EPP mobility grant helps Sweden develop SUP assessor level
FACILITATOR MOBILITY GRANT – REPORT
Get the personal paddling skills to make you paddling dreams come true! That is the message from the Swedish canoe federation to recreational SUP paddlers. Development of Paddelpasset (the Swedish version of EPP) for SUP paddlers is taking another step forward with the help of the EPP mobility grant.
Background
Spring 2023, a first SUP-instructor course was held in combination with an assessment for level 2 for the participants. Assessors were Jonas Forsmark and Danny Hallmén, developers of Paddelpasset in the Swedish Canoe Federation.
The following year, the participants from the instructor course were offered to go a course to be instructor trainers. The participants, who were already experienced assessors for kayak, and who were assessed to be on a personal level above 2, got permission to assess level 2, under the condition that they get the level 3 Paddelpasset formally as soon as opportunity arose. The general condition for recreational disciplines is that you need a Paddelpasset on the level above the level you want to assess.
EPP Mobility Grant
In 2025, thanks to the co-funding from the recently instituted EPP Mobility Grant, the federation arranged a clinic and assessment level 3, to get the formal qualification in place for the instructors who were on a temporary permit to assess level 2.
Outcomes
Experienced and reputable SUP trainer and assessor Line Antoft from Denmark visited two locations (Stockholm on the East Coast and Grebbestad on the West Coast). The clinic and assessment occasions were announced publicly to open up for any SUP-paddler to attend.
The result from the two assessments were good, and all eight participants were certified as level 3. The level of the paddlers skills were on a high standard according to Line. “We had some really good days and on Sunday, the water and wind were strong! So everyone was tested to the max. I’m very impressed by the level of the participants,” says Line.
The clinics and assessments were highly appreciated by the participants, a brilliant example of how to make learning fun and assessments relaxed, fun and functional. The aim to have the assessors formally on level 3 was achieved.
The Swedish Canoe Federation can now provide assessments for level 2 paddlers by assessors who have the formal certificate needed.
Learnings from the international exchange
It was of decisive importance to make it possible for the participants to get the right qualification to deliver. The obtainment of the level 3 award makes the assessors feel secure in their role, and is also a stepping stone towards the next level for them personally.
On general federation level, the possibility to get a qualified assessor to Sweden to do the handiwork, opened up for the Federation us to establish the new level and work forward leaning with future development of the SUP awards. Now, Sweden can work on getting the attention from recreational SUP paddlers with the aim of raising general skills level to a basic level 2. “We believe this is an important step to raise awareness of paddling possibilities, risk and safety and environmental regards. Paddlers with skills and knowledge of level 2 will have more fun, and will be less prone to experience incidents”, says Katinka Ingves, development officer in the Swedish Canoe Federation.
Link to Swedish Canoe Federation website article
https://kanot.com/utbildning/nyheter-utbildning/utbildning/2025-05-23-forsta-bla-paddelpassen-i-sup
Contact
Katinka Ingves
Swedish Canoe Federation
+46 766 114303
