Level 3 - Paddle UK British Canoeing SUP Safer Paddlesport Course

SUP Safer Course Contents
The objective of the SUP Safer course is to introduce simple and safe skills that can provide the tools to problem solve simple common paddling scenarios in flat/sheltered water by SUP. Participants will learn:

Skills which will enable them to ensure the safety of themselves and others
Appropriate rescue skills which can be used to help themselves and/or others in difficulty
Why take the SUP Safer course?

Are you relevatively new to paddleboarding? Do you want to raise your awareness of paddling your SUP safely? Do you want to learn practical solutions if you get into difficulty? Then the SUP Safer course is for you! Your course will support you to consider safe practices, explore and learn to appreciate the potential hazards…

If you needed any more convincing, the course is completely based around training and raising awareness for SUP rescue skills, with no assessment. Structured to support you, our experienced tutors will ensure you have plenty of time practising, as well as understanding how you can develop skills and experience after the course.

The course takes around 4 hours and will cover 4 modules:

SUP Equipment
Environment and Weather
Planning
Safety on the Water
There will be opportunities to develop and progress your rescue skills and meet like-minded people during the course. Many of our course candidates develop long lasting friendships, connections and contacts.

SUP Safer Course Training Overview

Minimum age: There is no age restriction for the course. Under 18’s can complete coaching and instructor qualifications however they can not run their own sessions until over 18 and must be accompanied by an adult.

Duration: 4 hours of training time with structured practice allowing time for working on skills, providing support and admin time.

Venue: Sheltered water, calm conditions.

Prerequisites

Able to swim in normal paddling clothing suitable for the prevailing conditions
Boat-based candidates must also:
Have paddling skills at the current Paddle Explore Award,
Discover / 2 Star Award, or be of equivalent ability due to the paddling environment
the boat control required to complete the course
A First Aid certificate is not a prerequisite. However, holding a First Aid certificate is strongly recommended for all paddlers.

Good knowledge of practical issues that paddlers may face.

Course Documents
To view the associated documents with this course, click here.

Canoe Trail can provide access to all equipment required for the course.

Equipment

The following is a list of recommended equipment required for the participant in this course to have:
- Towline OR tow system;
- Throwline;
- Webbing (sewn or unsewn sling) and large karabiner;
- Whistle;
- Knife.

The course aims to allow the participants to experience a range of equipment, and to teach/coach the participant in ways to use the equipment as well as improvised systems.

Syllabus and Course content

The course will cover 4 key modules -

SUP Equipment - different boards, paddling equipment and safety equipment

Craft overview, safety considerations and features
Clothing and equipment worn
Additional safety equipment
Environment and weather - dynamnic risk assessments, the environment and changes to weather and conditions

The sheltered water environment
Other environments
Weather considerations
Tide and flow
Water features
Planning - Planning to avoid issues, hazards and risks to avoid

Knowledge, experience and ability
What to expect and what to look out for
Where and how to find help
Safety on the water - practical tiips to stay safe and support others on the water

Getting started safely
Supporting others
Rescue techniques
Calling for help, sustaining yourself whilst waiting for assistance
The Paddling environment

Sheltered water
calm conditions
Not more than 50m from the bank (very sheltered water) and 200m from shore/bank (sheltered water)
*Dates may need to change at Canoe Trail's discretion; this will be notified in advance.