Paddlesport Instructor

PSI is the first step on the coaching ladder with Paddle UK (British Canoeing).

It is a 2-day course with minimal pre-requisites: Participants must be a Paddle UK member, have completed a Paddlesport Safety and Rescue Course (or FSRT) and register with Paddle UK (in addition to making a booking on this page).

The Paddlesport Instructor qualification is designed for instructors running paddlesport taster/starter sessions within the safety management systems of clubs, centres or other organisations in:

• Very Sheltered Water environments
• Craft deemed suitable for a first-time experience

Course Content

The qualification will support the instructor with practical skills such as kitting up a group and getting afloat, initial familiarisation activities, games and activities to support learning and how to use mini journeys to inspire adventure and exploration. This will be enhanced with support on how these sessions can be delivered in a way that is enjoyable, safe and rewarding.

The process of completing the qualification aims to help prepare candidates for their first paddlesport instructing role; ‘primed and ready’.

Assessment Criteria

Participants are required to demonstrate effective rescues from their chosen craft, in addition to professional conduct and competence in personal paddling skills (see here a full description of the assessment guidance). The rescue assessment includes:

Find out more on the British Canoeing Awarding Body website:

• Course overview
• Course documentation

Do I meet the pre requisites?

To be accepted on this course, participants must:

• Be current members of Paddle UK
• Have completed Paddlesport Safety and Rescue Course (PSRC)
• Register on the Paddle UK portal

While the lower age limit for this course is 14, we are not licensed to deliver adventure training to under 18s unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.