The sea ranges from easy conditions close inshore with ready access to safe landings to open ocean with heavy swells, surf, and few safe landings. Away from the shelter of land, wind can generate choppy conditions. Knowledge of tides and weather is essential.

Who: The holder of this qualification has demonstrated the skills and knowledge to personally paddle a SOT in Coastal conditions:

  • Outside of estuaries, embayments or other sheltering reefs or islands
  • Areas of exposed coastline that are simple, not involving overfalls or tidal races
  • Maximum of 1 nautical mile from shore
  • Wind conditions below Fresh Winds(17kn)
  • Breaking (whitecapping) waves (sea) up to 0.5m
  • Surf to 0.5m

Designed for those paddlers that seek to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills to safely and competently undertake a journey without Guide or  instructor supervision.

Course Duration: Training Course:1.5 days, Assessment:0.5 days

Costs(RRP): Training Course: $250, Assessment: $175.

20% discount on course RRP for all Paddle Australia members. For other discount options and group quotes please contact your local training provider.

Pre requisites: NIL, However to gain the qualification a minimum logbook is required, these requirements can be found in the Assessment Guidelines. Please pay particular attention to the logbook requirements that need to be logged in your Paddlelog

What Craft: This Qualification is designed for SOT craft only

Equipment: It is expected that participants will supply their own equipment including craft, life jackets, paddles etc. However if you do require equipment please contact your local provider.

Assessment:

  • Practical: Completed through the training/assessment day
  • Quiz: An online quiz is made available to participants upon registration that needs to be completed prior to the practical program

Program enrollment: All current programs can be found here. If there is not one in your area or would like to organise a program for a group, please contact your local State Paddle Association.

Coastal Skills qualifications can be delivered and assessed by any current PA Sea Instructor, you can search for a local PA paddle instructor here

What will you learn: What you will learn and be assessed on can be found in the Assessment Guidelines below.

Who: The holder of this qualification has demonstrated the skills and knowledge to guide groups of novices on day based activities on SOTs in Coastal conditions:

  • Outside of estuaries, embayments or other sheltering reefs or islands
  • Areas of exposed coastline that are simple, not involving overfalls or tidal races
  • Maximum of 1 nautical mile from shore
  • Wind conditions below Fresh Winds(17kn)
  • Breaking (whitecapping) waves (sea) up to 0.5m
  • Surf to 0.5m

The Coastal Guide is for people seeking a professional certification in a Coastal paddling environments using SOT craft. The Paddle Australia Qualification Scheme (PAQS) course is the industry benchmark certification designed to meet the needs of the paddling Guide and Instructor industry for education, recreational and tourism sectors nation wide.

Course Duration: Training Course:2 days, Assessment:1 day

Costs(RRP): Training Course: $395, Assessment: $295.

20% discount on course RRP for all Paddle Australia members. For other discount options and group quotes please contact your local training provider.

Pre requisites: Participants knowledge and skills should be at the level of Coastal skills. To gain the qualification a minimum logbook is required, these requirements can be found in the Assessment Guidelines. Please pay particular attention to the logbook requirements that need to be logged in your Paddlelog

What Craft: This Qualification is designed for SOT craft only.

Equipment:  It is expected that participants will supply their own equipment including craft, life jackets, paddles etc and present as a Guide with appropriate equipment ( First Aid Kit, Repair kit etc). If you do require equipment please contact your local provider.

Assessment:

  • Practical: Completed through the training/assessment day
  • Quiz: An online quiz is made available to participants upon registration that needs to be completed prior to the practical program
  • Project: An online project is made available to participants upon registration that needs to be completed prior to the practical program

Program enrollment: All current programs can be found here. If there is not one in your area or would like to organise a program for a group, please contact your local State Paddle Association.

What will you learn: What you will learn and be assessed on can be found in the Assessment Guidelines below.

Who: The holder of this qualification has demonstrated the skills and knowledge to personally paddle a Sea Kayak in Enclosed Sea conditions:

  • Inside of estuaries, harbours, embayments or other sheltering reefs or islands
  • Maximum of 2 nautical miles from shore
  • Wind conditions below Fresh Winds(17kn)
  • Breaking (whitecapping) waves (sea) up to 0.5m
  • No surf

Designed for those paddlers that seek to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills to safely and competently undertake a journey without Guide or  instructor supervision.

Course Duration: Training Course:2 days, Assessment:0.5 day

Costs(RRP): Training Course: $320, Assessment: $175.

20% discount on course RRP for all Paddle Australia members. For other discount options and group quotes please contact your local training provider.

Pre requisites: NIL, However to gain the qualification a minimum logbook is required, these requirements can be found in the Assessment Guidelines. Please pay particular attention to the logbook requirements that need to be logged in your Paddlelog

What Craft: You need to determine which craft you will be assessed in, as the qualification is craft specific.

