British Canoeing Awarding Body Qualifications
If you are not sure which is the most appropriate qualification for you, or if you are already working towards qualifications and would like to discuss your progression, please email Laura at adventures@seakayakoban.com or call us on 01631 565 310.
Sea Kayak Award
Course length: 2 days
Cost: £250
Level: Improver – Intermediate
The BCAB Sea Kayak Award endorses your skill, judgment and the decision making required for a successful day on the sea. You will be confident in planning and undertaking journeys on the sea, in winds up to and including force 3 and/or tides up to 1 Knot with proficient skills throughout. Course content covers the BCAB Sea Kayak Award syllabus.
This course is not an assessment, as the ethos of the award is focused on continual development. If conditions are suitable and you meet the standard then you can gain the qualification during this course, but it can also serve as training to help you reach that standard, with you the continuing onwards to gain other skills and finish the qualification at a later date with another assessor.
2025 Dates: 3/4 May, 7/8 June, 30/31 August
Tidal Planning for Sea Kayakers
Course length: 1 day
Cost: £125 including certificates
Level: All levels
This 1-day classroom course covers the fundamentals of tidal planning and navigation for sea kayakers. Course attendance entitles participants to the BCAB Tides and Navigation for Paddlers modules, which are among the pre-requisites for BCAB Sea Kayak Leaders. As there is no practical component participants can be at any stage of their paddling. There is no assessment required in order to obtain the certificates.
Topics covered will include understanding tides and tidal planning, including resources used for information gathering, use of maps, charts and compasses, basic buoyage and use of weather forecasts. There will be the opportunity to put together at least one trip plan.
The course starts at 09.00 and finishes around 17.00. Dates are scheduled to tie in with our BCAB Sea Kayak Leader Training for those wishing to combine the 2 courses.
2025 Dates : 21st March, 27th October
Open Water Crossings
Course length: 1 day
Cost: £125 including certificate
Level: Improver
This classroom-based course aims to provide a clear understanding of the consideration involved in planning and carrying out an open water crossing in a sea kayak.
Weather and tides have a huge influence on sea kayakers, and knowledge of their effects is vital for safe paddling. Although the course is a pre-requisite for the BCAB Advanced Sea Kayak Leader award training, due to it being classroom-based it can be taken by paddlers at any level, though you will require basic knowledge of navigation, tides and tidal planning (covered in the 2-day Practical Navigation course). You will get the opportunity to plan trips during the course, with the support of the instructor ensuring you are confident applying the theory to a specific situation.
This course is not assessed, and attendance will result in eligible students completing the BCAB Open Crossings module (included in course cost).
Dates are scheduled to tie in with our Advanced Sea Kayak Leader training.
2025 Dates: 20th October
Sea Kayak Leader Training
Course length: 2 days
Cost: £250
Level: Experienced
This course provides British Canoeing Awarding Body recognised training, supporting paddlers in their progression to the BCAB Sea Kayak Leader assessment.
The BCAB Sea Kayak Leader award qualifies the holder to lead a group of paddlers on journeys through moderate tidal water, with winds not exceeding Beaufort force 4, swell of up to 1m, and tides of up to 2kn.
The training will cover all aspects of the syllabus, including personal skills, safety and incident management, navigation and of course leadership. We will experience a range of venues and conditions, ensuring aspirant leaders leave with a full picture of their path to assessment.
Paddlers should be at the standard of the BCAB Sea Kayak Award or equivalent before attending this course, though there is no requirement to hold the award.
The course can be combined with the BCAB Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning course running the day before. The CNTP is a requirement in order to progress to Sea Kayak Leader Assessment.
For a full syllabus and further details of the qualification, please consult the British Canoeing Awarding Body website.
The course cost does not include the candidate registration fee, which must be paid directly to the candidate’s Home Nation prior to assessment.
2025 Dates: 22/23 March (full), 27/28 March, 28/29 October
Advanced Sea Kayak Leader Training
Course length: 2 days
Cost: £270
Level: Experienced
This course provides British Canoeing Awarding Body recognised training, supporting paddlers in their progression to the BCAB Advanced Sea Kayak Leader assessment. The BCAB Sea Kayak Leader award was updated in 2021, so please feel free to get in touch to discuss the changes and your individual requirements.
