Paddle Sports Stage 1 Activity Badge

Paddle Sports Stage 1 Activity Badge

Paddle sports are a fantastic, fun way to explore rivers, canals and lakes. You can build on your skills in either a canoe or a kayak, working with other people if you need to.

How to earn the badge:

1. Identify different types of paddle craft.

2. Name three places you could safely go canoeing or kayaking.

3. Take part in a warm up activity to prepare you for canoeing or kayaking. You could practice balancing whilst kneeling, getting in and out of a boat or practicing a paddling action.

4. Dress properly for your chosen activity. Show you know the  importance of buoyancy aids and how to put one on correctly.

5. Take part in a taster session that covers:

• naming equipment used and the parts of the boat
• getting into and out of a boat safely
• balancing a boat
• manoeuvring your boat in different directions, including moving forward

If you have achieved the British Canoeing's Paddle Power Start you can automatically gain this badge.

Top Tips

You can do most of these steps without actually being on the water. But we think it's best to do them as part of a practical paddle sports activity.