What is the minimum age?

Minimum age is 14 years old for course participants.

How long does the course last?

The course runs over two days with practical, on-water sessions throughout.

How much does the course cost?

The listed price is £220 per person; Paddle UK pre-course fees are paid separately via the Paddle UK portal.

Do I need prior paddling experience?

No prior instructor experience is required; the course supports both newer and more experienced paddlers, though basic paddling competence helps.

What happens in bad weather?

Tutors will adapt sessions for adverse weather or postpone if conditions compromise safety; check booking terms for cancellation details.

Paddleboard Instructor Course at Sibson Lake — Become a Confident SUP Leader | SUP | Water Activities

Q: Where do we meet?

Meeting point is Sibson Lake, Great N Rd, Stibbington, Peterborough PE8 6LS — arrive 30 minutes early.

Sibson Lake, on Great North Road in Stibbington near Peterborough, is the setting for a focused, practical Paddleboard Instructor Course designed to turn paddlers into confident session leaders. Over two days at this freshwater lake you’ll build core teaching skills — safety, planning, group management and fun activities — all under the guidance of experienced tutors. The course runs from the meeting point at Sibson Lake, Great N Rd, Stibbington, Peterborough PE8 6LS.

This qualification is the one used by outdoor centres, clubs and organisations to support activity delivery. The syllabus moves beyond personal technique to cover preparing a group for the water, kit selection, deployment and shore routines. Expect to practice a range of motivating activities and games, learn how to structure short journeys to inspire participants, and pick up quick fixes for common paddling problems. Tutors tailor feedback to your level, so whether you’re relatively new to stand-up paddleboarding or already experienced, the programme accelerates teaching ability while allowing time to progress your own paddling.

Key features at Sibson Lake include broad open water for drills, reed-fringed shallows for low-wind shelter, and a gently sloping launch that makes group starts efficient. The low-lying Fenland setting creates calm conditions that are ideal for learning edge control, rescues and small-group coaching. Wildlife such as grey heron and kingfisher are commonly seen along the margins, so the course also touches on practical ways to run respectful sessions in sensitive habitats.

Practicalities: the course lasts two days, costs £220 per person, and requires a minimum age of 14. Candidates must pay Paddle UK pre-course fees directly on the Paddle UK portal; check that before arrival. Organisers ask you to arrive 30 minutes early so check-in and kit prep don’t eat into lesson time. Group size and accessibility details are provided at booking; if you need specifics, use the booking reference in your confirmation.

Why this course stands out: the emphasis is on transferable teaching tools rather than a single technique, and tutors are experienced with centre-level delivery and public sessions. You’ll leave with a toolkit of games, short-journey plans and risk-management approaches that work on lakes, slow rivers and sheltered coastal inlets. For anyone who wants to teach safe, engaging paddle sessions around Peterborough’s waterways, this course is a highly practical, community-minded step toward running taster events, club nights or activity programmes.