Our White Water Leader Development Week is an immersive, five-day programme designed for paddlers aiming to develop their leadership and paddling skills in preparation for the Paddle UK White Water Leader Assessment. This course combines personal paddling practice, leadership training, and decision-making exercises in real river environments to ensure you’re fully prepared for the demands of white water leadership. Whether you're fine-tuning your skills or seeking feedback in specific areas, our experienced instructors will support your growth, leading up to your Paddle UK White Water Leader Assessment.
This five-day development week is structured to help you build a comprehensive skill set for leading in white water environments.
The focus areas include:
By the end of the week, you'll have the opportunity to complete your Paddle UK White Water Leader Assessment.
This course is based in the stunning landscapes of Devon and Exmoor, offering ideal river conditions for practicing and refining your white water leadership skills. These regions are known for their variety of rivers, providing a mix of technical features and flow conditions, perfect for both training and assessment.
British Canoeing Membership** (£45): You must have active membership through British Canoeing or a home nation.
We have over a decade of experience training white water guides and coaches across the globe. Our lead instructor, Andrew, is a Paddle UK Level 5 coach with a wealth of knowledge and international experience paddling on Grade 5 rivers.
Here’s why you should choose us:
Whether you're preparing for your Paddle UK White Water Leader Assessment or looking to advance your skills as a paddler and leader, this course offers the perfect balance of expert instruction, real-world practice, and supportive feedback.
This course is designed for paddlers who are preparing to take the Paddle UK White Water Leader Assessment. It is ideal for those who already have some experience in white water kayaking and are looking to refine their personal paddling and leadership skills. If you're ready to take the next step and lead groups in white water environments, this course is perfect for you.
Yes, this course is intended for paddlers with prior experience in white water kayaking. You should already be comfortable paddling on Grade 2/3 water and have basic leadership and rescue skills. If you’re unsure about your skill level, feel free to contact us for guidance on whether this course is right for you.
The Paddle UK (formerly BCAB) White Water Leader Assessment is a formal qualification that certifies your ability to safely lead groups of paddlers in white water environments (up to Grade 3). It assesses your personal paddling skills, leadership, group management, decision-making, and rescue abilities. This qualification is essential for anyone looking to lead professionally or in club settings.
Yes, the Paddle UK White Water Leader Assessment is included in the course fee. Over the five days, you’ll receive training and feedback, and the formal assessment will be conducted as part of the course. This allows you to focus on your development in a relaxed environment without the pressure of a separate assessment day.
You’ll need to bring your own white water kayaking equipment, including:
Please ensure your equipment is in good condition and appropriate for white water paddling. If you have any questions about gear, feel free to contact us before the course.
This course is designed to support you throughout the week, with continuous feedback and guidance. By day 4, we will provide honest feedback about your readiness for the assessment. If you don’t feel ready or we believe you need more time to refine your skills, you can defer your assessment to a later date.
To attend this course and sit for the assessment, you’ll need:
The course takes place in Devon and Exmoor, regions known for their challenging and beautiful white water rivers. The variety of river conditions in these areas provides an excellent training ground for practising leadership and paddling skills in real-world conditions. The specific rivers will be chosen based on current water levels and suitability for assessment.
The course typically runs from 9am to 5pm each day, with a mix of on-water paddling sessions, rescue practice, and leadership training. Each day will conclude with a debrief to review progress and set goals for the following day. The exact schedule may vary based on river conditions, but you can expect full, hands-on training days.
No, accommodation is not included in the course fee. However, we can assist in arranging shared accommodation options like bunkhouses or local lodges if needed. Many participants opt to share accommodation to reduce costs. Please let us know if you’d like assistance with booking or recommendations for places to stay.
Yes, you’ll need to bring your own packed lunches, snacks, and water each day. Given that the course includes full days on the river, it’s important to stay hydrated and fuelled. We recommend bringing plenty of water, energy-rich snacks, and meals to keep you going throughout the day.
Throughout the week, you’ll receive personalised coaching and mentorship from our experienced instructors, including Andrew. We offer continuous feedback on your paddling, leadership, and decision-making skills, helping you identify areas for improvement and preparing you for the assessment. Our goal is to ensure you feel supported and confident in your abilities by the end of the course.
We partner with Rewilding Britain to help protect our natural spaces for future adventures.
All centres are vetted for safety and quality. Your adventure is in good hands with adventuro.
À propos du centre
Buckfastleigh, Devon
Géré par ABC Kayaking, partenaire de adventuro.
Buckfastleigh, Devon
À partir de £550
Newton Abbot
À partir de £220
Dartmouth, Devon
À partir de £449
