The BCU have launched new performance awards and made major changes to the Star award scheme and Coaching award scheme. Mike Tullberg, County Canoeing Advisor, gives an overview of the new schemes.

The new award scheme is called Paddlepower and is aimed at the younger paddlers and is best suited to the under 14 age range. There are 5 Awards, Start, Passport, Discover, Explore & Excel.
We will be dealing with the first 3.

Start: Is awarded after your first taster/introductory session.

Passport: levels 2-5  This award comprises 4 progressive levels. This award demonstrates basic boat control. To achieve this award you will need to complete at least 6 paddling sessions totalling about 10 hours on the water & complete a trip of a minimum of 2 km. You will also experience paddling in different types of craft for example kayaks and open canoes. (this award is equivalent to the 1 star award)
Application forms for courses to cover Paddlepower Passport/1 star will be in future editions of Headlines

Discovery: level 6 to 9 This award also comprises 4 progressive levels. Designed to focus on specific techniques, skills & knowledge . This award reflects fundamental paddlesport skills and understanding of paddle-boat-water interaction. This is not to be confused with the above award we are talking about a lot of hours to achieve the standard. This award is considered to be equivalent to the new 2 star award and is the minimum required standard to attend coaching (instructor) courses.
On obtaining this award you can consider your self an intermediate paddler. You will need to spend a minimum of 25 hours on the water and have completed 4 trips of at least 3,4, 5 & 6 km. Obtaining this award will be a significant achievement. You will be using kayaks and open Canoes as this is a generic award. Personally I do not feel obtaining the award in 25 hours is realistic most people will need a lot longer the 25 hours is taken from BCU information.

Having completed the passport award you will need to attend the training sessions we run over the winter and summer months as well as pool sessions to learn the skills required the dates for these sessions are shown in the Canoeing Calendar.
Application forms will be in future editions of Headlines.

New one star award.
Flat water award reflecting basic boat control in any type of boat, should experience paddling both open canoes and kayaks. Instead of a log book you take an assessment but same level as passport.
 

New Two star award.
For those familiar with the old awards the new 2 star award is the old Kayak and Open Canoe awards combined with some of the old 3 star added for good measure.
The award is a flat water award covering a range of kayak and canoe skills. This award reflects fundamental paddlesport skills and an understanding of paddle-boat-water interaction in both craft.
As for one star a formal assessment is undertaken when the candidate is ready.
To get a better idea of  how much is involved have a look at the star award syllabus on www.bcu.org.uk  look in area coaching.
 

New 3 star awards
The new 3 star are now boat/environment specific for example, White water kayak, Open Canoe, sea kayaking, surf, polo etc.

Whilst we can offer training for some of these we do not currently have coaches qualified to do the assessments. We have arranged weekends away at other centres for this in the past.
I hope this clarifies the changes for those interested in getting into canoeing or those currently involved.

If you have any questions please contact Mike Tullberg, County Canoe adviser: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it