Paddle Awards

Paddle Awards

The Paddle Awards are for those getting into a boat for the first time, enabling them to feel confident in their chosen craft in a sheltered water environment. The awards help empower the paddler, enabling them to start their lifelong journey into paddlesport.

Paddle Awards Overview

Minimum Age

Open to all ages.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites. Learners can select the award best suited to their needs.

Course Length

No set time, depends on the individuals development.

eLearning

To deliver the awards, Instructors, Coaches, Leaders, Bell Boat Helms and Raft Guides can complete the Provider eLearning.

Course Documents

To view the associated documents for the course, please click here.

Registration

No registration needed.

Find a Course

Visit your Delivery Centre website to find a course near you:

There are three Paddle Awards to choose from:

Paddle Start
Your first time on the water ‘having a go’! A fun and enjoyable practical session, introducing you to paddlesport.

Paddle Start (1.0 MiB, 16,335 hits)

Paddle Discover
Taking you on the next steps towards becoming an independent paddler, for a fun and safe time on the water. Developing an understanding of the factors which affect your paddling; developing your decision making and practical skills, giving you confidence on the water.

Paddle Discover (961.5 KiB, 19,516 hits)

Paddle Explore
Your Explore Award gives you ownership; allowing you to choose where you move next in the world of paddlesport.

Paddle Explore (810.7 KiB, 19,703 hits)

Become a Provider

If you’re interested in delivering the Paddle Awards, the Personal Performance Awards Provider eLearning is designed to support Providers with the delivery of the Paddle Awards. The activities will give a range of information about how Providers can support paddlers and all the information they need to know about the Personal Performance Awards.

The eLearning costs £15, will take approximately an hour to complete and you will also receive the following upon completion:

10 CPD Points
Logos for your marketing
Provider Pack

The eLearning can be accessed on the Sarola platform here.

Click Here for Video Guidance on Delivering The Paddle Awards

Find a course

To find a course in your area, visit your Delivery Centre website by clicking the relevant logo at the bottom of this page.

Click Here for Video Guidance on Delivering The Paddle Awards

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

Paddlesport Safety and Rescue Course

This course was launched on the 4th January and aims to provide paddlers with the key safety and rescue skills required to operate safely and be able to deal with common problems in a sheltered water environment.

The course content focuses on rescuing from the paddlers specific craft and covers equipment, safety frameworks, as well as a range of rescues such as contact and towing rescues, self-rescues and deep water rescues.

Find out more about this course!

Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor

This course was launched on the 4th January and aims to support Instructors running SUP taster/starter sessions and short journeys in very sheltered water environments.

The 2 day course helps to prepare candidates for their first SUP instructing role, ensuring they are ‘primed and ready’ to deliver safe and enjoyable sessions for people new to paddleboarding, within the safety management systems of clubs, centres or other organisations.

Find out more about this course!

Inclusive Language eLearning

This eLearning was launched on the 11th January and will cover the importance of using inclusive language and the impact it can have on those around you.

This module provides an understanding of key terms, definitions and examples of inclusive language; supports learners on how to identify and tackle inappropriate or exclusive language such as banter and microaggressions; and how to challenge it when it happens.

International Webinars

We have held several International webinars throughout the year the first being Paddling in France which was on 15th February 2023, this was then followed by the United States of America on 15th March 2023 we then had Nepal, Norway and the latest one Austria which was on 21st June 2023.

If any resources were used in the webinar you can now find them on the BCAB Digital Library along with the recording of the webinars. Unfortunately Paddling in Norway wasn\’t recorded so that wont be on the Digital Library.

Manual Handling eLearning

This eLearning was launched on the 31st January and will cover different types of manual handling, how we can consider and manage risk and shows the steps we can take when manual handling to better protect our bodies.

Throughout paddlesport, there are many occasions when we are lifting, carrying and moving craft, as well as performing rescues. It’s essential we reflect on current practice and consider whether we are putting ourselves and others in potential danger of damaging joints and muscles, particularly when moving or lifting equipment or people.