In response to the announcement that the Water Skills Academy (WSA) has gone into liquidation, British Canoeing, on behalf of all of the national associations, has been proactively involved in discussions to secure a support package for WSA members. All WSA members have been contacted via email.
This offer will ensure that WSA members will be fully covered by insurance and hold a waterways licence for 12 months, through membership of British Canoeing, Scottish Canoe Association, Canoe Wales and the Canoe Association of Northern Ireland for members based in their respective countries.
This offer will apply to all WSA members with a valid membership at the time of liquidation, including recreational individuals and family members, alongside those who have received certification as a WSA instructor.
British Canoeing’s Chief Executive, Ashley Metcalfe, said: “We want paddlesport to be accessible for all and we are delighted that British Canoeing, along with the home nations, can support the Water Skills Academy members with a support package.
“As the joint national governing body for stand up paddleboarding, we are happy to offer membership support for the WSA members to enable them to continue to paddle with access to a river licence, insurance as well as a host of other membership benefits to help them get on the water.
“This is a great opportunity for those who hold a WSA Instructor certificate to gain a regulated qualification that is recognised by Ofqual, Qualification Wales, the CCEA and the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity, providing reassurance to those delivering and participating in Stand Up Paddleboarding as an activity.”
Update for WSA Instructors
Those who hold WSA Instructor certifications and require professional indemnity insurance to continue teaching will need to provide both a current first aid and safeguarding certificate as well as a copy of their WSA certification. The Professional Indemnity Insurance cover will be in place for 12 months.
British Canoeing Awarding Body will be mapping WSA courses to determine a suitable transition for those wanting to gain a regulated qualification of which we will publish details in the coming months.
For those WSA Instructors/Leaders who do not hold a safeguarding certificate, an online training course is available on the Awarding Body website: Safeguarding eLearning.