
BCAB SUP Tidal Leader Assessment
FROM £250 PER PERSON
51.6762° N, 4.9184° W
This one or two-day BCAB integrated practical assessment for the BCAB SUP Tidal Leadership Award takes place in the dynamic environment of the Pembrokeshire Coast.
Over one or two days, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate your personal paddling skills, tidal planning, navigation, equipment awareness, environmental awareness and supporting knowledge. You will plan and lead a journey with a group of 3-6 mock student paddlers, showing that you can effectively navigate and manage problems as they arise, perform rescues where appropriate and create a calm, supportive and inspiring learning environment throughout.
The assessment will culminate with concise feedback and an action plan to enable continued progression with your paddling and leadership skills, ideally coupled with receiving your BCAB SUP Tidal Leader Award.

Assessment Content +
The SUP Tidal Leader award is for confident paddlers who want to safely lead others on coastal and estuary trips. It builds on your existing skills, enabling you to take others out in up to force 3 winds, with no restrictions on tidal movement or flow.
We do everything we can to take the stress out of assessments, we are focused on the journey and not the destination. The experience will be safe, engaging and enjoyable, with you at the heart of the process, involving you in as much of the decision making as possible.
Over the one or two days we will explore the environments within the remit of the award, sheltered bays and simple coastlines and estuarine environments.
By the end of the assessment, you will have to demonstrate knowledge and skills in three areas:
- Participant focused leadership skills
- Personal paddling skills
- Rescue skills
Before your assessment you will need to be able show that you can navigate and plan for tidal movement in your journey planning, you can do this a number of ways:
- British Canoeing Awarding Body Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning (CNTP)
- British Canoeing Awarding Body – Weather, Tides, Surf & Swell and Navigation modules (Available Spring 2025)
- Acceptable alternatives for other awarding organisations e.g RYA (see our full list here)
- Apply for Accreditation of Prior Learning
LEADERSHIP REGISTRATION
Registration is a process for leaders who are planning to attend a Leadership Assessment course. The purpose of Registration is to confirm you hold all prerequisites, it’s quick and confirmation is sent straight to your inbox*.
This should then be shared with the assessor to confirm eligibility for assessment. It also gives you peace of mind that you have everything you need in place and you can focus on enjoying your assessment.
Please do not try to Register unless you hold all prerequisites:
- You need to be at least 16 years of age to register.
- Safeguarding Training (dated within the last 3 years).
- 2 day First Aid (dated within the last 3 years).
- Weather, Tides, Surf and Swell and Navigation for Paddlers modules/eLearning OR Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning.
- Full National Association Membership.

Searching Availability…
Times: 09:00 – 17:00
Duration : 1 or 2 Days
Dates : See calendar
Cost : £250 per person
If none of the scheduled dates work for you, please feel free to contact us and organise an alternative.
The course requires a minimum of 2 people to run.

OTHER INFORMATION
Experience level? +
To attend this course, you should:
- Be comfortable in and on the water
- Be able to swim or be happy to float
- Have personal SUP skills and some rescue skills (if unsure please contact us)
- Full National Association membership.
Age restrictions? +
The course is suitable for all ages above 16 years old. Any paddlers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Who is this course for? +
With the SUP Tidal Leader award, you’ll be equipped to guide SUP trips in coastal and estuary settings, prioritising safety and enjoyment for everyone in your group. Trips can range from educational sessions and team outings to pure explorations of tidal environments. Whether working independently or as part of a club or organisation, you’ll have the skills to make each trip memorable. This course is for paddlers ready to be assessed for the Leadership Award.
Qualifications gained? +
This is a professional leadership assessment course, if you are successful you will be awarded the BCAB SUP Tidal Leader Award.
Where? +
You’ll meet at our base near Solva to get kitted up (exact location will be shared in your confirmation of booking) and we’ll head to a nearby harbour which we’ve chosen to best suit the conditions on the day.
Kit Provided +
- If you have your own kit please bring it along with you
- The use of one of our fleet of high quality NRS Inflatable SUPs
- Touring paddling jacket
- Personnel PFD (floatation vest)
- Paddle
- Drybag
- Long John wetsuit
What to Bring +
In your confirmation of booking, you’ll receive a full list of basic items to bring on the day e.g. bathers to wear under the wetsuit, a water bottle, a towel, old shoes or wetsuit boots etc. Please bring food and water for the day.