BCUNA 2006 Update

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2007 is a year of transition for the BCU Coaching Service. Over the year a new coach education scheme is to be introduced and the Star Award scheme will see revisions to syllabus requirements.

Coaching Scheme Changes.

While retaining a five level system the Coaching scheme will see changes both in terms of learning programme content and delivery. The changes will also require a review of the way in which we train ‘tutors’ and ‘assessors’ and will therefore require existing assessors to re-train to the level of training or assessment they are currently able to offer.

While the changes are reflective of the outcomes of Paddlesport Review they will also reflect the endorsement criteria of the new United Kingdom Coaching Certificate (UKCC) - a government driven sport wide / UK wide endorsement criteria.

While early subscription to the UKCC will provide a number of benefits in the UK it does bring with it additional commitments and criteria perhaps not considered as part of Paddlesport Review. Meeting these criteria requirements will bring additional challenge, not least of these being in terms of time line commitments. The UKCC requires the BCU to have implemented a new endorsed scheme by the close of 2007.

In order to meet this commitment we are working hard to complete learning programme developments, retraining, delivery developments and resource developments. With the amount of work involved we have currently decided that we will phase in the new UKCC endorsed awards against the phase out of the old awards. In the UK this is against the following timeline;

Changes to BCU Coaching Awards in North America

Where BCU awards are delivered overseas and therefore not subject to the UKCC timeline we have decided that we will introduce the new learning programme developments of the BCU / UKCC scheme starting in April 2008.

This will enable us to consolidate the specific learning programme aspects of the BCU / UKCC via a range of delivery options and put us in a position to appreciate how best we can support its delivery in North America.

It will also provide us with a suitable timeline via which we can;

1. inform paddlers and Coaches in North America of the changes.
2. implement delivery opportunities to support both new and developing coaches.
3. Provide re-training to existing coach educators ( coaches with an existing A2 or above endorsement)
4. Provide an opportunity to introduce the Star Award Changes during 2007

In the meantime – just as in the UK, * existing Coaching Awards will continue to be recognised.

Overseas and In North America only, the delivery of the current BCU Awards will be possible through until the end of 2008.

Individuals wishing to visit the UK to attend Coaching Award Courses will need to consider the following;

• There is not a restriction on NA coaches attending UK courses.
• UKCC is not going to be implemented in NA until a later date.
• Coaching awards will not be recognised as a UKCC award until the NA start date for UKCC.

Star Award Revisions

The Star Award revisions are taking place to reflect developments and general paddling standards and also to bridge the gap that exists between 4 and 5 Star within the current scheme.

While awaiting final agreement on the revisions and decisions as to who might assess for which Star Award an overview of the new scheme is provided below.

As far as introducing the new Star Awards is concerned we hope to do this in North America during autumn 2007. Initially this will require opportunities to re-orientate existing Star Award assessors and to implement new admin requirements.

Once complete, and from a date to be determined candidates seeking a Star Award assessment will be assessed to the revised syllabi.

Candidates seeking Star Awards as part of pre-requisite requirements for a coaching award will, until the end of 2008, be able to use Star Award gained via either the old or the new syllabi.

From January 2009, however, coaching pre-requisites will require new syllabi awards to be held.

Coach Conference

While we aim to have information update and re- orientation opportunities at a number of symposium events throughout 2007 /8 we are planning a North American Coaches Symposium for Spring 2007. This will provide re-orientation opportunities to existing Star Award assessors and provide an outline of future Coach Education developments for introduction during 2008.

While we recognise that a one off opportunity such as this can be difficult for coaches spread across such a large area as NA to make we would hope that as many as possible would be able to make it.

Look forward to seeing you there.

What’s changing with the Star Awards

2007 sees the introduction of a new series of BCU Star Awards; these awards differ significantly from the preceding scheme, the old scheme is not simply being updated but is being replaced by a modernised design that represents key milestones along a developmental pathway through our sport. In response to consultation across the sport the new scheme also includes safe group paddling from 2 star upwards to help develop independent paddlers who have the ability to go out on appropriate water without the need of a coach.

Discovery Level

One Star An introductory / encouragement award that demonstrates an individual has basic boat control (similar in ethos and standard to the current 1 star) and can be taken in any kind of paddlesport craft (e.g. sit-on-top, slalom C2, polo boat, sea kayak, racing canoe etc.)

Two Star

An improvement award that helps paddlers develop fundamental paddlesport skills on flat water. The emphasis is on gaining a breadth of experience, creating the desired movement of the boat and developing an understanding into how the paddle, boat and water interact. This award is significantly different to the old 2 star, with a change to develop generic movement skills that can transfer to any discipline and with an assessed journey. Assessors will need to be able to assess the award in a variety of craft.

Three Star

Successful performance at this level indicates that a candidate can consider themselves an intermediate paddler rather than a beginner.

Unlike the existing award this will be discipline specific with awards in Sea, Surf, Canoe, WW Kayak, FW Kayak and some of the competitive disciplines. The three star paddler will be a competent performer in sheltered to moderate water environments and have the ability to paddle unsupervised, with similar standard paddlers on sheltered water. The new award will look similar in structure to the existing 4 star, but with the skills applicable in an easier environment.

Four Star

This discipline specific test is designed to indicate that the candidate has the skill level to safely paddle sections of moderate water as part of a led group. And, has the all round paddling ability, safety, rescue and basic leadership required to undertake trips on sheltered - moderate water with a group of similar standard paddlers in a self-sufficient manner. The new award looks much the same structurally to the old 5 star, but the personal skills and leadership reflect an easier environment.

Five Star

Has the personal, leadership and safety skills required to lead groups, (in formal and informal settings) in discipline specific advanced environments. The new award looks much the same structurally to the old 5 star, but the personal skills and leadership have been updated in line with current developments where appropriate.