plan and options to attend a re-assessment.
This course is suitable for:
- Intermediate
There are no formal pre-requisites to attend this course, however it is essential that you are able to swim in paddling clothing. We also recommend you should attend our Explore Paddle Award prior to attending this course. If you are wishing to gain the accreditation from British Canoeing following the course then it is essential that you have a good level of previous canoe experience in advance of attending or have previously attended the Explore Paddle Award.
This course can take place on Grade 1 rivers, subject to appropriate permission.
Through our affiliation with British Canoeing and our partnership with the Canal and River Trust we have access to over 3000km of canals throughout England and Wales including the famous Leeds to Liverpool canal stretching 204km across the North of England. This access not only gives us the opportunity to journey along some of these magnificent waterways but also provides opportunities for courses in beautiful areas.
Most of the large bodies of open water in England are concentrated in the Lake District National Park. These magnificent bodies of water, including the longest and deepest lakes in England, Lake Windermere at 17km long and Wastwater at 74m deep, can be accessed by the public at many locations, however, through our partnership with the Youth Hostel Association we have preferential access to some of the best locations in the lakes. You could even combine any of our courses with a stay at one of 150 YHA hostels spread across England and Wales.
