Star Awards

The British Canoeing Star Awards Are Designed For Paddlers Aged 16 And Over

1 Star Award

The British Canoeing 1 Star Award is a sheltered water award which can be taken in any craft.

It is designed to recognise the level people would typically reach after an introductory course of six hours quality water time.

 

Prerequisites

Candidates must be water confident, and ideally should be able to swim (this is desirable but not essential).

If candidates are under 14 the Paddlepower (Go Canoeing/Skills Building/Paddlepower) program may be more appropriate.

2 Star Award

The 2 Star Award is an improvement award which supports the development of fundamental paddlesport skills on sheltered water.

It recognises a paddler’s understanding of how the paddle, boat and water interact and their ability to control movement of both canoes and kayaks using fundamental skills.

 

Prerequisites

Candidates must be able to swim 25 metres wearing a buoyancy aid and have experience of:

  • Paddling two different craft – surf kayak, closed cockpit kayak, open cockpit kayak, closed cockpit canoe, solo/tandem open canoe, racing boat, wave‐ski, flat‐hulled boat, v‐shaped hull, slalom boat, polo boat, or sea kayak
  • Paddling in two different locations – canal, river, loch/lake, or sea. Different parts of large bodies of water can be counted as two different locations
  • Competing in two paddlesport competitions – club level event, slalom, polo, sprint, freestyle bell‐boat etc. OR completing two journeys of approx. two hours duration

3 Star White Water (Kayak/OC1)

With the 3 Star White Water Award the paddler can consider themselves an intermediate white water paddler, as they can now paddle on moving waters. This award is available as either a 3 Star White Water Kayak Award or a 3 Star White Water OC1 Award

 

Aims

They will do this in a competent manner as part of a led group. Paddlers will also have the knowledge and ability to help the smooth running of a trip while being led down a a river with sections up to grade two.

 

Prerequisites

3 Star paddlers must:

  • Provide evidence of at least 8‐10 paddling sessions (minimum 40 hours) in varied locations where possible; this should include evidence of having paddled grade two water
  • Maintain a consistent British Canoeing 2 Star standard of performance in the appropriate craft is required for anyone starting to work towards the British Canoeing 3 Star White Water Kayak Award. It is recommended that the candidate holds the British Canoeing 2 Star Award
  • Have the ability to swim confidently in moving water, wearing normal paddling clothes

3 Star Open Canoe

With the 3 Star Open Canoe Award paddlers can consider themselves to be an intermediate open canoe paddler rather than a beginner.

 

Aims

Paddlers should demonstrate personal competence in paddling open water in wind conditions of Beaufort Force 3 and on grade 1 moving water as part of a led group.

 

Prerequisites

3 Star paddlers must:

  • Provide evidence of at least three different open canoe journeys, of about three hours duration (10Km) each; at least one of these needs to be in an open water environment, and one on a river trip
  • Maintain a consistent British Canoeing 2 Star standard of performance in an open canoe is required for anyone starting to work towards the British Canoeing 3 Star Open Canoe Award. It is recommended that the candidate holds the British Canoeing 2 Star Award
  • Have the ability to swim confidently in the open water and river environment, wearing normal paddling clothes