Qualification pathway
One journey.Many possibilities.
Discover how paddlesport learning can progress from personal skills to instruction, leadership, coaching and tutoring.
Six stages
Try → Learn → Qualify → Lead → Coach → Tutor
Each stage links to the courses that belong to it. Specific prerequisites between individual qualifications follow the Paddle UK pathway and are shown on each course once confirmed.
- 01TryGet on the water for the first time.Personal awards
- 02LearnBuild personal skills and confidence.Personal awards
- 03QualifyTrain to teach paddlesport.Instructors
- 04LeadTake responsibility for groups on the water.Leaders
- 05CoachDevelop other paddlers.Coachs
- 06TutorHelp train the next generation of paddlesport professionals.Pathway details
Qualification levels
What each level means.
Personal AwardsPaddle Start · Paddle Safer · SUP Safer · Paddle Discover · Paddle Explore
- Intended learner
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
- Entry requirements
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
- Learning outcomes
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
- Assessment & progression
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
- Scope of practice
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
- Water environments
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
InstructorSUP Instructor · Paddlesport Instructor
- Intended learner
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
- Entry requirements
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
- Learning outcomes
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
- Assessment & progression
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
- Scope of practice
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
- Water environments
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
LeaderPaddlesport Leader · Open Water Canoe Leader · Sea Kayak Leader
- Intended learner
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
- Entry requirements
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
- Learning outcomes
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
- Assessment & progression
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
- Scope of practice
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
- Water environments
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
CoachCoach
- Intended learner
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
- Entry requirements
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
- Learning outcomes
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
- Assessment & progression
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
- Scope of practice
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
- Water environments
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
TutorNo Academy courses listed yet
- Intended learner
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
- Entry requirements
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
- Learning outcomes
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
- Assessment & progression
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
- Scope of practice
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
- Water environments
- From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending.
Instructor vs Leader
Different roles. Different remits.
Instructor and leader qualifications carry different responsibilities and permitted operating environments. Holding one does not automatically grant the remit of the other.
| Aspect | Instructor | Leader |
|---|---|---|
| Primary responsibility | From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending. | From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending. |
| Permitted water environments | From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending. | From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending. |
| Typical group role | From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending. | From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending. |
| Entry requirements | From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending. | From the Paddle UK Qualification Pathway, pending. |
| Academy courses | SUP Instructor, Paddlesport Instructor | Paddlesport Leader, Open Water Canoe Leader, Sea Kayak Leader |
Water environments
Where each qualification applies.
Qualifications are tied to specific water environments. Each course lists only the environments its qualification actually covers.
Very Sheltered
Definition from the Paddle UK pathway document, pending.
Sheltered
Definition from the Paddle UK pathway document, pending.
Moderate
Definition from the Paddle UK pathway document, pending.
Advanced
Definition from the Paddle UK pathway document, pending.
Paddle UK courses from 2027, subject to approval.
Bond Safari Academy