General Aims

The Level 3 Paddlesurf Instructor Qualification aims to enable participants to:

  • Become qualified to instruct intermediate kayaking skills and lead groups of up to six people in small surf (2-3 feet/waist high). A Level 3 Paddlesurf Instructor is specifically not qualified to lead and/or instruct groups on reef breaks.
  • Become qualified to instruct basic kayaking skills and lead kayaking journeys on flat water with groups of up to 8 students.
  • Train and Assess for the Canoeing Ireland 1, 2 and 3 Paddlesurf Skills Awards.
  • Mentor Level 1, 2 and 3 Kayak Instructor trainees.
  • Have an awareness of the competitive canoeing disciplines.

Attendance Requirements

Requirements for attending a Level 3 Paddlesurf Instructor assessment:

  • Have Maintained registration as a Level 3 Paddlesurf Instructor trainee.

  • Have attended an approved Level 3 Paddlesurf Instructor Training Course or Programme as organised by the Canoeing Ireland within the 24 months period preceding a selected assessment date.
  • Recorded in a Level 3 Paddlesurf Instructor Logbook, following the completion of a Level 3 Paddlesurf Instructor Training Course at least 25 hours of instructional experience under the supervision of at least two registered Level 3 Paddlesurf Instructors or higher.
  • Recorded as part of the 25 hours supervised instructional experience on at least three different surf breaks assisting in the preparation of a group for a Level 3 Paddlesurf Skills Assessment. This group must consist of at least three participants.
  • Assist on two Level 3 Paddlesurf Skills Assessments.
  • Participate in three Irish Canoeing Competitions or hold a Level 3 Skills Award in another discipline.
  • Possess a current and Canoeing Ireland approved First Aid Certificate (REC 3, WFA 3, or equivalent).
  • Have completed an Sport Ireland approved Child Protection Awareness Workshop.
  • Be recommended for assessment by a registered Level 3 Paddlesurf Instructor or higher.
  • Returned to the Canoeing Ireland Office a completed Level 3 Paddlesurf Instructor Logbook accompanied by all the pre-assessment requirements and a Level 3 Paddlesurf Instructor Assessment application no later than three weeks prior to a selected assessment date.
  • Completed your garda vetting application.

Training Course Outline

The Level 3 Paddlesurf Instructor Qualification requires that a candidate attend a registered four-day Level 3 Paddlesurf Instructor training course (or a programme of similar duration), and a two-day Assessment.

Applying to attend a Training Course

Before applying to attend a Level 3 Paddlesurf Instructor Training Course, a candidate must:

  1. Hold a Level 2 Kayak Instructor Qualification.
  2. Hold the Level 4 Paddlesurf Skills Award.
  3. Be registered with the Canoeing Ireland.
  4. Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application.
  5. Submitted your Garda vetting form.
  6. Have unrestricted access to a fully equipped surf kayak/waveski, personal equipment, and additional equipment as listed for a Level 3 Paddlesurf Instructor Assessment.

Level 3 Paddlesurf Instructor Qualification Guidelines

  • It is recommended that Instructors other than the Instructor who has run the training course leading to the assessment assess a Level 3 Paddlesurf Instructor Qualification. Notwithstanding this, a Level 3 Paddlesurf Instructor Qualification can only be assessed by members of the Level 3 Paddlesurf Instructor Assessor Panel.
  • Clear guidelines should be given in writing should a candidate fail an assessment as to the areas that need to be improved on.
  • Candidates cannot depend on any assistance (material or practical) during the course of an assessment.
  • No other award may be assessed at the same time as the Level 3 Paddlesurf Instructor Qualification.
  • The candidate/assessor ratio should be a maximum of 6:2
  • A Level 3 Paddlesurf Instructor Assessment must be assessed by a minimum of two members of the Level 3 Paddlesurf Instructor Assessor Panel.

Course Documents