Equipment: It is expected that participants will supply their own equipment including craft, life jackets, paddles etc. However if you do require equipment please contact your local provider.

Assessment:

  • Practical: Completed through the training/assessment day
  • Quiz: An online quiz is made available to participants upon registration that needs to be completed prior to the practical program

Program enrollment: All current programs can be found here. If there is not one in your area or would like to organise a program for a group, please contact your local State Paddle Association.

Enclosed Sea Skills qualifications can be delivered and assessed by any current PA Enclosed Sea or Sea Instructor, you can search for a local PA paddle instructor here

What will you learn: What you will learn and be assessed on can be found in the Assessment Guidelines below.

Who: The holder of this qualification has demonstrated the skills and knowledge to personally paddle a Kayak in Coastal conditions:

  • Outside of estuaries, harbours, embayments or other sheltering reefs or islands
  • Areas of exposed coastline that are simple, not involving overfalls, tidal races, difficult landings or open crossings
  • Maximum of 1.5 nautical miles from shore
  • Wind conditions below Fresh Winds(17kn)
  • Breaking (whitecapping) waves (sea) up to 0.5m
  • Surf to 0.5m

Designed for those paddlers that seek to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills to safely and competently undertake a journey without Guide or  instructor supervision.

Course Duration: Training Course:2 days, Assessment:0.5 day

Costs(RRP): Training Course: $320, Assessment: $175.

20% discount on course RRP for all Paddle Australia members. For other discount options and group quotes please contact your local training provider.

Pre requisites: NIL, However to gain the qualification a minimum logbook is required, these requirements can be found in the Assessment Guidelines. Please pay particular attention to the logbook requirements that need to be logged in your Paddlelog

What Craft: This qualification is design for Sea Kayaking only.

Equipment: It is expected that participants will supply their own equipment including craft, life jackets, paddles etc. However if you do require equipment please contact your local provider.

Assessment:

  • Practical: Completed through the training/assessment day
  • Quiz: An online quiz is made available to participants upon registration that needs to be completed prior to the practical program

Program enrollment: All current programs can be found here. If there is not one in your area or would like to organise a program for a group, please contact your local State Paddle Association.

Intro to Sea Skills qualifications can be delivered and assessed by any current PA Sea Instructor, you can search for a local PA paddle instructor here

What will you learn: What you will learn and be assessed on can be found in the Assessment Guidelines below.

Who: The holder of this qualification has demonstrated the skills and knowledge to personally paddle a Sea Kayak in Sea conditions:

  • Outside of estuaries, harbours, embayments or other sheltering reefs or islands
  • Areas of exposed coastline that are simple, not involving overfalls or tidal races
  • Difficult landings or open crossings may be included
  • Maximum of 5 nautical miles from shore
  • Wind conditions below Strong Wind Warning (26kn)
  • Breaking (whitecapping) waves (sea) up to 1.0m
  • Surf to 1.0m

Designed for those paddlers that seek to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills to safely and competently undertake a journey without Guide or instructor supervision.

Course Duration: Training Course:2 days, Assessment:1 day

Costs(RRP): Training Course: $320, Assessment: $225.

20% discount on course RRP for all Paddle Australia members. For other discount options and group quotes please contact your local training provider.

Pre requisites: NIL, However to gain the qualification a minimum logbook is required, these requirements can be found in the Assessment Guidelines. Please pay particular attention to the logbook requirements that need to be logged in your Paddlelog

What Craft: This qualification is design for Sea Kayaking only.

Equipment: It is expected that participants will supply their own equipment including craft, life jackets, paddles etc. However if you do require equipment please contact your local provider.

Assessment:

  • Practical: Completed through the training/assessment day
  • Quiz: An online quiz is made available to participants upon registration that needs to be completed prior to the practical program

Program enrollment: All current programs can be found here. If there is not one in your area or would like to organise a program for a group, please contact your local State Paddle Association.

Sea Skills qualifications can be delivered and assessed by any current PA Sea Instructor, you can search for a local PA paddle instructor here

What will you learn: What you will learn and be assessed on can be found in the Assessment Guidelines below.

