A concentrated week to earn your BCAB White Water Leader: focused, practical, and rooted in moderate white‑water environments

DORKING GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE

A concentrated week to earn your BCAB White Water Leader: focused, practical, and rooted in moderate white‑water environments

A four‑day, fully inclusive training week that combines BCAB White Water Leader and White Water Safety courses to teach leadership principles and safety frameworks for aspiring leaders.

A concentrated week to earn your BCAB White Water Leader: focused, practical, and rooted in moderate white‑water environments.

Duration
4 days
Location
Dorking
Operator
Rock The Boat Training LTD
Category
Guided Tour
Robert Eric Crews
Founder & Editor, The Adventure Collective
Published Verified

This is a compact, instructor‑led training week aimed at paddlers who want to progress into leading others on moderate white water. The programme bundles BCAB White Water Leader training with the BCAB White Water Safety course into a single four‑day package that focuses on leadership principles, safety frameworks and on‑water practice.

Highlights

Outing Highlights

THE PACKAGE

Leader training and safety combined

The course bundles the BCAB White Water Leader training with the BCAB White Water Safety course into a four‑day package designed to get you started on gaining a leader award.

THE CURRICULUM

Leadership principles and safety frameworks

The week concentrates on the leadership principles and safety frameworks you need to plan, manage and deliver trips in moderate white water environments.

THE ENVIRONMENT

Designed for moderate white water

The training is intended for aspiring leaders operating in moderate white water; participants are recommended to be comfortable paddling at grade 2 (3) and able to swim confidently in grade 2 conditions.

What the day feels like

What the week feels like

Expect an intense, practice‑led rhythm: classroom and briefing sessions paired with on‑water drills that translate leadership theory into real‑time decision making. The blended Leader and Safety syllabus is taught over four days, with instructors guiding skills progression and scenario practice in moderate white water environments.

Suitability

Who it's for

Who this week suits — and who should consider preparing first.

1
Aspiring white‑water leadersAimed squarely at paddlers who want the practical training and safety knowledge needed to begin working toward a BCAB leader award.
2
Intermediate paddlersA good match if you can paddle grade 2 (3) comfortably and swim confidently in grade 2 conditions; those skills will let you get the most from on‑water leadership drills.
3
Complete beginnersNot ideal without prior experience — the organisers recommend paddlers already comfortable at grade 2 before attending.
4
Safety‑focused participantsWell suited to anyone who wants a grounding in white‑water safety as the course explicitly includes the BCAB White Water Safety syllabus alongside leader training.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

Duration & meeting

The training runs as a four‑day week; meeting location is Dartmoor. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled start time.

What to bring

Recommended equipment: towline or tow system, throwline, webbing or sling, three large carabiners, whistle, knife and your preferred paddle craft. You do not need to buy kit before attending — items will be available to try.

Conditions & scheduling

The course requires a minimum water level to run; if conditions are not met the course will be postponed or relocated.

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

How long is the training week?

The course runs for four days.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting location is Dartmoor.

What pre‑requisites are recommended?

It is recommended you can paddle grade 2 (3) and are comfortable swimming in a grade 2 environment to get the most from the training.

What should I bring to the course?

Bring a towline or tow system, throwline, webbing or sling, three large carabiners, whistle, knife and your preferred paddle craft; items will also be available to try if you do not already own them.

What happens if water levels are low?

The course requires a minimum water level and will be postponed or relocated if conditions are unsuitable.

When should I arrive on the first day?

Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your start time.