UKCC-BCU Level 1 Coach
UKCC/BCU Level 1 Coach Training and Assessment
£300 non-residential
The BCU Coaching Scheme provides a series of personal performance and coaching awards that may be relevant to club paddlers, coaches and individuals wishing to measure their progress in the sport.
These notes do not aim to detail the award syllabus; candidates should visit the BCU website – www.bcu.org.uk – for PDF downloads of the award guidance notes. It is essential that anyone aiming to attend this course reads these notes for details of award prerequisites. Briefly, these include: personal skills, previous experience and background knowledge.
What can the Level 1 Coach do?
The Level 1 Coach award is the first step on the Paddlesports Coaching Pathway. The qualification introduces new coaches `to the concepts underpinning good coaching practice and helps them understand and coach technical and tactical elements of the sport. A BCU Level 1 Coach is trained and assessed to assist BCU Level 2 Coaches and above, delivering aspects of a coaching session, normally under direct supervision. In certain circumstances, the Level 1 Coach can run taster sessions without direct supervision. All Level 1 Coaches can coach participants in solo or tandem canoes and kayaks up to BCU 1 Star and Paddlepower Passport standard. The Level 1 Coach can also assess these awards.
Who is the course aimed at?
The BCU Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Paddlesport is appropriate for individuals new to coaching, who have some knowledge of paddlesport, and wish to learn how to help others enjoy paddling. The course is designed for a range of people, for example:
- A non-paddling parent of a child in a club
- A paddler who wants to help out in their local club
- Someone who wants to work in an activity centre
Before candidates can register for the level 1 course, they must meet the following prerequisites:
- Be at least 16 years old on the first day of the course
- Understand the basics of manoeuvring of a canoe or kayak, through participation in the sport or through observation
The course is available as a boat-based or bank-based option. Boat-based coaches a required to hold the new BCU 2 Star award to demonstrate they have the personal paddling skill required to provide safety cover and move around the working area.
What does the course involve?
The course involves 4 days (32 hours) of contact time; this includes learning and assessment. The relevant safety module is a prerequisite of the course; candidates should bring this award with them (typically the one-day Canoe Safety Test) or book an additional training day with Surf-Lines prior to the course.
What does the course cover?
The BCU Certificate in Coaching Paddlesport develops your ability to plan, deliver and review safe, ethical and effective paddlesport sessions. On the course you will develop “how to coach” skills alongside technical understanding of “what to coach”, relating to novice in canoes and kayaks. The course will cover how to:
- Prepare coaching activities
- Establish a safe working environment
- Deliver prepared activities
- Establish working relationships with participants and others
- Prepare participants for coaching activities
- Evaluate the effectiveness of coaching activities
- Evaluate the effectiveness of personal coaching practice
- Manage effective and appropriate rescues
A range of coaching tips, games and activities will be included in the course along with time spent developing your technical/tactical understanding.
How do I join a course?
All candidates are required to register with BCU Awarding prior to embarking on the Level 1 course. Registration forms can either be obtained directly from BCU awarding or from the WCA, SCA or CANI.
Registration costs £55 and covers the cost of the induction pack, 12 months third part liability insurance and coach licence, and supports the administrative costs associated with the qualification. (A discounted rate of £39 is available for candidates who are already members of the BCU or home nation governing body).
Venues:
At Surf-Lines we have perhaps the best location in North Wales for the Level 1 Coach course. Our Llanberis base, on the edge of Llyn Padarn Country Park, is situated only a few metres from the water with immediate access to an excellent range of protected paddling areas, all ideal for introducing novices to canoeing and kayaking.
Our non-residential centre has excellent facilities, including classrooms, changing rooms and refreshment facilities, all centrally heated. Our equipment stock includes a wide range of canoes and kayaks, thus providing the needed breadth of resources for the delivery of the Level 1 Coach syllabus.
Prior Experience:
BCU guidelines outline the required experience for attendance on the UKCC/BCU Level 1 Coach course. While bank-based coaches are required to be able to manage coaching sessions from the shore, boat-based coaches must be paddling at the level of the new BCU 2 Star award. The award is not a prerequisite for attendance on the course, but is necessary to complete the BCU Certificate in Coaching Paddlesport. This can be completed during an agreed post-training period.
Course Dates: On-demand, with sufficient numbers. Call for details.
Course Fee: £300 non-residential
