BRIGHTON AND HOVE WATER ACTIVITIES FIELD GUIDE
Leading the Water: Two Days to Paddlesport Leadership on Brighton’s Sheltered Shores
A focused, expert-led 2-day course that trains paddlers to lead mixed fleets (kayak, canoe, SUP) on sheltered water and slow-moving rivers—this guide explains what to expect and how to prepare.
Leading the Water: Two Days to Paddlesport Leadership on Brighton’s Sheltered Shores.
Set against the coastal approaches of Brighton and Hove, this compact, hands-on 2-day Paddlesport Leader Training course teaches paddlers how to lead mixed fleets—kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards—in sheltered water and on slow-moving rivers. Through expert instruction and practical sessions you’ll work on risk assessment, decision-making and group-management techniques that form the backbone of safe paddling leadership.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Mixed-craft leadership
The course concentrates on leading a mixed fleet—kayaks, canoes and SUPs—so you’ll develop techniques that transfer across craft and fleet compositions in sheltered-water settings.
Risk assessment and group management
Practical modules emphasize risk assessment, decision-making and managing small groups on calm water and gentle rivers—skills central to confident leadership.
Expert-led, hands-on training
Delivered over two intensive days, the training blends instruction and on-water practice so participants can apply leadership techniques in real conditions and prepare for assessment.
What the day feels like
What the two-day course feels like
Across two structured days you’ll move from shore-based briefings to practical on-water sessions, rehearsing group control, patrol patterns and scenario responses in sheltered water and slow-moving river conditions under expert supervision.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this course is for—and who should consider alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
This is an intensive 2-day training course; sessions span shore briefings and on-water practice across both days.
Training takes place on sheltered water and slow-moving rivers with a mixed fleet of kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards.
The exact meeting location will be decided closer to the course dates; participants will be notified in advance.
Expect expert-led, hands-on coaching focused on practical application of leadership, safety and group-management techniques.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Paddlesport Leader Training?
The course runs over two days.
What craft will I train with?
Training covers leading a mixed fleet of kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards.
Where do we meet for the course?
The meeting location will be decided and communicated closer to the course dates.
What skills does the course teach?
The course focuses on risk assessment, decision-making and group management techniques for sheltered water and slow-moving rivers.
Is the training suitable for someone new to paddling?
The course is designed for paddlers seeking to become Paddlesport Leaders and emphasizes leadership and group-management skills.
Will the course prepare me for formal assessment?
Yes — the training provides hands-on practice and instruction to prepare participants for assessment.