Kayakojacko

The Level 1 award is for those new to paddlesport coaching. The qualification is not discipline specific and is therefore suitable to coaches who wish to work with paddlers from any of the competitive and non-competitive paddlesport disciplines.

There are two routes available at level 1;

• Bank-based Coach intended for individuals who do not have personal paddling skills but want to coach from the waters edge or an appropriate safety boat.
• Boat-based Coach for individuals with a degree of personal paddling skill and who intend to coach from either a canoe, kayak or the waters edge. To be considered a boat based coach you must have a 2* award.

The Level 1 Coach can plan, deliver, and review short coaching sessions; normally with the support of a more qualified coach. They can work with paddlers at any stage of development; receiving specific training to coach paddlers in their first year of activity and to run taster sessions.

A Level 1 Coach is able to assist Level 2 coaches and above, delivering aspects of a coaching session, normally under direct supervision. The supervising coach should be able to take charge of a session if needed. There is no restriction as to who you can assist; this will be dependent on your personal experience, where you will be coaching and what coaching you want to do. This means a Level 1 coach can assist Level 2 coaches and above in any discipline.

There are no prerequisites needed to enter the training elements of Level 1 Coach. Although you will be required to centrally register with a BCU Awarding Delivery Centre (Canoe England, WCA, SCA, CANI) before you are able to attend initial coach training.

But prior to attending an assessment you as an aspirant coach must complete all of the following components:

• Be 16 years old or over.
• Have an interest in paddlesport and be keen to learn.
• Have completed a BCU Canoe Safety Test or Foundation Safety & Rescue Training.
• Hold a BCU 2 Star Award (only if you’re option for the boat-based award)
• CRB Check.

If you have two star and relevant safety test this is a 4 day or 32 hour course. We offer a number or options to suit personal preference;

• Two weekends – includes assessment
• 5 Evenings and two day option – includes assessment.
• 5 Day course - includes assessment and 2 star
• 6 day course - includes assessment, 2 star and safety award.

It’s a modular course so we can be extremely flexible.

During your course, both you and your training director will complete your Assessment Portfolio. This provides confirmation and evidence that you have:

• Achieved the necessary prerequisites
• Completed the necessary Coach Training
• Completed the necessary Assessment Tasks
• When all the evidence is completed your Training Director will send off your portfolio to the BCU and you’ll receive your certificate shortly afterwards.

You need to complete 5 assessment tasks to achieve certification:

• Multiple Choice Paper
• Rescue Skills Exercise
• Workbook Evaluation
• Coaching Session Assessment
• Period of Verbal Questioning

If you have covered the level 1 course material through an alternative source, i.e. a coaching award in a different sport or a teaching qualification, and have the appropriate paddle sport experience, then you can apply to your Home National Association for Accreditation of Prior Learning. Please click here for BCU Aplication Form.