Who: The holder of this qualification is qualified to guide groups of Sea Skills paddlers on activity and day based programs in sea kayaks in Sea conditions

  • Outside of estuaries, harbours, embayments or other sheltering reefs or islands
  • Areas of exposed coastline that are simple, not involving overfalls or tidal races
  • Difficult landings or open crossings may be included
  • Maximum of 5 nautical miles from shore
  • Wind conditions below Strong Wind Warning (26kn)
  • Breaking (whitecapping) waves (sea) up to 1.0m
  • Surf to 1.0m

The Sea Leader is for people that are leading in a club environment in Sea kayaks

Course Duration: Two days Approx 9am – 5pm

Pre requisites: Participants knowledge and skills should be at the level of Sea skills. To gain the qualification a minimum logbook is required, these requirements can be found in the Assessment Guidelines. Please pay particular attention to the logbook requirements that need to be logged in your Paddlelog

What Craft: This qualification is designed for Sea Kayaks only

Equipment:  It is expected that participants will supply their own equipment including craft, life jackets, paddles etc and present as a Leader with appropriate equipment ( First Aid Kit, Repair kit etc). If you do require equipment please contact your local provider.

Assessment:

  • Practical: Completed through the training/assessment day
  • Quiz: An online quiz is made available to participants upon registration that needs to be completed prior to the practical program
  • Project: An online project is made available to participants upon registration that needs to be completed prior to the practical program

Program enrollment: All current programs can be found here. If there is not one in your area or would like to organise a program for a group, please contact your local State Paddle Association.

What will you learn: What you will learn and be assessed on can be found in the Assessment Guidelines below.

Who: The holder of this qualification has demonstrated the skills and knowledge to guide groups of novices on day based activities in Sea Kayaks in Enclosed Sea conditions:

  • Inside of estuaries, harbours, embayments or other sheltering reefs or islands
  • Maximum of 1.5 nautical miles from shore
  • Wind conditions below Fresh Winds(17kn)
  • Breaking (whitecapping) waves (sea) up to 0.5m
  • No surf

The Enclosed Sea Guide is for people seeking a professional certification in a Enclosed paddling environments using Kayak or SOT craft. The Paddle Australia Qualification Scheme (PAQS) course is the industry benchmark certification designed to meet the needs of the paddling Guide and Instructor industry for education, recreational and tourism sectors nation wide.

Course Duration: Training Course:2 days, Assessment:1 day

Costs(RRP): Training Course: $395, Assessment: $295.

20% discount on course RRP for all Paddle Australia members. For other discount options and group quotes please contact your local training provider.

Pre requisites: Participants knowledge and skills should be at the level of Enclosed Sea skills. To gain the qualification a minimum logbook is required, these requirements can be found in the Assessment Guidelines. Please pay particular attention to the logbook requirements that need to be logged in your Paddlelog

What Craft: You need to determine which craft you will be assessed in, as the qualification is craft specific.

Equipment:  It is expected that participants will supply their own equipment including craft, life jackets, paddles etc and present as a Guide with appropriate equipment ( First Aid Kit, Repair kit etc). If you do require equipment please contact your local provider.

Assessment:

  • Practical: Completed through the training/assessment day
  • Quiz: An online quiz is made available to participants upon registration that needs to be completed prior to the practical program
  • Project: An online project is made available to participants upon registration that needs to be completed prior to the practical program

Program enrollment: All current programs can be found here. If there is not one in your area or would like to organise a program for a group, please contact your local State Paddle Association.

What will you learn: What you will learn and be assessed on can be found in the Assessment Guidelines below.

Who: The holder of this qualification has demonstrated the skills and knowledge to guide and instruct groups of novices on day based activities in Sea Kayaks in Enclosed Sea conditions:

  • Inside of estuaries, harbours, embayments or other sheltering reefs or islands
  • Maximum of 1.5 nautical miles from shore
  • Wind conditions below Fresh Winds(17kn)
  • Breaking (whitecapping) waves (sea) up to 0.5m
  • No surf

The Enclosed Sea  Instructor is for people seeking a professional certification in Enclosed Sea environments. The Paddle Australia Qualification Scheme (PAQS) course is the industry benchmark certification designed to meet the needs of the paddling Guide and Instructor industry for education, recreational and tourism sectors nation wide.

Course Duration: Training Course:2 days, Assessment:1 day

Costs(RRP): Training Course: $395, Assessment: $295.

20% discount on course RRP for all Paddle Australia members. For other discount options and group quotes please contact your local training provider.

Pre requisites: Participants knowledge and skills should be at the level of Enclosed Sea Guide. Plus to gain the qualification a minimum logbook is required, these requirements can be found in the Assessment Guidelines. Please pay particular attention to the logbook requirements that need to be logged in your Paddlelog

What Craft: This qualification is designed for Sea Kayaks only

Equipment: It is expected that participants will supply their own equipment including craft, life jackets, paddles etc and present as an Instructor with appropriate equipment ( First Aid Kit, Repair kit etc).If you do require equipment please contact your local provider.

Assessment:

  • Practical: Completed through the training/assessment day
  • Quiz: An online quiz is made available to participants upon registration that needs to be completed prior to the practical program
  • Project: An online project is made available to participants upon registration that needs to be completed prior to the practical program

Program enrollment: All current programs can be found here. If there is not one in your area or would like to organise a program for a group, please contact your local State Paddle Association.

