Paddlesports Touring Leader Assessment

This British Canoeing Paddlesports Touring Leader assessment can be run in one day on a ratio of 1:1 or 1:2 ratio and you can present on SUP, canoe, closed or open cockpit kayaks. This assessment will be most likely based around the Cairngorms & Aviemore area using Loch Insh and the River Spey down to Aviemore; although we can travel further afield if groups or conditions require us to. The paddlesports touring leader assessment will qualify you to lead multi craft groups on open inland water and slow moving rivers of grade 1 with the occasional short rapid of grade 2 and simple safe weirs. This includes single and tandem craft. On the day you will be expected to lead a group in the appropriate environment for the award which must be seen in the top end of the remit – force 4 winds in open water and the occasional short simple and safe grade 2 rapid on the river.

If you want to lead groups in a paddlesports environment for yourself, your club or employer then this could be the right award for you. The award supports your existing skills and enables you to lead safe, fun and enjoyable trips for a variety of groups and craft. In enviornments of open and moving water: the open water would be in wind not exceeding beaufort force 4 and the rivers would be grade 1 (2). Options for this would be the River Ness & Loch Dochfour where you can put on at Dochgarroch, paddle onto the Loch as a perfect warmup before heading onto the river. From here you can paddle the river Ness down a short way with a weir at the start to tackle or portage as appropriate and 1 grade 2 rapid (fast eddy) before getting out and carrying the boats 20m back onto the canal to paddle back and finish at Dochgarroch where you started. Another option would be Loch Insh and the River Spey

We will meet at 10:00 at the venue – we will confirm this a few days prior depending on weather and river levels but most likely it will be the River Spey and Loch Insh meeting at the church car park. You will meet the mock clients and we will need to do a shuttle to get the vehicle to the end.

During the paddlesports touring leader assessment you will be assessed on the following four areas (all our course providers do their absolute best to take the stress out of the assessment and will keep you fully involved in the process and decision making as much as possible): 

• Participant focused leadership skills.
• personal paddling skills
• rescue skills.
• underpinning background knowledge, understanding and experience.

We are proud to recommend local accommodation options within the area for people when you are up for your Paddlesports Touring Leader Assessment Course:

Aviemore:

Youth Hostel A budget friendly option for people.

Coylumbridge Hotel Aviemroe – good for groups and families alike.

Premier Inn – always a good shout.

Rothiemurchus Campsite – situated in the stunning forest, this is a beautiful budget friendly option.

Glenmore Campsite – situated at Scotland’s highest beach, Loch Morlich has phenomenal views across to Cairngorm Mountain.

Newtonmore & Surrounding Areas:

https://www.wherestagsroar.co.uk/ award winning accommodation in the Highlands – perfect to stay at while up on an outdoor adventure.

Invernahavon Caravan Park – a bit quieter than the others as it is a little further away from the hustle and bustle of Aviemore.

Dalraddy Holiday Park – a family and dog friendly campsite.

Becoming a Paddlesports Touring Leader can be a rewarding and fulfilling decision and is a widely sought after NGB award for various reasons. Here are a few:

If you love paddlesports, becoming a PSTL allows you to share that passion with others. And with the PSTL, you get to do that in a variety of different craft (canoe, kayak, SUP) which is awesome! You get to introduce people to the sport and help them develop their skills and confidence on the water in open water and rivers so it is also a multi purpose award.

Being a Paddlesports Touring Leader can be a great way to work with a variety of people from all walks of life by delivering sessions for your local centre, your own business, your local canoe club or perhaps even helping out a charity. It is one of if not even the most sought after leadership award by employers across the country!

If you enjoy being outside and working in nature, being a Paddlesports Toruing Leader can be a great way to spend your workdays. You’ll get to spend time on the water, enjoying the sun and fresh air while helping others develop their skills in the best office in the world (the great outdoors).

We pride ourselves on providing as much kit as possible for you.  However, the list below is what we recommend you should bring to your Paddlesports Touring Leader Assessment Course:

• Travel insurance. (We are insured for all our trips, but we recommend everyone has their own travel insurance as well.)
• Transportation to the venue. (We may be able to help with this though – if you need transportation please drop us an enquiry and we can see what we can do to help.)
• Lunch, water.
• Personal medication
• Everything that you wish to bring personal kit & boat wise as most people prefer to use their own.

Here at Highland Outdoor Adventures, we pride ourselves on providing as much as we can but you are welcome to bring your own equipment if you do prefer. The list below is what we provide you with for your Paddlesports Touring Leader Assessment.

It is expected normally when sitting awards like this people would come with at least their own personal equipment but we appreciate not everyone may have things yet so we can still supply equipment if needed. We do find that people prefer to use their own.

• Hala SUP’s -The world’s best Stand up Paddleboards – perfect for our Paddlesports Touring Leader Assessment Course- if you need
• Silverbirch Canoes & Zet Kayaks if needed.
• Paddles – if you need
• Wetsuits – if you need
• Buoyancy aids – if you need
• Helmets – if you need
• SUP leashes on a quick release belt.
• Neoprene wetsuit boots – if you need
• Swimshorts to go over the top of wetsuits – if you need
• All instruction & administration fees included.
• All first aid and safety equipment.
• Photographs of the day provided for you at no extra cost! If the weather is good we will have a DSLR professional camera  so we can take photos and videos of your adventure and you can look back at the day for years to come. If the weather is less favourable we will bring a GoPro (as it is waterproof) so we will still be able to take photos for you.
• We will source mock clients for the day but please let us know if you prefer to bring your own.