The British Canoeing Paddle Explore Award is a sheltered water award, which can be taken in any craft (e.g. kayak, canoe, SUP etc.) 

WVCC offers Paddle Explore training as either six - eight weekly sessions on a weekday evening or, from time to time, a two day course over one or two weekends.

The Paddle Explore is the next stage of development for paddlers who have already completed, or attained an equivalent level of skill to, the Paddle Discover Award.  This course is designed for adults paddling kayak or canoe in a sheltered water environment.

Pre-requisites

Participants must be 17 years or younger.

Participants will already have completed a BC Paddle Discover Award, BC 1 Star Award or have an equivalent level of skill. Candidates must be water confident, and ideally should be able to swim (this is desirable but not essential). 

Equipment
Participants may use their own equipment (boat, paddle, personal safety equipment etc.). Alternatively you can use the club’s boats, paddles, buoyancy aids and helmets. The club does not supply wet or dry suits, boots/shoes, cagoules or other clothing:  so you need to come suitably dressed to go on the water in whatever weather conditions prevail.

Achieving the Award

The Paddle Explore Award has been devised so that paddlers develop a sense of ownership for their personal development.  When a paddler has undergone sufficient training to consider they have achieved their goals, they need to ask a coach with the requisite qualifications to assess them.  If a qualified coach, has been coaching the paddler, the assessment could have been ongoing throughout the paddler’s training: but do not assume this, you must agree this with your coach.

Alternatively, a paddler may want to do the course and then spend additional time developing their skills before undertaking a formal assessment.  They may also choose to be assessed by a coach who has not been involved in their training.

When the coach/assessor considers the paddler to have achieved their target skills, knowledge and experience, for the Paddle Explore Award, the assessor will register the paddler’s achievement (on-line) with British Canoeing and the paddler will be sent a certificate.