Paddlesport Instructors – Growing Our Coaching Team

On December 19th and 20th, 2024, six members of the Knottingley Canoe Club committee took part in the Paddlesport Instructor course, taking the next step in developing our coaching team. The course, delivered by Chris Brain Coaching in partnership with Oot and Aboot Adventure, provided hands-on training in coaching skills, safety techniques, and session delivery.

The Paddlesport Instructor Award is the entry-level coaching qualification from British Canoeing, designed to equip paddlers with the skills to deliver safe and engaging paddlesport sessions. It qualifies instructors to run starter sessions and games-based activities in kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), supporting participants in learning new skills through fun and structured experiences.

What We Learned

Over two days, our new instructors gained practical experience in a wide range of coaching and safety skills, including:

✔️ Delivering engaging paddling sessions – planning structured sessions with warm-ups, fun games, and challenges designed to teach fundamental paddling techniques.
✔️ Understanding learning styles – how to adapt coaching approaches to different participants and their needs.
✔️ Fundamental paddling techniques – improving personal skills and understanding how to break them down for new learners.
✔️ Safety and rescue skills – instructors were assessed on 10 different rescues across kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards, reinforcing our knowledge from the Paddlesport Safety & Rescue course.
✔️ Group management on the water – ensuring sessions are safe, fun, and inclusive for all participants.
✔️ Using adaptive coaching strategies – developing confidence in coaching mixed ability groups and tailoring activities for different learning styles.

A key part of the course was learning through doing, with candidates leading real coaching sessions, receiving feedback, and refining their techniques throughout. The balance of on-the-water practicals and land-based discussions helped build confidence and understanding of how to create a positive learning environment.

Getting Familiar with Different Craft

One of the exciting aspects of the course was the opportunity to get hands-on experience with crafts that some of us don’t usually paddle. While many of our team are more familiar with kayaks or canoes, we spent time getting to grips with stand-up paddleboards (SUPs). Learning how to confidently stand, paddle, and manoeuvre SUPs helped expand our understanding of different disciplines, which will be essential when coaching new paddlers in mixed craft sessions.

We practiced basic SUP techniques, including balance, paddle strokes, and self-rescue, giving us a solid foundation to help beginners feel more comfortable when stepping onto a board for the first time.

Support and Mentorship

We were also fortunate to have Nicola from Oot and Aboot Adventure shadowing and assisting throughout the course as she works towards becoming a Paddlesport Instructor assessor and provider. Having her insight and support added another layer of learning to the weekend!

A Huge Thank You

A massive thank you to Chris Brain Coaching and Oot and Aboot Adventure for delivering a fantastic course. Also, a big shoutout to Wakefield Council and the Alpkit Foundation, whose generous support helped fund this training and make it possible!

Looking Ahead

With more qualified instructors, we’re excited to continue growing as a club, offering more structured coaching and supporting new paddlers as they develop their skills.

The completion of this course is just the beginning—our newly qualified instructors will now start delivering sessions under mentorship, helping new paddlers gain confidence and develop their skills in a safe and supportive environment. If you’re interested in getting involved, whether as a paddler or future instructor, get in touch!

Happy Paddling!

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Knottingley Canoe Club is a welcoming and inclusive paddlesport community based in West Yorkshire. Offering a range of canoeing and kayaking experiences for all skill levels, including river paddling, sea kayaking, and white water adventures. Our pool sessions take place at Normanton Leisure in Wakefield, providing a safe and supportive environment for learning and training. Discover more about our activities, membership options, and how to connect with fellow paddlers at Knottingley Canoe Club.