Student Safety & Leadership Weekend 10-12 October 2025

June 6, 2025

We are pleased to announce the third annual Student Safety & Leadership Weekend will take place 10-12 October 2025 at Glenmore Lodge.

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What is it all about?

Developing the confidence and ability to safely plan and lead club events. This opportunity is aimed at university and college club members of all abilities to increase their skills and knowledge and to equip those who are in a position of responsibility in a club with safety and leadership principles which will filter down to club members. We also encourage students new to paddlesport to attend as there will be opportunities to experience a variety of environments and disciplines throughout the weekend.


Who is it for?

Students! Paddle Scotland and Glenmore Lodge are proud to organise this safety and leadership training weekend, specifically aimed at Scottish university and college students in Paddle Scotland affiliated clubs. To attend the event where you will learn to paddle safely, lead fun events, and plan club activities you must be a Paddle Scotland member and linked to one of the affiliated student clubs. 


What is it?

A sociable weekend of paddling and developing on/off water safety skills from a range of workshops and National Governing Body Safety Awards. Suitable for all skill levels & abilities.


The focus of the 2025 event is to provide safety awards in a variety of environments including sheltered water, white water and advanced white water. Safety awards are a pre-requisite for some leadership awards and this weekend will give you the opportunity to obtain them. 


Why join?

This is a perfect opportunity to gain confidence, build skills and increase safety knowledge. Plus:

  • Opportunity to complete the Paddlesport Safety & Rescue, SUP Safer, White Water Safety or Advanced White Water Safety courses
  • Meet like minded clubs, students and individuals - this is an opportunity to build long term relationships which could lead to more exciting paddling activities, and joint social events or trips
  • Be inspired & enthused to organise trips, share skills, and paddle more with your club
  • Bargain prices to spend a weekend in a stunning location!

When?

The weekend kicks off Friday evening with optional dinner and workshops, followed by an action packed schedule for Saturday and Sunday.


Cost

This is a subsidised event supported by Paddle Scotland and Glenmore Lodge to support student clubs to improve safety and leadership. The total cost for the residential weekend is £95, discounted to £80 for bookings before 9am on 4 July 2025. There is also the opportunity to pay in instalments. 

The package includes Friday and Saturday night B&B, Friday night workshop, Saturday and Sunday full day workshops, transport during the event, Saturday evening dinner, lunch, refreshments and cake on both days, access to equipment if required. Dinner on Friday evening is not included.


Where? 

We are delighted to once again hold this year’s event at the National Outdoor Training Centre,  Glenmore Lodge, in the heart of the Cairngorms. Glenmore Lodge is easily reached by a variety of transportation options.


We encourage sustainable travel and plan to offer a pick-up from Aviemore train station on Friday late afternoon / early evening, returning on Sunday early evening. We also encourage car sharing. 

Accommodation is onsite, either in the main building or in the wooden chalets of Glenmore Lodge.


Bookings will close at midnight on 12 September 2025.

  • Friday Evening - 7-9pm

    Planning Trips Abroad

    Do you know a country's access laws or whether or not permits have to be sought before you can get onto a river? This classroom based workshop will look at the important logistics and requirements of planning a university paddling trip abroad.


    River Trip Planning

    Do you know where to get river levels from or how fast a river might spike after rain? Prior planning is really important to the success of any river trip and this classroom based workshop will examine all the vital pieces of information that are required to plan a successful and safe river trip.


    Rope Work for White Water Kayakers

    A look at simple, safe effective rope work for those operating on white water. This is a practical workshop covering throwlines, lengths of tapes and carabiners. If time allows it will also cover mechanical advantage, what to carry and where to carry it.

  • Saturday - 9:30am-4:30pm

    Paddlesport Safety & Rescue

    The Paddlesport Safety and Rescue Course aims to provide paddlers with the key safety and rescue skills required to operate safely and to be able to deal with common problems in a sheltered water environment.The course is designed for all paddlers irrespective of their chosen craft. The objective is to introduce, explore and practice simple strategies and safe skills that can provide the paddlers with the tools to solve common paddling issues.


    Sea Kayak Safety

    The Sea Kayak Safety Course aims to give you the skills and knowledge to keep yourself safe in your craft on the sea, suitable craft include sea kayaks, sea specific sit on tops and closed cockpit kayaks. So, whether you are paddling with friends or your club, or working towards a leadership assessment, this practical course is packed with safe practical solutions.

  • Sunday - 9:30am-4:30pm

    Intro to White Water Safety  

    The Introduction to White Water Safety course is designed to support paddlers to become effective group members in a moderate, white water (Grade 2) environment. This one day course is suitable for anyone starting out on their white water paddling journey, wanting to explore the role of an effective group member and learn simple strategies and safe skills that can provide the tools to solve common paddling issues.


    Sea Kayak Safety

    The Sea Kayak Safety Course aims to give you the skills and knowledge to keep yourself safe in your craft on the sea, suitable craft include sea kayaks, sea specific sit on tops and closed cockpit kayaks. So, whether you are paddling with friends or your club, or working towards a leadership assessment, this practical course is packed with safe practical solutions.

  • 2-Day workshops (Sat & Sun), 9:30am-4:30pm

    White Water Safety

    The White Water Safety Award is designed to support paddlers to be independent participants on grade 2(3) white water rivers.The fundamentals of safety and rescue will be taught on this workshop. Laying solid foundation is the cornerstone of development and this 2 day course will layer on skills and techniques which will help keep you safe in the white water environment. Paddlers will explore simple strategies and safe skills that can provide the tools to solve common paddling issues.


    Advanced White Water Safety 

    The Advanced White Water Safety Award is designed to support kayakers and canoeists on grade 3 and 4 white water rivers. Paddlers will explore simple strategies and safe skills that can provide the tools to solve common paddling issues. All modules are interactive, practical sessions, discussing and using equipment, and exploring possible solutions to common issues on grade 3 and 4 white water rivers.

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