Paddlesport Safety and Rescue Course (PSRC)

£100.00

The Paddlesport Safety and Rescue course aims to provide paddlers with the key safety and rescue skills required to operate safely and to be able to deal with common emergencies with common paddlesport craft from your chosen craft. Helping them to build confidence towards independence.

There is 6 hours of learning time on the course, the majority will be practical and on the water. Dress to get wet!

Dates:

Paxmead River Base Shepperton - 31st May 2025 August 2025 - Dates and venue TBC

Book Course

There is 6 hours of learning time on the course, the majority will be practical and on the water. Dress to get wet!

About the course

We start by identifying the hazards of the sheltered water environment, Slow moving rivers, lakes and sheltered bays. Then applying simple measures we can all take to avoid these hazards.

From there we explore common ways we can assist canoeists, Kayakers and Paddleboarders who are in difficulties from struggling to go in a straight line to injured and incapacitated casualties.

This course is a Pre-requisite for the Paddlesport Instructor and recommended for those attending Paddlesport Leader and Coach Award

- It is advisable that you have confident boat handling skills in your chosen craft on flat water, equivalent to Explore (2 star) Award.
- Experience of capsizing your kayak and/or Canoe.
- We can only except over 18s on this course.
- It is advisable to have Paddle UK “on the water” membership. But not essential.
This is a 1-day course running 09:00 to 17:30.
- Welcome and Aims of the day.
- Clothing and Equipment, Safety Frameworks (Dry)
- Tows, recoveries (Wet)
- Deep water rescues and self-rescues(Very Wet)
- Finish and course reflection (Dry)
- We advise you have current British Canoeing “On the Water” Membership (or other Home Nation Governing Body) https://www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/membership/join-us-online-here
- Ensure your Personal Paddling skills are at a good level in your chosen craft(s). There are we recommend the Discover or Explore award is a good benchmark. You need to be able to confidently control and manoeuvre your craft and be confident capsizing.
Personal Paddling Kit appropriate for the time of year and emersion. As a minimum Full-Wetsuit and Waterproof jacket or Watersports Cag.
- A Thermal base-layer and warm fleece top is strongly recommended.
- Closed-toed Wetsuit shoes or old trainers with warm socks.
- Any Safety and rescue kit you would normally carry, I.e. Knife, Whistle, Tape Sling.
- A nose-clip would be beneficial
- Warm Jacket or Dryrobe.
- Towel and change of clothes
- You can bring your own Craft if you would like.
- Rock River Coaching can provide SUPs Canoes, a limited selection of Kayaks, paddles, PFDs, and Paddling kit by prior arrangement.
This is a physically intensive course with significant time spent in the water, however we endeavour to make our courses as inclusive as possible. If you have any concerns or additional physical or learning requirements please highlight these on the Candidate Information Google Form or feel free to get in touch to discuss things with the team. For further information you can view the BCAB Equal Opportunities for Access and Fairness in Assessment Policy
Please read our full terms and conditions before booking.
The course covers BCAB awarding fees and launching fees/river licences.
Membership fees, candidate registration and parking are not included.

Get in touch.

If you have any questions about this or other courses or if you would like us to come to your club, organisation or centre to deliver this course for you, please contact us to discuss opportunities.