Advanced Sea Kayak Leader Training - Assessment Preparation 2nd - 4th November 2026

Three-day training course with Stuart Leslie | Anglesey, North Wales

Prepare for your Advanced Sea Kayak Leader assessment through three focused days of practical training in the challenging tidal waters around Anglesey.

This course is designed for experienced sea kayakers who are working towards the Paddle UK/British Canoeing Advanced Sea Kayak Leader Award or who want to develop their leadership in advanced conditions. Working with Stuart Leslie, you will lead real journeys, manage realistic scenarios and receive individual feedback on your current performance and priorities for further development.

Course content

The exact programme will be shaped around the group, weather and sea conditions, but is likely to include:

• Planning and leading journeys in advanced tidal environments
• Leadership styles, positioning and decision-making
• Managing groups in strong tidal flow, rough water and exposed coastline
• Practical navigation and interpreting forecasts
• Selecting suitable venues, routes and contingency plans
• Personal paddling performance in advanced conditions
• Incident prevention and management
• Towing systems and assisted rescues
• Managing incapacitated or separated paddlers
• Effective communication and group control
• Assessment-style leadership scenarios
• Individual feedback and personal action planning

Who is it for?

This course is intended for capable and experienced sea kayakers who are considering an Advanced Sea Kayak Leader assessment.  

You should arrive with:

• Strong personal paddling skills in rough water and tidal environments
• Experience of planning and undertaking exposed sea journeys
• Reliable self-rescue and assisted-rescue skills
• Previous experience of leading or supporting groups
• Appropriate personal paddling and safety equipment
• A suitable level of fitness for three full days on the water

This is not an introduction to advanced sea kayaking. If you are unsure whether your experience is appropriate, please contact us before booking.

What you will gain

By the end of the course, you should have:

• A clearer understanding of the Advanced Sea Kayak Leader assessment standard
• Experience leading in realistic advanced-water situations
• Improved judgement, group management and decision-making
• Honest, constructive feedback on your current readiness
• An individual action plan identifying what to work on before assessment

Completion of this course does not guarantee assessment success. Its purpose is to help you understand the expected standard, consolidate your skills and make an informed decision about when you are ready to undertake assessment. The formal assessment considers personal paddling, rescue skills, safety, leadership, group management and theory. 

About You Coach

Stuart is an experienced professional sea kayak guide with extensive knowledge of tidal waters. His practical, paddler-centred approach creates a supportive environment in which candidates can experiment, make decisions and receive direct, useful feedback.

Course details

• Duration: Three full days
• Location: Anglesey, North Wales
• Coach: Stuart Leslie
• Dates: 2nd - 4th November 2026
• Course fee: £315 per person
• Maximum group size: 4
• Meeting point: Holyhead, Anglesey
• Equipment: Boats and paddles available if needed. 
• Accommodation: Not included 

What to bring

Participants will need a fully equipped sea kayak, suitable clothing, helmet, buoyancy aid, spraydeck, paddle and spare paddle, towing equipment, navigation equipment, safety equipment, food and drink for each day.

A complete joining-information pack will be provided before the course.

Booking

Places are deliberately limited to provide meaningful leadership opportunities and individual feedback.

To book, or to discuss whether the course is suitable for you, contact:

SKUK Adventures
info@skukadventures.com

+44 (0) 7853666827