The BCAB Advanced Sea Kayak Leader award qualifies the holder to lead a group of paddlers on journeys through advanced water, defined as anything above 2kn of tide, winds of Beaufort Force 4, or waves of 1m.
The training will cover all aspects of the syllabus, including personal skills, safety and incident management, navigation (including night navigation) and of course leadership. We will experience a range of venues and conditions, ensuring aspirant leaders leave with a full picture of their path to assessment.
Paddlers should be confidently at the standard of the BCAB Coastal Sea Kayak Award or equivalent before attending this course, though there is no requirement to hold the award.
For a full syllabus and further details of the qualification, please consult the British Canoeing Awarding Body website.
The course cost does not include the candidate registration fee, which must be paid directly to the candidate’s Home Nation prior to assessment.
2025 Dates: 4/5 March, 21/22 October
Core Coach Training
Course length: 2 days
Cost: £250
Level: Improver and upwards
The BCAB Sea Kayak Coach is qualified to deliver progressive sessions in their chosen environment.
The Core Coach training represents the first step on the road to qualification. Over the course of 2 days, you will explore different approaches to coaching, develop ways of understanding and enabling learning, and get to grips with some core coaching skills. You will also be supported in evolving your personal coaching development plan to enable you to take your learning into practice after the course.
The training course will cover a mix of practical and theoretical content, supporting candidates to plan, deliver and review their session.
Candidates need to be full members of Paddle Scotland or other Home Nation in order to attend this course.
This course can be completed in any paddling craft, however if you need us to provide a craft other than a sea kayak please get in touch before booking to check what we have available.
For full details of the syllabus and course content please consult the British Canoeing Awarding Body website.
2025 Dates: 10/11 November
Sea Kayak Coach Training (Moderate Water)
Course length: 2 days
Cost: £250
Level: Experienced
The BCAB Sea Kayak Coach is qualified to deliver progressive sessions in the Moderate Water environment, with winds not exceeding Beaufort force 4, swell of up to 1m, and tides of up to 2kn.
The training course will cover a mix of practical and theoretical content, supporting candidates to plan, deliver and review their session.
Before attending the course, candidates will need to hold the following pre-requisites:
– BCAB Coach Award Core Training (or equivalent) completed;
– BCAB Sea Kayak Leader Award;
– full Home Nation membership (not included in course cost).
For full details of the syllabus and course content please consult the British Canoeing Awarding Body website.
2025 Dates: 12/13 March, 12/13 November
Sea Kayak Coach Assessment (Moderate Water)
Course length: 1 day
Cost: £255
Level: Experienced
The BCAB Sea Kayak Coach is qualified to deliver progressive sessions in the Moderate Water environment, with winds not exceeding Beaufort force 4, swell of up to 1m, and tides of up to 2kn.
Assessments are normally run 1:1, and can take place in the candidate’s local waters (travel fee may apply).
Before attending the assessment, candidates will need to hold the following pre-requisites:
– BCAB Coach Award Core Training (or equivalent) completed;
– BCAB Coach Award Discipline Specific Training completed;
– Appropriate First Aid and Safeguarding qualifications held;
– full Home Nation membership (not included in course cost)
– pre-assessment check-in with Home Nation.
For full details of the syllabus and course content please consult the British Canoeing Awarding Body website.
Dates: on demand
Sea Kayak Leader Assessment
Course length: 1 day
Cost: £255
Level: Experienced
This course provides the formal assessment required for those who wish to become a British Canoeing Awarding Body Sea Kayak Leader. Assessments will generally be run on a 1:1 basis, and can take place in the candidate’s local waters (travel fee may apply). The BCAB Sea Kayak Leader award has been updated for 2021, so please feel free to get in touch to discuss the changes and your individual requirements.
