Certification
There is a progression of 5 awards for kayaking
skills. They are called proficiency awards, personal performance
awards, or star awards. The first 2 are generic, in any kind of
paddle-powered boat. The last 3 are specific to a discipline,
such as a sea kayak or a river kayak. The top 2 are also leadership
awards. The certification for coaches is separate, but requires
a foundation of the star awards.
Assessment is a checkup on your skills in calm
water, involving various challenges or exercises. Upon completion,
participants receive feedback on their strengths and on what can
use improvement. Assessment is a test. Awards are given only after
the test is passed. We recommend starting with training before
assessment.
Official BCU certificates are sent from the BCU
North America office in NY after the course. The paper certificate
costs between $10 and $25, depending on the course. Please bring
the cash to the course if you are taking a test and want the paper
certificate. Dollars or pesos.
1 Star
is an introduction, When
the paddler can independently enter the kayak, exit it, capsize,
and steer generally in the desired direction, it is time for the
assessment. Focus at this level is on fun. Depending on the aptitude
of the learning paddler, training and practice may take from 1
to 3 days before assessment is appropriate. The introduction can
take place in any paddle-powered boat.
Link
to BCU Performance awards
2 Star
focuses on cause and effect using the paddle, the boat,
and the body. Training ideally happens in different kinds of boats
such as a kayak and a canoe, or a sit-on-top. Before assessment,
the paddler should have mastery over a variety of maneuvers and
capsize prevention. Imagine wearing your kayak like you wear your
shoes; they go where you want without having to think about how
you made that happen. Skills include edging the boat to turn,
ability to paddle a course with only one paddle blade on one side
of the boat, and ability to paddle a course backwards, edging
the boat and using angles of the blade effectively.
Link
to BCU Performance awards
3 Star Sea Kayak
takes those solid flatwater skills into dynamic environments--wind,
waves, current. Efficient techniques for using the environment
can save a lot of energy. Training is done in a single sea kayak,
and includes not only paddling technique, but study of the sea.
Three-star focuses on basic navigation with nautical chart and
compass, as well as strategies for minimizing risk. The roll is
required at this level. The BCU 3-star Sea assessment entails
taking a journey in dynamic water. The standard is high. Boat
handling must be precise and efficient in challenging conditions.
Candidates should also bring a log book showing their paddling
experience. This award is proof that you can comfortably handle
wind to 15knots and seas to 1 meter, including maneuvering and
performing quick rescues. Three-star Sea award is a prerequisite
for more challenging trips worldwide, including some of Sea Kayak
Baja Mexico's exciting expeditions.
Link
to BCU Performance awards
4 Star Sea Kayak Leader
is an award for guides who have developed extensive kayaking skills
plus the experience to lead a group of kayakers in moderately
exposed areas, such as the islands in the Loreto National Marine
Park. Non-guides who want a high level of personal kayaking skill
also learn a lot from the challenge of taking the 4-star training
or assessment. "Foundadation Safety & Rescue Training"
and "Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning" are both
prerequisites for the test.
Link to
BCU 4* Sea Leader award
5 Star Sea Kayak Leader
is the highest
award for guides whose personal kayaking skill, experience, and
judgment enables them to take experienced kayakers anywhere in
the world.
Link
to BCU 5* Sea Leader award
Level 1 Coach
is
the entry point for people wanting to teach in the BCU system.
The Foundation Safety & Rescue Training course is a prerequisite.
A 2* Award is recommended, but may be taken later. This 4-day
program is an excellent course on coaching any sport. In the UK,
coaching is a highly respected profession, and the skills of teaching
physical activity can be applied to any sport, once the coach
demonstrates competence in that activity.
How do people learn? How can I maintain a safe and fun learning
environment? What are my student's goals? How can I present the
skills so that this group of children or adults or young professionals
can best acquire them? Am I positioned so that the students can
see and hear me? What can I learn from watching them do an exercise?
How can I help this student achieve his or her goals?
According to the BCU pre-course information, "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 ‘what to coach’ specifically
relating to the skills beginners require. The course will cover
how to:
- prepare coaching activities, taking into account participants’
needs and motives
- establish a safe working environment
- deliver prepared activities
- establish working relationships with participants and others
- prepare participants’ for the coaching activities
- conclude the activities
- evaluate the effectiveness of coaching activities
- evaluate the effectiveness of personal coaching practice
- manage effective rescues
Coach 1 certification allows a coach to run basic
training sessions. With a Coach 1 certification, the BCU coach
may also work with other coaches on more advanced courses, provided
that their personal kayaking skills are sufficient.
The Coach 1 course includes a certification. There
is no separate test later.
Course
Guide an in-depth look at the Coach 1 course.
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