We're putting together some blogs on the outdoor qualifications and awards that we offer, to help clarify the pathways for progressing your personal paddling or for entering the outdoor industry as a career. Next up, is a pretty new one - the British Canoeing SUP Coastal Leader! Reach Outdoors is a British Canoeing Delivery Partner and offer a variety of activities and courses throughout the year.

The SUP Coastal Leader is a leadership qualification for paddleboarding in “moderate water” sea conditions. The qualification is run by British Canoeing – the National Governing Body for paddlesports in the UK. It’s pretty similar to the Sea Kayak Leader in conditions remit and pre-requisites, other than it’s for paddleboarding rather than kayaking!

What’s the conditions limit?

The SUP Coastal Leader covers coastal conditions with: 

• up to force 4 (max 18mph) winds
• no more than 1 mile away from an easy landing point (so a maximum of 2 miles between these points)
• up to 2 knots of tidal movement (no tide races or overfalls)
• launching and landing in up to 1m of surf

The award would also allow you to lead on inland open water with winds up to force 4 and no more than 500 metres offshore, but the assessment must be done on a coastal journey.

How do you get the SUP Coastal Leader?

Firstly, there are some optional SUP Coastal Leader Training courses, led by British Canoeing providers, which help you work on your paddling, leadership, safety and rescue skills and help you prepare for your assessment. Other options such as bespoke training or other experience can be used instead for preparation.

Before attending the SUP Coastal Leader Training, you need to have good experience in paddleboarding, ideally in "moderate water" conditions yourself. If you don't already have these skills, you may be able to find a course or guided session. British Canoeing have the SUP Sheltered Water Award which is a great starting point for making independent journeys in sheltered water conditions. You can check out our blog for the SUP Sheltered Water award here (https://reach-outdoors.com/blog/post.php?s=2022-11-03-demystifying-courses-sup-sheltered-water-award).

Then you have the assessment, which is typically one-day, but might stretch to two if the top-end of the conditions is not seen on the first day.

Pre-requisites for the assessment are:

• be aged 16 years or older (*see note below if under 18).
• be an “On the Water” member of British Canoeing in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland (annual membership, currently (as of Jan ’23) £45 for an adult, with discounts for 22 year olds and under, couples and families)
• hold a valid First Aid Qualification (minimum 2-day course)
• hold a Safeguarding qualification (one can be provided through British Canoeing for about £10)
• be registered for the award with British Canoeing (currently £39(as of Jan ’23)) – this is separate to arranging an assessment with a provider
• Have the British Canoeing Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning Award (normally a one-day course) – or equivalent “Accredited Prior Learning” submitted to British Canoeing.

*while you can complete this qualification when aged under 18, you cannot be responsible for a group until you are 18.

It is recommended that prior to assessment, you’ve had some experience in leading groups, so getting some shadowing in with qualified leaders could be beneficial.

What does the assessment involve?

The assessment is comprised of you leading a group of 3-6 paddlers in the top-end conditions required for this award. The paddlers who are part of your group for the assessment must require leading in that environment (I.e. they cannot already hold that award or be competent paddling in those conditions without supervision).

You will need to demonstrate:

• Leadership skills
• Personal paddling skills (including efficient and effective control of the paddleboard at all times, launching and landing safely from a range of entry and exit points to the water)
• Rescue skills
• Suitable knowledge, understanding and experience for the award

The full assessment guidance from British Canoeing can be found HERE.

Before assessment, some providers may request to see a logbook of your paddling/leadership experience to support your knowledge at assessment. 

How we run the course at Reach Outdoors?

At Reach Outdoors, we run a 2-day SUP Coastal Leader Training course, which provides a really sound basis for the award and guidance on areas of development.

We also offer assessments, which are typically 1-day. We can help with finding participants for your group to lead for the assessment or you can provide these yourself. We provide all personal and group kit required for the training and assessment, including any craft you may need.

For dates and prices on our SUP Coastal Leader at Reach Outdoors check out: https://reach-outdoors.com/products/coastal-sup-leader

Further information can be found from British Canoeing here:

https://www.britishcanoeingawarding.org.uk/stand-up-paddleboard-coastal-leader/

Paddles Up Training Guide: https://paddlesuptraining.com/courses/stand-up-paddleboard-coastal-leader/

For further information, or to enquire about other dates, please email info@reach-outdoors.com.

Reach Outdoors is based in the English Riviera. Check out www.englishriviera.co.uk for accommodation providers or other fantastic things to do when you are in the area.