Waterside Specialist (Paddle sport assistant)
Our Waterside Specialists help maintain the sustainability of the waterways by giving higher levels of skills through their volunteering.
As a volunteer paddle assistant, you will be responsible for assisting in the delivery of community-based canoe and paddle board sessions to members of the public.
These sessions will take place on a stretch of canal from Standedge Visitor Centre and tunnel to lock 42 near Marsden train station but may also be on other sites around the Huddersfield Narrow/ Broad canal and the Rochdale canal.
Each session will include setting up for a session, safety briefing, kitting up a group and getting afloat, initial familiarisation activities, games and activities to support learning and how to use mini journeys to inspire adventure and exploration. After a session, the assistant would also be required to help pack up and sort the paddle kit for the next session.
As an assistant, you will be required to help manage the safety of participants and provide guidance on how to control the canoe/paddle board.
The aim of the sessions is to promote paddling activities, and they are essentially safe fun introductory sessions to allow participants to enjoy their experience on the water.
The successful candidates will be given training by qualified instructors, which will allow them to develop their personal paddle skills in preparation to complete their Paddle Sport Instructor qualification with Paddle UK.
The Canal and Rivers Trust will cover the costs of training provided that the candidate will commit to delivering an agreed number of sessions over an agreed period.
We have a limited number of positions available due to the training elements of the role. For this role there will be a candidate selection process, and potential volunteers will be invited to Standedge to undergo a basic assessment of their competency.
Suitable candidates should have a passion for the outdoors and be willing to commit to delivering several paddle sessions over a year.