Paddling Courses

Name: Flatwater Guide
Description: A two day instruction and assessment course for the Paddle Australia (PA) Flatwater Guide Award. The course covers guiding skills, refining paddling techniques, rescues, trip planning, group management and trip Leadership. This course is for teachers and others with practical experience in guiding school trips, and other similar activities.
Date: 23 and 24 November 2023
Venue: Ascot Kayak Club, Fauntleroy Ave, Ascot
Cost: $360.00 + GST
Enquiries: Leone education@paddlewa.asn.au

Most of the courses Paddle WA provide are part of the Paddle Australia’s Qualification Framework (PAQS) including participation certificate courses, Coaching and Officiating grouped together under Education. Education - Paddle Australia

Leadership Qualifications

We provide courses for flatwater Supervisors, Guides and Instructors and Moving Water Endorsement. We also occasionally provide White Water Kayak courses, as well as Rescue 1 and Rescue 2 from a kayak.
Paddling leadership qualifications give you the authority to deliver training and are indicators of your ability to paddle in varied craft (Canoe, Kayak, SOT) and varied water environments (flatwater, moving water and white water) These course are best suited to Outdoor Education Teachers, Commercial Guides, Instructors, Paddling Guides and the like.

Leadership Qualifications - Assessors

Paddle WA can assist experienced Instructors and Guides wishing to progress to assessor. Contact Leonie education@paddlewa.asn.au or 0412101949 (text is preferred) Further details on becoming an assessor can be found on the Paddle Australia website

Coaching Qualifications

Paddle Australia is undertaking a review of coaching with the aim to create an improved program. Currently there are a selection of online coaching courses paddlers can enrol in. The first step is ‘Introduction to Coaching course” (online) This course enables the participant to undertake the Australia Sports Commission course, Play by the Rules course and the Paddle Australia course. Participants also need to obtain a Working With Children Check from the state government. Further information on coaching can be found on the Paddle Australia website.

External Courses

Other local organisations and assessors run their own skills and leadership qualification courses. If you are looking for something specific Paddle WA is likely able to assist with who to contact. We work closely with most of the external providers.
Our Sea Kayak Club WA and Swan Canoe Club have excellent skill progression opportunities for any budding sea kayakers who are club members. Ascot Kayak Club and Swan Canoe Club have excellent ‘Introduction to Paddling’ courses and the Sea Kayak Club conducts basic skills courses as part of the membership induction.