Coaching & training
Posted: June 12th, 2011 | Author: annette | Filed under: | No Comments »Edge is all about progressive paddling.
We provide a range of courses, or can let you know about opportunities coming up. Here’s some info on the most relevant courses for members of a club like Edge. We negotiate discounted rates for Edge members, and there are Funding_Opportunities_for_Coaches in return for voluntary hours to the club.
Foundation Safety & Rescue Training
Rescues – learn how to be rescued and get safely back in your boat, and rescue others. Essential for anyone going into moving water where they are likely to capsize.
4 hours, wet session
Syllabus
White Water Safety & Rescue
An advanced course for strong white water paddlers who will be leading and rescuing others.
Syllabus
Site Specific Training
For those wishing to coach with Edge or hire out equipment from Edge without a coach.
Syllabus to follow
First Aid Training
Useful for everyone and essential for coaches/group leaders. Can be 4-hour or 8-hour.
Syllabus
2-star Award
Competency on sheltered water. Forwards, backwards, turning, sideways, capsize, in both Kayak and open canoe.
Syllabus
3-star Award
Competency on moving water / surf / sea / in an open canoe (you choose your specialism)
Syllabus
4-star Leader award
Specialised – choose between sea, surf, white water and open canoe
2 days training, 2 days assesment.
Syllabus
Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning
Essential for the 4-star sea award. Useful for anyone looking to get into sea kayaking and route planning.
Syllabus
Rolling
Rolling is a very useful skill, and necessary to be safe in fast moving water where you can capsize easily. We run rolling courses in the winter at pool sessions. Check the calendar for details. You can also go external – KJO can provide.
Becoming a coach
If you’re keen on paddling, over 16, and would like to pass it on, you could easily train up to be a coach. There are five levels; a Level 1 coach can teach on the canal; a Level 2 can teach on the Thames (West London) etc to level 5 who can coach on crazy waterfalls and Hawaiian waves.
- Coaching gives you confidence leading groups and adds to your skillset
- Most volunteer coaches have won funding to cover at least part of the cost of the course and assesment, in exchange for volunteer hours. Contact us for details.
- You’re free to choose your sessions. As a coach, safety of the group is paramount, however as a volunteer you can choose which sessions you want to do, so you’re not signing your life away.
- Many of our existing coaches have been trained by Kayakojacko, who continue to run good value courses for Edge members.
Level 1
For coaching on sheltered water – the canal or pool or small lakes, max 6 students in group.
3 days of training and 1 of assesment
You also need a 2-star award (competent paddler), a 4-hour first aid certificate, to have completed an “FSRT” (Foundations Safety and Rescue Training) and ~10 hours coaching experience before assesment
Level 2
For moderate water – the Thames, West London, max 8 students in group.
3 days of training and 1 of assesment
Requisites:
Two x 3-star award (or 1 x 3-star + 1 x CPD unit)
8-hour first aid certificate
FSRT (Foundations Safety and Rescue Training).
Perform roll on demand (can fail the first)
~20 hours coaching experience before assesment
Syllabus
Further resources
Kayakojacko have written up a load of advice, of particular use:
And naturally there’s a lot of info from the British Canoe Union (paddlesport’s national governing body).
