The SUP Inland Open Water Leader Development Week is a comprehensive five-day programme designed to prepare paddlers for the Paddle UK SUP Inland Open Water Leader qualification. This award is one of the most versatile SUP qualifications, allowing leaders to guide groups on a range of inland water environments, including slow-moving rivers, sheltered coastal stretches, and open water up to 500 metres from an escape point.
Our course will help you develop the skills required to confidently lead SUP trips in these diverse environments. You’ll focus on practical leadership techniques, paddling skills, safety and rescue, and environmental understanding, ensuring that you are fully prepared for both the challenges of inland open water and your assessment at the end of the week.
Over the course of five days, you will work through the essential skills and knowledge required for the SUP Inland Open Water Leader Award.
Key areas of focus include:
The course is based in South Devon, around the River Dart and the South Hams region, which provides ideal conditions for SUP leader training. These locations offer a mix of slow-moving rivers, sheltered coastal waters, and open water stretches, allowing you to practice your skills in varied environments and conditions.
To attend this course, you should:
We bring over a decade of experience training paddlers and coaches in various water sports. Here’s why you should choose us for your SUP Inland Open Water Leader Development:
Whether you're aiming to qualify as a SUP Inland Open Water Leader or simply want to expand your paddling and leadership skills, our development week will give you the tools, confidence, and knowledge to succeed.
This course is designed for experienced SUP paddlers who are looking to lead groups on inland and sheltered coastal waters. It is ideal for those aiming to achieve the Paddle UK SUP Inland Open Water Leader qualification. If you are confident paddling on slow-moving rivers, open water, and sheltered coastal stretches, this course will help you develop the necessary leadership, rescue, and decision-making skills to lead others in these environments.
Yes, you should have prior experience paddling a SUP in a variety of water environments, including slow-moving rivers and open water. While you don’t need to be an expert, you should be confident in your paddling abilities and comfortable managing your board in different conditions.
The Paddle UK SUP Inland Open Water Leader assessment is a formal evaluation of your leadership, paddling, and rescue skills. During the assessment, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to lead a group in inland and open water environments, manage safety, and perform essential rescue techniques. The assessment is available for an additional £125 and can be taken at the end of the week if you are ready.
No, the formal assessment is not included in the course fee. However, you can take the Paddle UK SUP Inland Open Water Leader assessment at a discounted rate of £125, payable separately at the end of the week if you meet the required standards. We will provide feedback throughout the course to help you gauge your readiness for the assessment.
The course covers a wide range of skills, including:
You’ll need to bring your own SUP and paddling gear, including:
Please ensure your equipment is in good condition and suitable for the varied conditions you’ll encounter during the course.
The course typically runs from 9am-5pm each day. Mornings usually focus on paddling skills and rescue techniques, while afternoons are dedicated to leadership practice, group management, and environmental awareness exercises. Each day concludes with a debrief session to review progress and provide feedback. The schedule may vary depending on weather conditions and water levels.
The course is based in South Devon, primarily around the River Dart and the South Hams region. These areas offer a variety of inland water environments, including slow-moving rivers, sheltered coastal waters, and open water, providing the ideal training ground for the SUP Inland Open Water Leader qualification.
We monitor weather and water conditions closely to ensure a safe learning environment. If conditions are unsuitable for a specific activity or location, we’ll move to an alternative site or adjust the schedule accordingly. Safety is our top priority, and we ensure that you receive valuable training regardless of weather or water conditions.
Yes, you’ll need to bring your own packed lunches, snacks, and water each day. While there may be opportunities to buy food locally, we recommend that you come prepared to stay energised during long paddling sessions.
No, accommodation is not included in the course fee. However, we can recommend local lodging options such as bunkhouses, lodges, or campsites near the course location. Many participants choose to share accommodation to keep costs down, and we can help coordinate this if needed.
Yes, throughout the course you’ll receive continuous feedback from our experienced instructors, including Andrew. This personalised coaching will help you refine your paddling, leadership, and rescue skills. By day 4, we’ll provide an honest assessment of your readiness for the formal Paddle UK SUP Inland Open Water Leader assessment.
You should have a reasonable level of fitness to complete this course, as it involves paddling in a variety of conditions, some of which can be physically demanding. You’ll also participate in rescue drills, which require moderate physical exertion. If you have concerns about your fitness level, feel free to contact us before booking.
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Buckfastleigh, Devon
Uitgevoerd door ABC Kayaking, een partner van adventuro.
