As a volunteer led club we are lucky to have many committed and enthusiastic coaches and trip leaders, enabling kayakers of all ages and abilities, from novice through to expert.

The club is able to support people new to paddlesports, run a wide range of trips, and help develop the next generation of coaches and trip leaders. For all trips with Junior members a BCU qualified Coach or Trip Leader, with 1st Aid Certification, shall be present.

Qualified Coaches and Trip Leaders

Sandy Johnston – White Water: UKCC L3 (Performance Coach); Open Canoe Coach and Advanced Leader; Sea Kayak Coach and Sea Kayak Leader; Open Water Paddleboard Coach; Club Trip Leader for Surf; Pinkston ESO; (1st Aid Course completed 30/01/22)

Sandy is also a provider for a range of courses and awards…. Paddle Safer, SUP Safer, Introduction to White Water Safety, White Water Safety and Rescue, Paddlesport Safety and Rescue, Inland Open Water Safety and Rescue, Sea Kayak Safety and Rescue, Paddlesport Instructor, SUP Instructor, Paddlesport Leader, Paddlesport Touring Leader, SUP Inland Open Water Leader, Canoe Award, Sea Kayak Award, SUP Sheltered Water Award, Touring Award, Open Water Touring Award, Multi-Day Touring Award, White-Water Award, Progressive White-Water Award.

Rab BurnsUKCC Level 4 coach; BCU 5 star Sea Kayak Leader

Graham Swanson – 5 star Open Canoe Leader; UKCC L3 Advanced (Open Water) Canoe Coach; WhiteWater BCU Level 4 Coach; 5 Star White Water Leader; Club Trip leader for Surf; 4 Star Sea Leader (5 star trained); Pinkston ESO; (1st Aid completed 14/01/22)

Misha Somerville – Advanced Sea Leader; 4 star White Water Leader; Core Coach; Club Leader White Water Grade 4; (1st Aid completed 14/01/19)

Alan Rollo – UKCC Level 2 Coach; Sea Kayak Coach; Sea Kayak Leader (tidal); 5 Star Sea Trained; (1st Aid course completed 30/4/21)

Leigh Murray – UKCC Level 1; Core Coach; 4 star Open Canoe Leader (river & open water); Sea Kayak Leader (tidal); Club Trip Leader – River Grade 2/3 (White Water Leader trained); (1st Aid completed 14/01/22)

Joanne Durnan – Paddlesport Leader

Bev Ouzman : Paddlesport Instructor; Sea Kayak Leader (tidal); Core Coach; (1st Aid completed)

Pat Smith – Paddlesport Instructor; Club Trip Leader, Sea (Moderate Water); (1st Aid completed 11/6/21)

Iain McGhie – UKCC Level 1; UKCC L2 Trained; Club Trip Leader, Sea (Moderate Water)

Marcus Wheel – Paddlesport Instructor; Pinkston ESO; Core Coach; Club Trip Leader – River Grade 2/3 (WhiteWater Leader trained)

Bernie Tolland – UKCC Level 1; Club Trip Leader for WhiteWater (Grade 4); Pinkston ESO

George Arbuckle – Paddlesport Instructor; Paddlesport Leader (1st Aid Course 6/2/22); Pinkston ESO

Celia Gray – Paddlesport Instructor; Club Trip Leader, Sea (Moderate Water); 4 Star Sea Leader trained

Derek Blair – 4 star White Water Leader; Pinkston ESO.

Andrew MacColl – Paddlesport Instructor (1st Aid course 13/3/22)

Vonna Cowper-Smith – Paddlesport Instructor; Paddlesport Leader. (1st Aid course 22/4/22)

Janice Gow : Club Trip Leader Sea, moderate water

Ross McKillop : UKCC Level 1; L2 Trained; Club Trip Leader Sea, moderate water

COACHING DEFINITIONS

Paddlesport Instructor is the first coach qualification enabling those qualified to offer single sessions in a sheltered environment.  The qualification is not discipline specific.

UKCC Level 1 qualification was for those new to paddlesport coaching.  The qualification was not discipline specific.  The Level 1 Coach can plan, deliver and review short coaching sessions, normally within an approved venue or with the support of a more qualified coach. They have specific training to coach paddlers in their first year of activity and to help run taster sessions. 

UKCC Level 2 Coach is able to plan, deliver and review progressive sessions safely and effectively. Like the Level 1, this non-discipline-specific.  Level 2 coaches will work with paddlers predominantly in their first 3 years of paddling activity and can work without supervision.

BCU Core Coach builds upon L1 or Paddlesport Instructor experience.  It enables coaches to profile students through observation and identify their development needs.   Coaches are able to select the most appropriate delivery style and practice structures/venues.    They are trained to deliver feedback in a range of ways and use reflective practice to continue to deliver long term learning aims. 

To Coach canoe or kayak skills beyond sheltered water i.e. in Moderate Water (MW) or Advanced Water (AW) environments, coaches mush hold a discipline specific coaching qualification.  These include Sea or Whitewater Kayak Coach (MW) or Advanced Sea or Whitewater Kayak Coach (Advanced Water), previously the old BCU Level 3 Coach.

