British Canoeing Qualifications

British Canoeing qualifications are recognised across the world. The ethos behind them is to support paddlers in their progression, with measurable goals based around long-term development. The Personal Performance Awards focus on the paddling skills, building up to greater independence. The Leadership and Coaching awards provide formal, professional-level qualifications, for those wanting to take responsibility for others, either professionally or in a club context.
 
Whether you come to us for training or assessment, we will support you through the process, ensuring you have clear understanding of what you need to achieve and how to work towards that.
 

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.

Practical Sea Kayak Navigation with CNTP

Course length: 2 days

Cost: £250 including certificate

Level: Improver & above

This 2-day course covers the fundamentals of navigation, tidal planning and weather awareness. Although there is some classroom content, the focus of the course is on putting the knowledge into practice. Course attendance entitles participants to the British Canoeing Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning certificate (pre-requisite for BC Sea Kayak Leader Assessment).

As the course will be primarily practical in nature, participants should be able to paddle for up to 15km per day, in winds of up to Beaufort Force 3 and waves of up to 0.5m.

For full details of the BC Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning syllabus, see the British Canoeing Awarding website.

All equipment and clothing is provided, but you will need a packed lunch.

The course starts at 09.30 and finishes around 16.30 on both days.

2024 Dates : 24/25 Apr, 20/21 July, 18/19 Sept

Book now (listed under courses)

Sea kayak deck with chart and GPS

Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning

Course length: 1 day

Cost: £120 including certificate

Level: All levels

This 1-day classroom course covers the fundamentals of navigation, tidal planning and weather awareness. Course attendance entitles participants to the British Canoeing Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning certificate (pre-requisite for BC Sea Kayak Leader Assessment), but 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 certificate.

For full details of the BC Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning syllabus, see the British Canoeing Awarding website.

The course starts at 09.00 and finishes around 17.00. Dates are scheduled to tie in with our BC Sea Kayak Leader Training for those wishing to combine the 2 courses.

2024 Dates : 1st March, 25th October

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Open Water Tidal Planning and Navigation

Course length: 1 day

Cost: £120 including certificate

Level: Improver

This classroom-based course aims to provide a clear understanding of weather, tides, and their impact on open water sea kayaking, including planning open crossings.

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 BC 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 obtaining the OWNTP certificate (included in course cost). If you wish to obtain the OWNTP certificate you will need to hold the CNTP or an alternative recognised by British Canoeing.

Dates are scheduled to tie in with our Advanced Sea Kayak Leader training.

For full details of the syllabus and course content please consult the British Canoeing Awarding Body website.

2024 Dates: 10th April; 20th September

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Leader helping group to launch

Sea Kayak Leader Training

Course length: 2 days

Cost: £250

Level: Experienced

This course provides British Canoeing recognised training, supporting paddlers in their progression to the BC Sea Kayak Leader assessment. The BC 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 BC  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 BC 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 BC 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.

2024 Dates: 2/3 March, 26/27 October

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Kayaker working on bow rudder

Sea Kayak Coach Training (Moderate Water)

Course length: 2 days

Cost: £250

Level: Experienced

The BC 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:

– BC Coach Award Core Training (or equivalent) completed;

– BC 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.

2024 Dates: 23/24 March, 28/29 Sept

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Paddlers looking at tidal race

Advanced Sea Kayak Leader Training

Course length: 2 days

Cost: £260

Level: Experienced

This course provides British Canoeing recognised training, supporting paddlers in their progression to the BC Advanced Sea Kayak Leader assessment. The BC 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 BC  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 BC 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.

2024 Dates: 11/12 April; 21/22 Sept

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Coaches working in advanced environment

Sea Kayak Coach Training (Advanced Water)

Course length: 2 days

Cost: £260

Level: Experienced

The BC 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:

– BC Coach Award Core Training (or equivalent) completed;

– BC 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.

2024 Dates: 2/3 October

Book now

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 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 BC 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 BC  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:

– Full membership of British Canoeing 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. Generally available between mid-September and late March only

Email to request a date

Sea Kayak Coach talking to students

Sea Kayak Coach Assessment (Moderate Water)

Course length: 1 day

Cost: £255

Level: Experienced

The BC 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:

– BC Coach Award Core Training (or equivalent) completed;

– BC 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

Email now to request a date

Kayaker paddling near coast

Personal Performance Awards

Course length: as required

Cost: variable

Level: According to award

The new BC 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. The 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.