BCU courses
BCU 1 star and 2 star awards
An introduction to the basic skills that will also open your eyes to the many joys of paddling. Have you paddled an open canoe, a sea kayak, a racing boat, or even a sit on top or an inflatable? This weekend course introduces you to a wide range of craft and techniques. We’ll teach you the basics in lots of different boats – it might help you decide which aspect of paddlesport is for you.
Who is it for?
Anyone who enjoys watersport and wants to learn something new.
BCU 3 star award, white water kayak or Open Canoe
Training & Assessment
The 3 star training course will make a white water paddler of you, improving your technique and giving you huge amounts of confidence.
When it comes to assessment, you’ll find our unobtrusive style will allow you to continue improving throughout the weekend. You can relax and enjoy paddling in the knowledge that you are receiving some of the best coaching available – you’ll hardly know you’re being assessed.
Who is it for?
Anyone who has the 2 star award, or is paddling at 2 star level. You need some basic experience on moving water.
BCU 4 star leader white water kayak
Training
This weekend will give you the tools and confidence required to lead a group of paddlers on grade 2 rivers. We’ll develop your skills and judgement on grade 3 and enhance your ability to make crucial decisions about when, where and how to run rapids with someone else relying on you to get it right.
Assessment
A low-stress coaching and assessment weekend. Personal skills will be assessed on grade 2/3, river leadership on grade 2.
Who is it for?
- Paddlers who are confident on grade 2 water and want to improve their river running skills.
- Paddlers who want to lead groups on moving water.
- Current BCU/UKCC level 2 coaches wanting to progress to level 3.
Follow the links below for more information on the new BCU 4 star leader awards:
- BCU 4 star leader syllabus white water kayak
- BCU 4 star leader trainer notes white water kayak
- BCU 4 star leader assessor notes white water kayak
UKCC Level 1 and Level 2 certificates in coaching paddlesport
The Coaching Awards have been updated and developed to meet the needs of today’s coaches and to provide them with better recognition within the UK sports industry. These developments have been based on findings from both the Paddlesport Review and the Long term Paddler Development Review and reflect current best practice within UK paddlesport and coaching.
The result is a dynamic coaching pathway which benefits both recreational and competition coaches and their students, providing them with structure and support as they progress. The new awards offer national accreditation by the BCU, the UKCC (UK Coaching Certificate), and the National Qualifications Framework.
Follow the links below for more information on the new UKCC/BCU Coach Awards:
The Level 1 or Level 2 training courses will give you new confidence in your own skill and knowledge and inspire you to go out and coach. Equally importantly, you will have a clear understanding of your limitations (we all have them!) and an action plan that will prepare you for the next step, whether that be assessment, further training or consolidation of experience.
Foundation safety and rescue
This course will provide you with the key safety and rescue skills required to operate safely in a sheltered water environment and to be able to deal with common emergencies.
Who is it for?
It is suitable for anyone who operates in or around sheltered water, not just boaters. Many parents of paddlers are now taking this course to give them greater confidence when observing from the bank.
This course is a pre-requisite for the level 1 certificate in coaching paddlesport.
White water safety and rescue
Who is it for?
The WWS&R training course is designed for all paddlers operating in a moderate to advanced white water environment in either kayak or canoe. Unlike the ‘old’ BCU safety course, this one is also designed for anyone working near swift water, for example, bank based coaches and parents.
This course is a pre-requisite for 4 star assessment and level 3 coach.