Outdoor Instructor Training

The Paddle UK Discover Award is a foundational qualification designed to help new paddlers develop the decision-making and practical skills needed for a safe and fun time on sheltered water. Typically taken in a kayak, canoe, or SUP, the course focuses on equipment choice, basic stroke techniques, and understanding environmental factors to help participants progress toward becoming independent paddlers.

The Paddle UK Explore Award is an intermediate qualification that empowers paddlers to become independent by developing the skills and confidence to plan and execute their own adventures on sheltered water. Building on the Discover Award, this course allows participants to choose their own development path across various craft while focusing on advanced maneuvers, safety rescues, and decision-making based on weather and water conditions.

The Paddle UK Paddle Safer Award is a practical course designed to provide paddlers with the essential knowledge to stay safe in a sheltered water environment. Participants learn to choose appropriate equipment, understand environmental factors like weather and tides, and practice basic rescue techniques across various craft including kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards.

The Paddle UK Sea Kayak Award is a personal performance qualification that develops the skills, judgment, and decision-making needed for safe and successful journeys on the sea. Participants focus on boat handling, safety equipment, and rescue techniques while learning to operate independently in conditions with winds up to Beaufort Force 3 and tidal flows up to 1 knot. During this course we will explore areas for the Islands coast and also log longer journeys which are important for additional qualifications. 

The Paddle UK Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Sheltered Water Award is a personal performance qualification that develops the skills and judgment needed to plan and execute safe journeys on sheltered water. Participants learn to manage trips up to 200 metres from shore in winds up to Beaufort Force 3, focusing on technical proficiency in board control, self-rescue techniques, and making informed decisions based on weather and environmental conditions.

The Paddle UK Paddlesport Safety and Rescue course is a practical, one-day program designed to equip paddlers of all disciplines with the essential skills to handle common emergencies in a sheltered water environment. Through hands-on training, participants learn to perform self-rescues, assist other capsized paddlers, and use safety equipment like towlines and throw bags effectively across a variety of craft including kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards.

The Paddle UK Paddlesport Instructor Award is an instructor qualification designed for individuals who wish to lead safe and engaging taster or starter sessions in a very sheltered water environment. This two-day course focuses on developing the practical skills needed to kit up groups and use games or mini-journeys to introduce beginners to various craft, including kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards.

The Paddle UK Paddlesport Leader award is a leadership qualification that prepares individuals to guide groups of mixed craft on journeys within sheltered water environments. The training focuses on developing independent decision-making, group management skills, and the necessary rescue techniques to safely lead trips on slow-moving rivers or small lakes. Paddlepsort Leaders can also issue certicates including the Paddle Start and Paddle Dicover awards. 

The RYA Safety Boat is a two-day practical course designed for experienced powerboat drivers who want to provide safety cover for fleets of dinghies, windsurfers, and other small craft. Participants learn essential rescue techniques, including recovery from a lee shore, towing methods, and race management skills, which are required for those aspiring to become RYA Senior Instructors.

The RYA Powerboat Level 2 is a two-day foundational course teaching essential boat handling skills, including high-speed maneuvers and safety procedures. It is a widely recognized qualification that serves as the basis for the International Certificate of Competance

This assessment will take place later in the year, after the course finish date, to give time to build experience and log coasteering hours. Likely assessment dates will be August. 

The National Coasteering Charter (NCC) Leader course is the industry standard for guiding groups along the rugged intertidal zone. This training focuses on the essential skills needed to lead safe and exhilarating sessions, including:

• Group Management: Learning how to move groups safely through swell, surge, and varying tides.

• Technical Skills: Mastering safe jumping techniques, adventure swimming, and rock scrambling.

• Safety & Rescue: Developing specialized rescue skills specific to the rocky coastal environment, including throw-line work and casualty recovery.

• Environmental Awareness: Understanding local marine life, swell patterns, and weather forecasting to make informed "go/no-go" decisions.

The ERCA Ropes Course Instructor award is a qualification that trains individuals to safely operate and manage activities on traditional high ropes courses or adventure parks. Over a typical three- to five-day course, participants master essential skills such as standards, equipment maintenance, and emergency procedures to ensure participant safety in compliance with European standards.

The Mountain Training Lowland Leader award is a national qualification for leading groups through lowland terrain, inlcuding; woodland, coastal, and rural terrain. Over the training course you will learn about navigation, route planning, group safety and teh role of the leader. Oce assessmnet is completed thsi is the appropriate qualidication for supervising and leading Bronze and most Silver walking DOE expeditions. 

The 2 day lowland leader assessment can be arranged at the end of the course, subject to experience. It may be more approprite to arrange the assessment later in the yaer to give time to gain experience and develop leadership skills. 

Yes. Accomodation is included in a basic private en-suite room at our hostel in the Isle of Man 

1. Get in Touch: If you’re interested, drop us an email at admin@venturecentre.im or give us a call on 01624 814240 for an initial chat.

2. The Interview: Before committing to the course, we’ll arrange an informal interview. We prefer to do this in person so you can tour the centre, meet the team, and see first-hand where you’ll be training and staying.

3. Secure Your Spot: Once we’ve agreed the course is right for you, we will send over your application pack.

No experience of any activity is required before the course, We will deliver instruction and coaching of all activities, you just need to bring a willingness to learn and partake in activities in what can sometimes be challenging conditions. There is no guarantee of passing the qualiaifations and you may be encouraged to have additional practise of activities in your own time. 

The minimum age for the assessments on many of the qualifications is 18years old. If you are under 18 and interested in the course please contact us to discuss. 

Yes, you are welcome to arrange a date with us to come and stay at our centre, experience our activities and meet our staff. Just contact us and we will help arrange this.