OUR LEADERS

The role of a Leader is to take people on fun and enjoyable trips and journeys. We utilise the British Canoeing Environmental Definitions and Qualifications to categorise our 'on the water' volunteers. This provides us with a strong foundation upon which to base our Paddlesport Safety Framework.

ADVANCED WATER LEADERS

These Leaders are at the top of their game, they have demonstrated that they are able to look after 4 fellow paddlers on Advanced water, providing them with a challenging, yet safe experience. These leaders undertake further training, such as an Advance White Water Safety and Rescue course, which provides them with the knowledge and skills to operate in the advanced water environment. They will have obtained the Advance White Water Leader qualification.

These leaders have proven their skills in the advanced water environment and therefore as a club we allow them to also operate on sheltered and moderate water.

ANDY OUGHTON

Advanced Water Leader - Canoe

Moderate Water Leader - Kayak

NATHAN MCDONAGH

Advanced Water Leader - Kayak
Sheltered Water - All Craft

DAVE BEECROFT

Advanced Water Leader - Canoe
Moderate Water Leader - Kayak
Sheltered Water - Paddleboard

MODERATE WATER LEADERS

The Moderate water environment includes moving white water up to Grade 3.

Members who have progressed their paddling and leadership skills further than Sheltered water can be supported to obtain formal qualifications that allow them to take groups on Moderate water journeys. They have enhanced safety skills gained from attending a White Water Safety and Rescue course and will hold a 16 hour outdoor first aid qualification.

Where they have craft specific awards in the moderate water environment, they can operate as leaders in other craft when on sheltered water, so long as they have demonstrated their personal paddling ability in that craft type, for example by undertaking a personal performance award.

MARK BEASLEY

Moderate Water Leader - Canoe

Paddlesport Touring Leader - All Craft

SHAUN MONKMAN

Moderate Water Leader - Kayak

Paddlesport Touring Leader - All Craft

CLINT PARKER

Aspirant Paddlesport Touring Leader - All Craft

DEAN MACKEN

Moderate Water Leader - Canoe & Kayak
Moderate Open Water Leader - Canoe
Sheltered Water - Paddleboard

SEAN PAYNE

Moderate Water Leader - Canoe & Kayak
Moderate Open Water Leader - Canoe
Sheltered Water - Paddleboard

ANNEKA JONES

Moderate Water Leader - Kayak
Sheltered Water - All Craft

SCOTT BARBER

Aspirant Paddlesport Touring Leader

TONY CLARK

Moderate Water Leader - Kayak

KYLE LAYWOOD

Moderate Water Leader - Kayak

ANTON MAGRATH

Moderate Water Leader - Kayak

NEIL SMITH

Paddlesport Touring Leader - All Craft

KATRINA SMITH

Paddlesport Touring Leader - All Craft

SHELTERED WATER LEADERS

Members taking on this role have received professional British Canoeing training in leading groups of paddlers on journeys. They can take up to 8 people in single person crafts or up to 16 in doubles.
These members will have undertaken one of several formal qualifications which assures the club that they are competent leaders. As well as their leadership qualifications, they will have attended First Aid training, and if they are working with children or young people, then they will also have completed a Disclosure and Barring Service check in line with British Canoeing guidance.
Many of these members started at the club as Helpers and have progressed with the support of other members to take on the leader role. They are able to lead people at pool sessions, rivers, canals or lakes within the British Canoeing definition for sheltered water.
With a sheltered water helper added to their group, they can double the number of people they take, including the Helper.

UKCC Paddlesport Instructor

Sheltered Water Leader - Canoe/Kayak