Instructor Training Courses

Train with us on a range of instructor courses that are fully accredited by national governing bodies. We offer training in paddle sports, target sports, climbing and more.

British Canoeing - Paddlesport Instructor Award

The qualification will support the instructor with practical skills such as kitting up a group and getting afloat, initial familiarisation activities, games and activities to support learning. Also looking at how to use mini journeys to support learning, inspire adventure and exploration. This will be enhanced with support on how these sessions can be delivered in a way that is enjoyable, safe and rewarding. The process of completing the qualification aims to help prepare candidates for their first paddlesport instructing role; ‘primed and ready’. read more

There will be some classroom teaching, but we prefer to do as much as possible out on the water, so be prepared to paddle both days. Assessment is a continuous process throughout the course and will include you being shown how to run short sessions, demonstrating rescues and completing a learner development pack. You will be expected to be paddling confidently at your chosen craft and be able to rescue from it – an assessment of various rescues from your chosen craft will take place.

Prerequisites

Min Age 14

Completed Paddle Sport Safety and Rescue Training

Full British Canoeing Membership plus registration with the award

Price – £200

Dates

27th, 28th April 2024

5th, 6th October 2024

Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor

The Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor is very much like the Paddle Sport Instructor. Where a Paddle Sport Instructor is a mixed craft award, involving canoe, kayak and SUP, the SUP Instructor will only work from a SUP and only deliver SUP activities. The general ethos around the award is first time experiences, introducing people to the sport of stand up paddleboards. The course will include items such as: Group arrival and kitting up Familiarisation with the craft Games and Activities to support learning Mini Journeys Rescue Assessments read more

Prerequisites

Min Age 14

Completed Paddle Sport Safety and Rescue Training

Full British Canoeing Membership plus registration with the award

Price – £200

Dates – 1st and 2nd May 2024

British Canoeing - Core Coach Training

The new Coach Award is aimed at existing L1 Coaches/paddlesport Instructors and experienced recreational or competition paddlers wanting to gain their first formal coaching qualification. The new Coach award offers a great progression for instructors wishing to take their coaching to a higher level. The Coach Award provides over 18 different pathways based on craft, environment and competition. All the former Level 2 qualifications and endorsements are covered by the Coach Award. read more

As the new Coach Awards are direct entry, you can decide when you are ready to undertake the training, without a requirement for star tests/performance awards or other qualifications. This could considerably reduce the time and cost of becoming a qualified coach.

Training for the new Coach Award comprises a two-day Core Coach course and a two-day Discipline-Specific course, followed by a development period and then a one-day Assessment. The only formal pre-requisite for attending the core training is British Canoeing membership.

NSRA Air Rifle Tutor

The NSRA Youth Proficiency Scheme Tutor’s Diploma is the standard course to equip adult instructors to run both “taster” sessions in air rifle shooting and also a YPS course, which young people can use as part of their Duke of Edinburgh , Chief Scouts Award, etc The course will cover: Shooting accurately Safe use of the air rifles Different shooting positions Building an appropriate range Parts of the air rifle Basics on how to teach someone to operate an air rifle Legalities with use of air rifles read more

The course fee includes an NSRA course handbook and certification (valid for 5 years).

Previous experience

No experience necessary. Minimum age 18 to do the course but you must be 21 to lead on a range.

Cost – £170

Dates: No more dates for 2024, contact us on corporate@lopc.co.uk if you would like one scheduled.

Archery GB Instructor Award

This 2 day course is designed to qualify novices and beginners to deliver archery taster sessions and be able to provide individual coaching. The course includes: Loading and shooting Different styles and techniques Improving personal skill Coaching other people Safety on the range Setting up a range Choosing the right equipment Designing games read more

The course will cover all relevant technical and coaching skills, history and etiquette. You must attend all days of the course and it will be based at the Leicester Outdoor Pursuit Centre.

Minimum Age: 17 years old Maximum Number of People on Course: 12 Persons Cost: £250 (2 day course)

No experience necessary. 50% payment required to secure a place, together with completed registration form. No refund is given for failure to attend the course. Notice will be given prior to the course if it has insufficient numbers to go ahead.

Learning Outcome:

Qualify to deliver archery taster session at a beginner, entry level.

Typical Session Structure:

Theory and practice Learning styles both included within the course. Their is a practical shooting assessment to test the shooting competences of the candidate.

Typical Session Time: Start 9:30 am -5pm both days

Dates

29th, 30th June 2024

Paddlesport Safety Rescue (PSSR) Course

To do the course the candidate must have basic boat handling skills – this must not be your first time in a boat! However you do not need to hold any awards, just feel happy in a canoe/kayak. Candidates will need to be able to swim in normal suitable clothing. You will be expected to wear a buoyancy aid while on or near the water. You may be asked to wear a helmet for parts of the course if the course provider deems it appropriate. read more

Payment required to secure a place. Further to the courses fee, candidates will be required to pay a certification fee if you want for us to register you as completing the course. This is paid to LOPC at the end of the course and we then pay British Canoeing directly.

Learning Outcome:

Covering both Theory and Practical Skills, the objective of this training course is to teach simple and safe skills that can provide the tools to problem solve simple common paddling scenarios in flat/sheltered water regardless of the craft.

Candidates will learn:

Skills which will enable them to ensure the safety of themselves and others

Appropriate rescue skills which can be used to help themselves and/or others in difficulty

For more information on the content covered please read the Syllabus.

The PSSR Training is also a pre-requisite of the British Canoeing Paddlesport Instructor Award.

Minimum Age: 14 years old Maximum Number of People on Course: 6 Persons Cost: £110 (Full day course)

(courses of larger numbers will be ran with multiple Coaches)

Typical Session Time: Start 9:30 am – 5pm

Dates

Monday 11th March 2024

Saturday 14th September 2024

Paddle Sport Leader

This qualification is for anyone who wants to lead groups on sheltered water. This qualification is a great enhancement to the Paddle Sport Instructor, stretching your remit from very sheltered to sheltered water, and working more remotely. There are separate training and assessment courses, with the expectation that having completed the training you then go on to gain experience and prepare for your assessment. However you can go straight on to assessment if you wish. read more

Training is a two day course that covers topics including:

Leadership theory and putting it into practice

Planning and preparing for a journey

Personal paddling skills

Decision making on the water

Rescues

Pre-requisites for assessment

British Canoeing membership and registration on to the award

Minimum age 16

Valid first aid certificate (1 day)

Valid Safeguarding training

Assessments typically run over two days, but can be fitted into one day. There needs to be a journey on open water and on a river, you will be assessed on the following areas:

Participant focused leadership skills

Personal paddling skills

Rescue skills

Underpinning background knowledge, understanding and experience

Cost

£190 for either training or assessment.

Dates

Training Course

2nd, 3rd March 2024

28th, 29th September 2024

Assessment

23rd, 24th March 2024

19th, 20th October 2024