What will you learn: What you will learn and be assessed on can be found in the Assessment Guidelines below.

Who: The holder of this qualification has demonstrated the skills and knowledge to guide groups of novices on day based activities in Sea Kayaks in Sea conditions:

  • Outside of estuaries, harbours, embayments or other sheltering reefs or islands
  • Areas of exposed coastline that are simple, not involving overfalls or tidal races
  • Difficult landings or open crossings may be included
  • Maximum of 5 nautical miles from shore
  • Wind conditions below Strong Wind Warning (26kn)
  • Breaking (whitecapping) waves (sea) up to 1.0m
  • Surf to 1.0m

The Sea Guide is for people seeking a professional certification in a Sea environments in a Sea kayak. The Paddle Australia Qualification Scheme (PAQS) course is the industry benchmark certification designed to meet the needs of the paddling Guide and Instructor industry for education, recreational and tourism sectors nation wide.

Course Duration: Training Course:3 days, Assessment:2 days

Costs(RRP): Training Course: $495, Assessment: $395.

20% discount on course RRP for all Paddle Australia members. For other discount options and group quotes please contact your local training provider.

Pre requisites: Participants knowledge and skills should be at the level of Sea skills. To gain the qualification a minimum logbook is required, these requirements can be found in the Assessment Guidelines. Please pay particular attention to the logbook requirements that need to be logged in your Paddlelog

What Craft: This qualification is designed for Sea Kayaks only

Equipment:  It is expected that participants will supply their own equipment including craft, life jackets, paddles etc and present as a Guide with appropriate equipment ( First Aid Kit, Repair kit etc). If you do require equipment please contact your local provider.

Assessment:

  • Practical: Completed through the training/assessment day
  • Quiz: An online quiz is made available to participants upon registration that needs to be completed prior to the practical program
  • Project: An online project is made available to participants upon registration that needs to be completed prior to the practical program

Program enrollment: All current programs can be found here. If there is not one in your area or would like to organise a program for a group, please contact your local State Paddle Association.

What will you learn: What you will learn and be assessed on can be found in the Assessment Guidelines below.

Who: The holder of this qualification has demonstrated the skills and knowledge to guide and instruct groups of novices on day based activities in Sea Kayaks in Sea conditions:

  • Outside of estuaries, harbours, embayments or other sheltering reefs or islands
  • Areas of exposed coastline that are simple, not involving overfalls or tidal races
  • Difficult landings or open crossings may be included
  • Maximum of 5 nautical miles from shore
  • Wind conditions below Strong Wind Warning (26kn)
  • Breaking (whitecapping) waves (sea) up to 1.5m
  • Surf to 1.0m

The Sea  Instructor is for people seeking a professional certification in Sea environments. The Paddle Australia Qualification Scheme (PAQS) course is the industry benchmark certification designed to meet the needs of the paddling Guide and Instructor industry for education, recreational and tourism sectors nation wide.

Course Duration: Training Course:3 days, Assessment:2 days

Costs(RRP): Training Course: $395, Assessment: $295.

20% discount on course RRP for all Paddle Australia members. For other discount options and group quotes please contact your local training provider.

Pre requisites: Participants knowledge and skills should be at the level of Sea Guide. Plus to gain the qualification a minimum logbook is required, these requirements can be found in the Assessment Guidelines. Please pay particular attention to the logbook requirements that need to be logged in your Paddlelog

What Craft: This qualification is designed for Sea Kayaks only

Equipment: It is expected that participants will supply their own equipment including craft, life jackets, paddles etc and present as an Instructor with appropriate equipment ( First Aid Kit, Repair kit etc).If you do require equipment please contact your local provider.

Assessment:

  • Practical: Completed through the training/assessment day
  • Quiz: An online quiz is made available to participants upon registration that needs to be completed prior to the practical program
  • Project: An online project is made available to participants upon registration that needs to be completed prior to the practical program

Program enrollment: All current programs can be found here. If there is not one in your area or would like to organise a program for a group, please contact your local State Paddle Association.

What will you learn: What you will learn and be assessed on can be found in the Assessment Guidelines below.

The holder of this qualification has demonstrated the skills and knowledge to guide and instruct groups of novices on day based activities in Sea Kayaks in Sea conditions:

  • Outside of estuaries, harbours, embayments or other sheltering reefs or islands
  • Difficult landings or open crossings may be included
  • Maximum of 5 nautical miles from shore
  • Wind conditions below Gale Warning (34kn)
  • Breaking (whitecapping) waves (sea) up to 3.0m
  • Surf to 2.0m

This qualification is gained by submitting evidence of the below criteria and passing a review by PA’s Education and Safety Advisory Group (ESAG).