4 Star Award White Water Leaders
This course provides essential skills to safely paddle and lead other competent paddlers on sections of moderate water. A four Star paddler will have the all round paddling ability, safety, rescue and basic leadership required to undertake trips on sheltered - moderate water with a group of paddlers able themselves to operate in a self-sufficient manner. At the end of the course you will receive a personalised action plan, designed to guide you towards a successful assessment.
What can this course provide me?
The learning outcomes of this course are performance and leadership in grade 3 white water environments. If you have an interest in the following development areas this course would have great benefits for you.
Personal Paddling Skills
- How kayaking effects your health and posture.
- Efficient and effective river running skills
- Identifying river feature potential to aid manoeuvres.
- Play skills to allow real freedom of the river.
- White water support and rolling techniques.
Rescue Skills
- Boat and bank-based safety and rescue skills
- White water swimming techniques and throw line rescues.
- Recovering equipment (chase boating skills)
- Incident management and first aid in the 4 star environment
- Effective team leader and team member in rescue / incidents
Safety, Leadership & Group Skills
- Skilful application of leadership e.g. CLAP principles.
- Appropriate leadership strategies, judgement and decision-making.
- Incident management and First Aid.
- Group control and management.
At the end of your training we suggest a development phase. This provides time to consolidate your new skills. We will provide you advice and help you to construct an action plan to continue your development and measure your achievements.
What experience do I need to go for my training?
3 Star standard would be the appropriate level of performance for paddlers to begin working towards the White Water 4 Star Leaders Award.
- BCU White Water Safety and Rescue Training Course. At least two days logged experience of formal training in personal skills, and leadership prior to assessment. Whilst two days is seen as the minimum requirement, five days would normally be more appropriate.
- Provide evidence of 12 river trips (minimum 4 hours duration) in four different locations. This experience must include at least: 6 grade 3 river trips as a member of a group; 6 grade 2-3 river trips as an assistant leader.
- First aid award (minimum 8hrs training including CPR)
If you would like any further information or to check your suitability for this course, please call our office on: +44 (0)845 0948276 or use our Contact/Booking Service and one of our team will get back to you.
After my training what does the assessment involve?
Assessment will take 2 days. You should be entirely comfortable on Grade 2 moving water and show evidence of being able to paddle sections of grade 3 in a competent manner as part of a lead group. During the assessment you are expected to demonstrate appropriate paddling leadership roles and be suitable equipped for the venue.
Candidates age 16 and over can go for assessment, but cannot be deemed responsible for leadership by law until they turn 18, and must hold a current first aid award and have BCU coaching membership or private insurance. You will need the following to go forward for your assessment:
