Enjoyed being on the water over summer? Enamoured with Stand Up Paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, sit on top kayaking etc? Make your passion part of your work and become a Paddlesport Instructor. Ready to take the plunge?
Coming up on 3 consecutive Fridays – by the end of these successful 3 days you will achieve the status of British Canoeing Paddlesport Instructor.
Friday 30 September 2022 – Foundation Safety and Rescue Course – essential learning for all prior to undertaking Paddlesport Instructor.
Friday 7 October and Friday 14 October – Paddlesport Instructor Course
To book please follow this link
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.
The primary role of the Paddlesport Instructor is to deliver safe and enjoyable
taster/starter sessions based on their group’s needs and aspirations. 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 support learning, 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.
We anticipate that the qualification is likely to be used by instructors in clubs,
centres, schools, Duke of Edinburgh, Youth Groups, Uniformed Groups, etc.
Instructors who are involved in running taster/starter sessions for:
children and young people as part of a wider educational experience;
people as part of a leisure, activity, social or holiday experience;
people wanting ‘to have a go’ at the sport; maybe as a potential new
regular participant.
Further information regarding this British Canoeing course on the Scottish Canoe Association website
Orchestrated by one of the authorities finest names in SUP coaching – Steven Nelson – a summer coaching series has resulted in the following awarded through the 
The 10 week course from June to October took place on Musselburgh Lagoons along with the fantastic sunshine that East Lothian often has to endure. For many of the paddlers it was their first experience of any watersport and their progression was a joy to behold. Many are now looking to continue their SUP journey by progressing onto Level 2 and attempting to set up a weekly SUP club. Some thoughts from the paddlers:
In some beautiful October sunshine all the paddlers took their skills and used them in a guided circumnavigation of the island of 
to deliver BikeabilityScotland Levels 1 and 2. This is the minimum course that anyone across the authority should hold to deliver BikeabilityScotland). FREE