The BCAB Sea Kayak Leader award qualifies the holder to lead a group of paddlers on journeys through moderate tidal water, with winds not exceeding Beaufort force 4, swell of up to 1m, and tides of up to 2kn.
Candidates will need to meet the pre-requisites for assessment:
-BCAB Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning certificate or recognised equivalent
– Full membership of Paddle UK Home Nation (not included in course cost);
– Leader registration (not included in course cost);
– Recognised 2-day First Aid training, completed within 3 years;
– Check-in with Home Nation.
For a full syllabus and further details of the qualification, please consult the British Canoeing Awarding Body website.
The course cost does not include the candidate registration fee, which must be paid directly to the candidate’s Home Nation prior to assessment.
Dates: on demand.
Advanced Sea Kayak Leader Assessment
Course length: 1-1.5 days
Cost: £285
Level: Experienced
This course provides the formal assessment required for those who wish to become a British Canoeing Awarding Body Advanced Sea Kayak Leader. Assessments will generally be run on a 1:1 basis, and can take place in the candidate’s local waters (travel fee may apply).
The BCAB Advanced Sea Kayak Leader award qualifies the holder to lead a group of paddlers on journeys advanced tidal water, with winds exceeding Beaufort force 4, swell of over 1m, and tides of over 2kn, including tidal races and overfalls as well as open crossings.
A night navigation exercise forms part of the assessment, and can be completed on the day preceding the main assessment or on the same day depending on mutual arrangement.
Candidates will need to meet the pre-requisites for assessment:
– BCAB Open Water Navigation and Tidal Planning or recognised equivalent
– Full membership of Paddle UK Home Nation (not included in course cost);
– Leader registration (not included in course cost);
– Recognised 2-day First Aid training, completed within 3 years;
– Check-in with Home Nation.
For a full syllabus and further details of the qualification, please consult the British Canoeing Awarding Body website.
The course cost does not include the candidate registration fee, which must be paid directly to the candidate’s Home Nation prior to assessment.
Dates: on demand.
Sea Kayak Coach Training (Advanced Water)
Course length: 2 days
Cost: £270
Level: Experienced
The BCAB Sea Kayak Coach (Advanced Water) is qualified to deliver progressive sessions in the Advanced Water environment, which includes winds above Beaufort F4, waves over 1m, and strong tidal flows including tidal races.
The training course will cover a mix of practical and theoretical content, supporting candidates to plan, deliver and review their session.
Before attending the course, candidates will need to hold the following pre-requisites:
– BCAB Coach Award Core Training (or equivalent) completed;
– BCAB Advanced Sea Kayak Leader Award;
– full Home Nation membership (not included in course cost).
For full details of the syllabus and course content please consult the British Canoeing Awarding Body website.
2025 Dates: on demand
Personal Performance Awards
Course length: as required
Cost: variable
Level: According to award
The BCAB Personal Performance Awards are designed to recognise paddlers’ development and experience. They replace the previous system of star awards.
We are providers of the Paddle Awards (Start, Explore, Discover) and of the Sea Kayak Award, Coastal Sea Kayak Award and Advanced Sea Kayak Award. We offer scheduled dates focusing on the Sea Kayak Award, but it and the other awards can be taken as part of our standard courses as follows, there is a small extra charge to cover the certificate fee. We can also arrange targeted training or assessment days for anyone wanting to spend time focusing specifically on the award.
Paddle Start: Day trips, Introduction to Sea Kayaking (no charge)
Paddle Explore: Introduction to Sea Kayaking, Sea Kayak Confidence Builder
Paddle Discover: Sea Kayak Confidence Builder, Introduction to Rough Water Sea Kayaking
Sea Kayak Award: Introduction to Rough Water Sea Kayaking, Rough Water Skills Development
Coastal Sea Kayak Award: Rough Water Skills Development
Advanced Sea Kayak Award: on demand
Paddlers should be aware that the awards are linked to standards of performance and levels of experience, and require specific sea conditions, so attendance on a course is not a guarantee the award will be obtained.
For full details of the awards please consult the British Canoeing Awarding Body website.
For dates of our courses please check the individual course details.