Step by step · 9 guides

Kayaking and rafting: from first paddle to coach

Start with your first paddle, then build your own skills and learn safety and rescue. From there, pick a track: teaching and coaching, leading on white water, rafting or racing. Every step is here in order.

Quick links

Prices

What it costs

Experience day
£45 to £90 per person
Become qualified
£220 to £500 (Paddle UK instructor to White Water Leader)
Hourly
£35 to £60 an hour with a coach

Typical prices, checked October 2026. The club or coach sets and bills the price.

Governing body

Competitions

Start here

  1. Step 1: How to start kayaking and white water rafting in the UKHow to start kayaking and white water rafting in the UK. Then pick a track.Read the guide →

Paddling skills track

Every other track builds on these two steps, except rafting, which needs only step 3.

  1. Step 2: Paddle Awards and Personal Performance Awards: build your own paddlingPaddle Awards and Personal Performance Awards: build your own paddling.Read the guide →
  2. Step 3: Paddlesport Safety and Rescue and White Water Safety: the rescue coursesPaddlesport Safety and Rescue and White Water Safety: the rescue courses.Read the guide →

Teaching and coaching track

After steps 2 and 3.

  1. Step 4: Paddlesport Instructor: run your first taster sessionsPaddlesport Instructor: run your first taster sessions.Read the guide →
  2. Step 5: Coach Award and Performance Coach: coach paddlers properlyCoach Award and Performance Coach: coach paddlers properly.Read the guide →

Leading track

After steps 2 and 3. White Water Safety (step 3) is the prerequisite.

  1. Step 6: White Water Leader: lead groups on grade 2(3) riversWhite Water Leader: lead groups on grade 2(3) rivers.Read the guide →

Rafting track

After step 3.

  1. Step 7: Raft Guide and rafting races: guide groups or race as a teamRaft Guide and rafting races: guide groups or race as a team.Read the guide →

Racing track

After step 2.

  1. Step 8: Kayak and canoe racing in the UK: pick your disciplineKayak and canoe racing in the UK: pick your discipline.Read the guide →

For everyone

  1. Step 9: Kayaking in the UK: prices, who runs what, licences and safetyKayaking in the UK: prices, who runs what, licences and safety.Read the guide →

Ready to start? The club map lists some of the UK clubs for this sport, or use the enquiry form to have a coach found for you.