Skills Courses
From Easter we offer a variety of personal skills courses for those that wish to improve their own paddling skills or wish to become more familiar with certain craft types to help them deliver group activities. Courses are run in each of the major disciplines: Sitting in kayaks and dragon boats, Kneeling in canoes and coracles and Standing on paddleboards (SUP). These courses tend to run in the earlier part of the season and compliment our range of instructor development courses, coach awards and leadership awards.
The CST Paddlesport Leaders Basic and Training Update is a must for everyone new to paddlesports or seeking an update (reccomended very other year) and is aimed at those looking to deliver safe and fun sessions from our base in the Aquadrome. The course guides delegates towards the reccomended training they may need to acquire the required skills, and qualifications to lead their own sessions.
Instructor Courses
We find that paddlers that have completed the Paddle Explore Award or with around 70 hours of personal paddling experience can focus on the training and get the most out of their course. The Paddlesport Safety and Rescue course takes typically 6 hours and the Paddlesport Instructor course around 15 hours.
A range of courses specific for those that wish to manage their own activities or become a Paddlesport Instructor, examples include:
Paddlesport Leader Training is a Paddle UK qualification for sheltered water and Paddlesport Touring Leader for Moderate Water conditions
Coaching Awards for Sheltered Water with training and assessment available for Kayak only, Kayak and Canoe, Canoe and SUP.
First Aid – REC 1 is a one day entry level outdoor first aid course suited to anyone considering outdoor pursuits as a personal hobby and is also fully compliant with the requirements of British Canoeing, UK Scouting and for anyone wishing tio become a CST Instructor.
The Paddlesport Safety and Rescue Course is a Paddle UK qualification that provides paddlers with the key safety and rescue skills they might need when on the water supervising activities. It is designed to inform paddlers safe ways to operate and deal with common emergencies and rescues of themselves and others. A requirement for all CST instructors.
The PSR for Scouting Permits course is a specific course run for Scout Leaders wishing to obtain the required management, safety and rescue skills to be ready to apply for an Adventrous Activity Authorisation permit. Equally suited to anyone seeking the skills but not not needing a nationally recognised qualification.
Our Supplementary Permit Courses are specifically suited to those who already hold an activity authorisation permit in Canoe, Kayak or SUP and now wish to add additional craft types to their permit. Each half day course looks at the management methods associated with delivering activities in Raft, Coracle, Mega SUP, Katakanu and Dragon Boat.
The Paddlesport Instructor Course is a Paddle UK endorsed two day course aimed at those that wish to supervise activities both locally and further afield, this is the ideal qualification for the majority of youth leaders serious about their paddlesports and is the qualification held by all CST Instructors.
Instructor and Coaching Assessments are conducted for individuals who wish to conclude an element of training, whether in a lead or assisting capacity. Assessments will include coaching a session, requiring instructors to demonstrate certain management skills. Assesments are run subject to demand.
Base Supervisor Training is aimed at more experienced volunteers, group leaders and instructors who wish to get more involved in the work of the Trust and support us in a shore side capacity that may include managing a variety of simultaneous activities or courses. Candidates should be experienced and familiar with the CST operation. It is not necessary for applicants to hold a Paddlesport qualification, though experience in managing teams of adults is important in this role.