LEADER DEFINITIONS

4 Star or Sea Kayak Leader (moderate tidal water): able to supervise, or facilitate safe, and enjoyable trips/sessions based on their groups needs and aspirations. Specifically, lead a group on moderate tidal or non-tidal sea. This includes a stretch of coastline with some areas where it is not easy to land but there will always be straightforward landing points a maximum of 2 nautical miles apart; crossings not exceeding 2 nautical miles; up to 2 knots of tide (but not involving tide races or overfalls); wind strengths do not exceed Beaufort force 4; launching and landing through surf (up to 1 metre, trough to crest height).

5 Star or Advanced Sea Kayak Leader (advanced tidal water): capable of leading any journey on the sea where tidal races, overfalls or open crossings may be encountered or cannot be avoided; sections of coastline where landings may not be possible or difficult; difficult sea states and/or stronger winds (Beaufort Force 4 or above); launching and landing through surf (up to 1.5 metres trough to crest height).


5 Star or Advanced White Water Leader (moderate tidal water): capable of leading paddlers with a range of experience in advanced water conditions. Skills and judgement to select appropriate environments in rivers up to, and including Grade 4 (and optional Grade 5).

4 Star Open Canoe Leader (moderate water): able to lead a group of 4 solo canoeists or 3 tandem canoe crews (not including the leader) in moderate White water Grade 2(3) and moderate Inland water (no more than 500m off shore). To evaluate a group of paddlers and establish whether a particular trip is suitable to their level of performance or choose an alternative. Apply a range of techniques appropriate to moving water or exposed open water to deal with situations that may occur in wind strengths that don’t exceed Force 4.

Canoe Open Water Leader: leading others in no more than 4 craft on journeys in large areas of open water that exceed sheltered water definition and is no more than 500m off shore. In wind strengths that do not exceed Force 4.

Canoe White Water Leader: leading 4 craft on Grade 2 water with the ability to decide whether Grade 3 is appropriate for group level (or coordinate portage).


5 Star Open Canoe Leader (advanced water): personal skills and leadership capability to lead paddlers with a range of experience in advanced water conditions. Advanced White Water includes Grade 3 and advanced Inland Water included large areas of open water which have winds in excess of Force 4.

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFINITIONS

INLAND……

Very Sheltered Water: Quiet canals with easy bankside access and egress. Small lakes which do not have difficult landing areas for problems to occur, if there is a sudden change in conditions. As well as specified sites on gentle, green-flow, slow moving rivers. The definition implies weather conditions which are not in likely to cause problems. However, care must be exercised when water temperatures are low.

Sheltered Inland Water: Flat water rivers with faster flow but not involving the shooting of, or playing on weirs or running rapids. Discretion must apply when considering the use of lakes/lochs – to operate further than 200 metres from shore on a large lake can be a serious undertaking. To paddle in offshore winds on large lakes requires the same degree of caution as for sea. Water temperature (especially in Scottish lochs) must always be a consideration. Suitable lagoons or sections of sheltered bays of larger lakes can sometimes be designated “Sheltered” or even “Very Sheltered” water by careful and sensible selection. The definition implies normal conditions. Care must be exercised when water temperatures are low.

Moderate Water Inland : Moderate Inland Water Large areas of open water which exceed the sheltered water definition but are no more than 500m off shore and in wind strengths that do not exceed force 4.

Advanced Water- Inland : Advanced Inland Water Large areas of open water which exceed moderate water and have winds in excess of force 4.


TIDAL……

Sheltered Tidal Water and Sea: Small enclosed bays where there is minimal possibility of being blown offshore. Enclosed harbours where there is little chance of being blown offshore. Defined beaches – a short section of beach with easy landing throughout, no tide races or over-falls beyond the beach. In conditions where swimmers and beach craft could be happily operating winds not above force 3 (force 2 if offshore) – greatest caution must be exercised in offshore winds. The upper reaches of some suitable, slow moving estuaries during Neap tides. In all cases the wind and weather conditions must be favorable.

Moderate Water Tidal Water/Sea: the definition involves a stretch of coastline or estuary in close proximity to the shore, with easy landing, not involving fast tidal streams, tidal races, or overfalls. Winds should not be above force 4 (force 2 if offshore when greatest of caution must be exercised). The upper reaches of some estuaries and launching / landing through moderate surf.

Advanced Water Tidal Water/Sea : Any journey on the sea where tidal races, over-falls or open crossings may be encountered, which cannot be avoided. Sections of coastline where landings may not be possible or difficult. Difficult sea states and/or stronger winds (force 4 or above). Launching and landing through moderate surf.

WHITE WATER……

Moderate Water White Water: Grade 2 white water or equivalent weirs. This is extended to Grade 2(3) when using whitewater spec Kayaks.

Advanced Water -White Water: Grade 3 white water for canoe and Grade 3 to 4(5) for kayak.