BCU (UKCC) Level 1 Coach Information

This page has been developed to assist BCU (UKCC) Level 1 Coaches.

BCU (UKCC) Level 1 - Resources

Please see the Coaching Resources page for downloadable resources

BCU (UKCC) Level 1 - Assessor Status

Upon completing your BCU (UKCC) Level 1 Coach award you are able to deliver/assess:

BCU Paddlesport Start Award

An introductory award that can be taken in any Paddlesport craft, this award can normally be achieved after a paddlers first session. If you wish to deliver this award you need to register with Canoe England:  Star Award Assessor Registration Form V4-0

BCU Paddlepower Start Award

An entry level award suitable for taster sessions or as part of a series of sessions designed for young people. If you wish to deliver this award you just need to purchase the relevant certificates from the BCU E-shop

BCU Placid Water Racing Awards

A series of awards including time trials (2km – 10km), 500 Metre Sprint Awards, and Marathon and Half Marathon awards. The awards intend to recognize and encourage improvement in canoe and kayak racing performance, they can be attempted in any canoe or kayak, although the aim is to encourage the use of straight running boats, as a progression to racing boats. If you wish to deliver these awards you just need to request the pass slips, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

BCU Cross Stream Challenge

The Cross Stream aims to develop and challenge boat handling skills, strokes and moves, whilst blending Slalom, Freestyle, Polo, with a touch of Wild Water and Flat Water Racing and maybe a bit of surf. Its flexibility in delivery focuses on the paddler, not just the boat, enabling paddlers to develop skills based around a predetermined course in managed and measured environment. The challenges will fully open the doors to our sport for all paddlers, providing an opportunity to experience the many different disciplines and helps coaches spot where an individual is most motivated. If you wish to use the BCU Cross Stream Challenge a number of resources are available to purchase from the BCU E-shop

BCU (UKCC) Level 1 - Furthering your Assessor Status

If you wish to deliver the BCU One Star Award and/or the BCU Paddlepower Passport Award then you will need to complete the following information in the Assessor / Provider logbook(s):

1) Completion of the BCU UKCC Level 1 Coach Qualification

2) Valid Coach Update Status
(as long as you have maintained Canoe England membership, your coach update status is valid for 3 years following your Level 1 Course)

3) Registered Paddlesport Start Assessor
(to become an assessor please complete the “BCU Star Award Assessor Registration Form” available from http://www.canoe-england.org.uk/coaching/bcu-documents/)

4) The date of a Paddlesport Start Assessment you have run

Once these initial tasks have been completed you can start to work on courses alongside a qualified 1 Star Assessor / Paddlepower Passport Provider, recording this evidence within the logbook.

There is no minimum number of courses to work.  When you feel ready to take the responsibility for a course, you will need to be observed and endorsed by a registered 1 Star Assessor / Paddlepower Provider for your final logbook task.

BCU (UKCC) Level 1 - Furthering your remit

A BCU (UKCC) Level 1 Coach can plan, deliver, and review short coaching sessions with the support of a more qualified coach.

The BCU (UKCC) Level 1 Coach has good coaching skills and paddlesport knowledge to enable them to deliver quality coaching sessions. However they do not necessarily have the experience to work independently in/with unfamiliar venues, types of group, session objectives, or craft.  Your remit can be increased to work more independently providing you complete additional requirements:

• 18 years of age
• Appropriate Disclosure (CRB)
• Appropriate First Aid Qualification
• Site Specific Training

In order for the BCU (UKCC) Level 1 Coach to work independently in very sheltered, sheltered, or sheltered tidal water they are required to have completed appropriate site/session specific training appropriate to the risk assessment for the session.

It is important that they receive appropriate site/session specific training (that needs to be documented). In order for this training to be recognised the BCU require that it is delivered by a BCU Coach Level 3 (or above) or a Technical Adviser where the Adventure Activities Licensing Regulations apply. For Centres, endorsement of the suitability of appropriate additional training can be confirmed via BCU Centre Approval.

The BCU (UKCC) Level 1 Coach can work independently only within the management structure of a club or centre.