How to become a BCU coach
Many people in our club help out with informal coaching of one another and of beginners, sharing play boating tips, and testing out skills in the pool. This is an essential part of our club, and helps us to share skills and help one another, so that everyone can progress and enjoy canoeing.
If you want to formalise your teaching skills, the way to do this is to become a BCU qualified coach. This is a good thing to do if you want to
- Improve your coaching skills, safety awareness and group management skills so as to help our club more.
- Help your personal progression as a paddler.
- Gain qualifications so that you can do holiday jobs at outdoor centres.
There are now new style coach qualifications coming into effect - 2007/2008, and the following information is based on the old style system which is gradually being phased out - much of what is said below is still roughly the case, but refer to the BCU website to find out exactly which star tests and safety first aid qualifications you need to do the course you would like.
Summary of scheme - old style - last courses of level 2 assessments are 2008
The levels of coach start at Level 1 (easiest) and go up to Level 5 (most expert) As a competent 3* paddler, the appropriate level of coach for you to start at is Level Two Trainee (L2T). After taking the L2T course, and after gaining some coaching hours, you can then go on to do the L2 assessment, and become an L2 coach. The L2 certificate is the qualification required by most outdoor centres for holiday jobs etc.
There is now a new
What you will need to get started:
- Join the BCU as a full, individual member.
- Fill in and send off this C1 form to the BCU (payment required)
- Get your 3*
- Do the Canoe Safety Test (CST)
- Get a First Aid qualification (at least 4hr version, preferably water / outdoor activity oriented, but any will do)
- Book your place on an L2 Trainee course. There are various ones around the region throughout the year. Look on the BCU website, for courses and ask around. The courses vary in cost and duration, but are usually 2 days. The scout association / FOA run a course in Bala in May, which is very good value, and gives you the chance to teach gabazillion scouts for the weekend
Check the BCU coaching area for more information about the course and about coaching.
Note that the coaching qualification process is currently changing to a more modular system, the L2 qualification may well change in name, but will remain roughly the same, except with the safety, group control and skills training sections separated out.
Note that there are many other ways that you can improve your personal paddling skills, rescue skills, training and river leading skills, see the section on Improving Your Skills for other ideas.
Entries (RSS)