New for 2025

British Canoeing Awarding Body announces NEW Weather, Tides, Surf and Swell, Navigation for Paddlers and Open Crossing Modules

The BCAB Educational Philosophy puts the paddler at the heart of the process involving them in their own learning and development and providing choice. 

From January 2025, the NEW Weather, Tides, Surf and Swell, Navigation for Paddlers and Open Crossings Modules can be accessed by learners through eLearning, online and face to face, or as a blended approach. 

The modules are open to anyone with an interest in the subject areas. 

The Weather module is for any paddler, whether paddling on inland or coastal waters, wanting to increase knowledge of weather forecasting and how different conditions can affect trips. 

The Tides module is for paddlers in any craft who want to increase their knowledge of how tides can impact paddling in estuaries and coastal waters.  

The Surf and Swell module gives paddlers an introduction to ground and wind swell, as well as surf forecasts. The eLearning also explores how different environmental considerations can affect surf and swell including tide races, overfalls and rip currents. This module also covers how to consider surf and swell in your trip planning.  

The Navigation for Paddlers module is ideal for anyone navigating on the water, including sea and river paddlers, stand up paddleboarders, clubs, coaches and leaders. This module introduces both pre-trip planning and on-the-water navigating, including when you may need to change your plan. Topics covered include handrailing, collection points, and aiming off and attack points. 

The Open Crossings module is designed for more experienced paddlers planning crossings in both tidal and non-tidal waters. Topics include dead reckoning, calculating set and drift, and working out position. The module also delves into potential dangers and considerations, as well as example trip planning.

These modules are designed to give paddlers a solid understanding of essential topics like weather, tides, surf, and swell. These factors play a key role in the decisions we make as paddlers, helping us choose the right environments to enjoy our time on the water safely. The navigation modules are full of practical advice and essential tools to help paddlers know their location and plan where they want to go. Whether you’re paddling any type of craft or exploring different environments, these modules offer valuable insights for everyone.

Lee Pooley Director of Recreation & Development

Please note, from 31st January 2025, these modules will replace the Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning (CNTP) and Open Water Navigation and Tidal Planning (OWNTP).

Start your eLearning today or visit your Delivery Centre website to find out more and book a course.

British Canoeing Awarding Body launches NEW Stand Up Paddleboard Leadership Awards

BCAB is delighted to launch the NEW SUP Sheltered Water Leader and the NEW SUP Tidal Leader. These NEW awards complement the existing SUP Leadership Awards, which include the SUP White Water Leader, SUP Coastal Leader and SUP Inland Open Water Leader. 

All of our awards support leaders to run safe, quality, enjoyable trips, based on their group’s needs and aspirations.

The SUP Sheltered Water Leader is aimed at paddleboarders who wish to lead others on journeys in sheltered waters (both wind affected and slow moving water).

The SUP Tidal Leader is suitable for those leading trips in simple areas of coastline, which includes defined beaches and sheltered bays where the group could easily land and in winds not above Beaufort force 3, as well as in estuarine/tidal (flowing water) environments.

The journey to become a SUP Leader is personalised to suit your own development. You can choose optional BCAB Leadership Training or you may wish to opt for more bespoke training opportunities. For example, private tuition, in-house training through your workplace, working alongside/shadowing other Leaders, or conference/symposium workshops. Your individualised development journey is concluded by an assessment which is run over 1–2 days. 

As the National Governing Body for Stand Up Paddleboarding, it is vital that we design programmes that the industry needs. We have worked with leading figures within the SUP and outdoor industry to develop our awards aimed at those wanting to lead stand up paddleboard journeys. Choosing the right programme is so important. At British Canoeing Awarding Body, we want paddlers to have choice, as well as have the assurance that, as an organisation regulated by Ofqual/CCEA/Qualification Wales and CIMSPA, you will receive the highest quality, recognised qualification.

Lee Pooley, Paddle UK Director of Recreation and Development

Please note, from January 2025, the SUP Inland Open Water Leader qualification remit will change, and will specifically support you to lead others on journeys on inland open water. This includes large areas of open water that exceed the sheltered water definition, where the paddlers are no more than 500 metres offshore and in wind strengths that do not exceed Beaufort force 4. The change in remit and assessment undertaken for this award will be from the 3rd January 2025.

Visit your Delivery Centre website to find out more and book your upcoming course today. 

BCAB enhances learning opportunities for the Level 4 Performance Coach Award

a person is instructing 2 paddlers

In line with BCAB’s commitment to providing an accessible and supportive learning experience, a comprehensive review of the Level 4 Performance Coach Award was carried out in early 2024. BCAB is delighted to share some changes that will be implemented to ensure the programme is both accessible and supportive. These changes will be live from 3rd January 2025.

Starting in 2025, Community of Learning events will become more accessible and flexible, offering a variety of delivery methods, including in-person sessions, online learning, and blended opportunities. This enables candidates to choose a range of options to support their learning journey.

Community of Learning events will also include varied opportunities for coaches to engage with the programme. This includes those starting their journey on the programme, for those that have been certificated to continually engage and enhance their learning, as well as those simply interested in the learning opportunities. 

An exciting new feature of the programme includes an additional mentoring discussion and a formalised on the water Coach Development session for candidates. Feedback from the review emphasised the significant role that Mentors and Coach Developers play in shaping the learning process. This added support will aid candidates deepen their knowledge and refine their coaching techniques through direct engagement with experienced professionals.

For those already registered on the Performance Coach programme, these changes will not affect you. However, you are invited to consider the new support mechanisms and discuss your options with your Delivery Centre.

Visit your Delivery Centre website to start your Performance Coach learning journey.

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