SUP Qualifications, Leadership Training & Assessments
SUP QUALIFICATIONS, LEADERSHIP TRAINING & ASSESSMENTS
Learn. Progress. Lead.
Develop Your Skills. Build Your Confidence. Become a SUP Leader.
The Water Sports Academy is a recognised Paddle Scotland Delivery Partner, delivering Paddle UK Awarding Body stand up paddle boarding leadership training and assessments across Scotland.
Whether you're beginning your leadership journey, developing your skills in more challenging environments or preparing for assessment, we offer professional coaching and development opportunities to support your progression.
Our approach is practical, supportive and tailored to your experience, helping you develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to lead others safely and effectively on the water.
Leadership Training | Personal Development Plans | Assessments
SUP Sheltered Water Leader
Build Your Confidence. Develop Your Leadership.
The Paddle UK Awarding Body SUP Sheltered Water Leader qualification is designed for paddlers who wish to lead groups on journeys in sheltered water environments, including wind-affected and slow-moving waters.
Our training focuses on developing the practical skills, knowledge and decision-making required to become a competent and confident SUP leader.
What will you develop?
- Personal paddling skills and board control
- Participant-focused leadership and group management
- Journey planning and venue selection
- Understanding environmental conditions and hazards
- Safety awareness, rescue techniques and incident management
- Leadership decision-making and risk management
Formal training is optional, allowing experienced paddlers to progress directly to assessment when ready.
Available options:
Leadership Training | Personal Development | Assessment
SUP Tidal Leader
Explore Further. Lead with Confidence.
The Paddle UK Awarding Body SUP Tidal Leader qualification is designed for experienced paddlers looking to develop their leadership skills in simple coastal and tidal environments.
This qualification supports paddlers who wish to lead groups on journeys along suitable coastlines, sheltered bays and estuaries within the defined remit of the award.
Our training combines practical experience, environmental understanding and participant-focused leadership to develop your confidence and decision-making.
What will you develop?
- Coastal journey planning and navigation
- Understanding tides, weather and tidal flows
- Personal paddling skills in changing conditions
- Group leadership and management in coastal environments
- Rescue techniques and incident management
- Dynamic risk assessment and decision-making
Training and development can be tailored to your existing experience, allowing you to focus on the skills needed for your progression.
Available options:
Leadership Training | Personal Development | Assessment
SUP LEADERSHIP ASSESSMENTS
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you've already developed the required experience, skills and knowledge, you may be ready to complete your Paddle UK Awarding Body leadership assessment.
Formal training is not compulsory, allowing experienced paddlers to progress directly to assessment once they have met the relevant prerequisites.
We offer assessments for:
- SUP Sheltered Water Leader
- SUP Tidal Leader
Assessments provide the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to plan, lead and manage safe, enjoyable SUP journeys in the relevant environment.
Assessment focuses on four key areas:
- Participant-focused leadership
- Personal paddling skills
- Rescue skills
- Underpinning knowledge, understanding and experience
Individual & Small-Group Assessments
Assessments can be arranged for individuals or small groups at suitable locations across Scotland.
The assessment will normally take place over one or two days, depending on candidate numbers, environmental conditions and the logistics required to meet the assessment criteria.
Suitable participants are required for candidates to lead during assessment. We will discuss the arrangements with you when planning your assessment.
Travel and additional venue requirements may be reflected in the final assessment price.
