Swim Event Safety Award (SESA)

The Swim Event Safety Award (SESA) is designed to provide paddler’s with the skills and knowledge required to be a pro-active part of any event water safety team, and aims to give candidates a real feeling of what it’s like to be an open water swimmer.

The award can be completed by any paddler aged 14 and above and in any craft, providing the candidate can demonstrate good control of the boat. The only other pre-requisite is a minimum 4hr First Aid award.

SESA Courses – March 2021 Update

SESA courses and re-assessments, are still taking place, with modifications and adaptations to ensure they are COVID secure, and to reduce the risk to candidates.

SESA qualifications with an expiry date between March 2020 – April 2021 will be automatically extended to 30th April 2021. Candidates will then be able to revalidate in the usual way.

Where travel to a re-validation course is not possible, a video submission revalidation option is available, however, you’ll need to arrange this directly with a Trainer/Assessor. We would suggest this is the trainer that originally signed you off for your qualification.

New Courses
New courses can still be arranged, and we are seeing an increase in demand from both venues and event operators. Initially, we’d recommend you contact a trainer directly via the British Canoeing Find a Provider tool but you are also welcome to email us for assistance if required.

SESA Syllabus

• Download here

SESA Trainers

We are always on the look-out for new trainers of the SESA award and the document below outlines the pathway that prospective new trainers will need to follow to be able to deliver the SESA course.

The SESA Trainer & Tutor Pathways can be found here.

SESA Courses
Courses are run on an as and when required basis. A list of SESA trainers throughout the UK can be found via the British Canoeing Find a Provider tool. However, you can also contact us directly if you’d like to enquire about arranging a course specifically for your organisation. 

SESA courses need a suitable venue to run from. Generally speaking BC Lifeguards are able to provide the trainer (or trainers) providing the club or organisation can provide the following:

• Suitable venue (with the ability to swim in open water without buoyancy aids (can be sheltered coastal waters)
• Classroom facility (for theory sessions)
• Changing & shower facilities
• Between 8 – 12 candidates (more can be accommodated by prior arrangement)

More Information
If you’re interested in a SESA course please get in touch and we may be able to assist you with organising a course. Please email canoelifeguards.admin@vol.britishcanoeing.org.uk