In order to become an Instructor, Coach, Leader or Raft Guide, you will need to register with your National Association Delivery Centre, using your membership portal, ahead of your training/assessment, once you meet the prerequisites.
Registration is the process by which you confirm your intention to study towards a particular qualification.
For Registration Costs, please see the ‘Regulated and Non-Regulated Course Fees’ document.
If you feel you already have the relevant skills to bypass the training, log into your membership record and apply for Accredited Prior Learning (APL). The APL service will consider other nationally recognised, professional awards and will recognise training and assessment schemes other than its own where they are identified as being of equal or higher standard. You will need to complete the short application form via your membership portal.
Paddlesport Instructor Registration Requirements
- Full National Association Membership
- BCAB Paddlesport Safety and Rescue or Foundation Safety and Rescue Training (FSRT)
- 14 years of age, or older
Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor Registration
- Full National Assoication membership
- Personal paddling and rescue competence
- 14 years of age, or older
Coach Award Registration Requirements
Coaches can register at any point on their journey to assessment. To register, learners will need to hold:
- Full National Association Membership
In order to access the Coach Award training or assessment, candidates will need to meet following prerequisites:
Core Coach Training Prerequisites
- Full National Association Membership
Discipline Specific Training Prerequisites
- Full National Association Membership
- Relevant Leadership Award for some disciplines (see Coach Award Course Guide)
- Core Coach Training (or equivalent, see Coach Award Course Guide)
Coach Award Assessment Prerequisites
- Coach Award eLearning
- Core Coach Training (or equivalent, see Coach Award Course Guide)
- Coach Award Discipline Specific Training (or alternative, see Coach Award Course Guide)
- Relevant Leadership Award for some disciplines (see Coach Award Course Guide)
Evidence of minimum standards of deployment:
- In date First Aid Training (1 or 2 days, see Coach Award Course Guide)
- Safeguarding Training (as required by your Delivery Centre)
- Full National Association Membership
- Aged 16 or over at the time of assessment (18 for Advanced Water Options)
Once all prerequisites are in place, you will need to complete the free ‘Check In’ service via your membership portal.
Performance Coach Award Registration Requirements
If you are interested in the programme, you need to contact your Delivery Centre to arrange an initial, online meeting to check the Performance Coach programme is for you.
- Relevant coaching qualification or APL. You will need to hold a discipline specific coaching qualification in the same discipline and environment that you wish to pursue. Minimum Paddle UK (UKCC) Level 2, or BCU Level 3. The following options are suitable:
- The corresponding Coach Award
- The corresponding Moderate Water Endorsement or BCU Level 3 Coach
- The corresponding Advanced Water Endorsement or BCU Level 5 Coach
- Full National Association membership
- In date First Aid training
- Safeguarding training (as required by your Delivery Centre)
Performance Coach Award Assessment Prerequisites:
- Attended at least one community of learning event
- Completed at least two online mentor sessions
- Engaged in at least two ‘touch points’ with a Coach Developer
- the required evidence from the pre-assessment mentor session, including:
- a recording of the session and any supporting materials used
- a copy of the mentor report and recommendation
Valid Delivery Centre Coach Update Status, including:
- Full National Association Membership
- In date First Aid training
- Safeguarding training (as required by your Delivery Centre)
- Evidence of Continuous Personal Development (CPD)
Once all prerequisites are in place, you will need to contact your Delivery Centre and complete the free ‘Check In’ service. Once the Check In process has been completed, you will work together with your Delivery Centre to set up your practical coaching assessment. Further details are available from your Delivery Centre.
Leadership and Raft Guide Registration Requirements
Prior to attending a Leadership or Raft Guide assessment, you need to register with your National Association Delivery Centre. The following evidence is required:
- Full National Association Membership
- Aged 16 or over at the time of assessment (18 for Advanced Water options)
- Valid (within 3 years) British Canoeing Awarding Body recognised First Aid Award
- 1 day First Aid Award for Sheltered Water Environments
- 2 day First Aid Award for Moderate and Advanced Environments
- 2 day First Aid Award for Stadium Raft Guides and Raft Guides
- 3 day First Aid Award for Raft Trip Leaders
- Valid (within 3 years) Safeguarding Training recognised by your Delivery Centre
- Safety Award for the following pathways
- Canoe White Water Leader: White Water Safety or White Water Safety and Rescue Training
- Advanced Canoe White Water Leader: Advanced White Water Safety or Advanced White Water Safety and Rescue Training
- Sea Kayak Leader (non-tidal and tidal): Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning
- Advanced Sea Kayak Leader (non-tidal and tidal): Open Water Navigation and Tidal Planning
- Stand Up Paddleboard Coastal Leader: Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning
- Stand Up Paddleboard White Water Leader: White Water Safety or White Water Safety and Rescue Training
- Surf Kayak Leader: Surf Safety and Rescue
- White Water Leader: White Water Safety or White Water Safety and Rescue Training
- Advanced White Water Leader: Advanced White Water Safety or Advanced White Water Safety and Rescue Training
- Raft Guide (Grade 2): White Water Safety or White Water Safety and Rescue Training or Rescue 3 WRT Award
- Raft Guide (Grade 3 and 4): Advanced White Water Safety or Advanced White Water Safety and Rescue Training or Rescue 3 WRT Pro Award
- Raft Trip Leaders (Grade 3 and 4): Advanced White Water Safety or Advanced White Water Safety and Rescue Training or Rescue 3 WRT Pro Award
- Raft Trip Leaders
Raft Trip Leader candidates require a British Canoeing Awarding Body Raft Guide Qualification:
- Raft Trip Leader (Grade 3): Raft Guide (Grade 3) or Raft Guide (Grade 4)
- Raft Trip Leader (Grade 4): Raft Guide (Grade 4)