Paddle UK White Water Leader Assessment
Earn your White Water Kayak Leader Award on a relaxed, low-pressure one-day river adventure leading other paddlers on a safe river trip down in Devon.
Earn your White Water Kayak Leader Award on a relaxed, low-pressure one-day river adventure leading other paddlers on a safe river trip down in Devon.
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White Water Kayak Leader Assessment
Why make it feel like an exam when it can just be a great day out paddling? We’ll head to one of the South West’s classic rivers, cut out the stress, and focus on what really matters—your paddling and leadership.
Our low-key, on-the-water approach is simple: spend the day boating, and if you show the skills to lead confidently on grade II–III white water, along with solid rescue and decision-making, you’ll earn your leadership award.
Since January 2021, the assessment has been streamlined to a one-day, single-candidate format, with your paddling, leading, and rescue skills assessed naturally as the day unfolds.
White Water Kayak Leader Assessment
Why make it feel like an exam when it can just be a great day out paddling? We’ll head to one of the South West’s classic rivers, cut out the stress, and focus on what really matters—your paddling and leadership.
Our low-key, on-the-water approach is simple: spend the day boating, and if you show the skills to lead confidently on grade II–III white water, along with solid rescue and decision-making, you’ll earn your leadership award.
Since January 2021, the assessment has been streamlined to a one-day, single-candidate format, with your paddling, leading, and rescue skills assessed naturally as the day unfolds.
Your most import questions answered
Day 1 Arrival day. Settle into your accommodation and take in the village of Campertogno.
Day 2 Hit the water! After a quick gear review and boat outfitting session, we’ll go for a chilled out paddle on the Sesia. It’ll give us the chance to look at how you’re paddling and find out what you want to work on
Day 3 Today’s a technical skill review and the chance to set some goals for the rest of the week. We’ll head to a more challenging river section and introduce you to some of the key concepts of dynamic river paddling such as angulation, pro-active balance and driving your boat.
Day 4 Today we’ll look at your river awareness. We’ll focus on group dynamics and leadership principles on one of the classics.
Day 5 Boof! Our first real day on the bedrock steeps will give you a real chance to work on your essential techniques and the team’s group dynamics.
Day 6 More of the steeps: another classic pool-drop river and chance to get some photos.
Day 7 Piemonte classic. We’ll head for an all day trip with steep drops, scenic surroundings and world class whitewater. The ideal finish to a perfect week.
Day 8 Departure day: time for a debrief and the end of the course.
The trip will be led by an experienced Gene17kayaking appointed trip leader.
In selecting suitable leaders, we not only look to ensure that they have the relevant qualifications but we also ensure that they have an excellent track record of white water paddling from around the world.
Whilst qualifications and experience are essential requirements, we also make sure that our leaders have the right temperament to lead a trip group comprised of individuals who have a range of previous experience and expectations.
The leader is a vital contributor to the enjoyment and well-being of the trip members and he or she will be there to deal with any unexpected problems. To that end, we aim to provide a leader who will make the trip both successful and enjoyable throughout.
Our leaders hold current wilderness first aid certificates and have experience of dealing with remote river related medical conditions.
We will take a maximum of 6 paddlers on each trip, although the number may well be less than this. With every 3 paddlers we have on the trip, we’ll have a highly experienced Gene17kayaking Teacher/Guide.