Course Aims
The WSA Sit on Top (SOT) Instructor Course has been designed to create a level of competence
for SOT Instructors operating in sheltered water, small lakes, sheltered bays, flat waters and slow-
moving rivers. The award is aimed at people that are new to the paddleboarding coaching industry
and equips the participant/reader with all the practical and theoretical knowledge required to teach
SOT Kayaking to beginners and novices.
Remit
• Minimum age: 18
• Recommended ratios: 1:8
• Small areas of enclosed water, such as canals, ungraded rivers with little or no flow, ponds, small
lakes, or sheltered harbours, sheltered bays on larger lakes or the coast.
• Rivers and inland waterways, ungraded and not in spate with little or no flow and must have the
ability to deliver a static session.
• Maximum distance of 200 metres from a safe exit point.
• Winds of no more than Force 3.
• No offshore winds more than Force 1.
• No weirs.
• Tidal with little or no flow and must have the ability to deliver a static session.
• No high traffic areas, such as busy harbours or harbour marina entrances.
The SOT Instructor award does not qualify individuals as a guide. Please see our adventure guide
courses for further details on our guide training.
