BCU Star Awards
1. BCU Paddlesport Start - An introductory award that can be taken in any Paddlesport craft, this award can normally be achieved after a paddlers first session. If you wish to deliver this award, certificates can be bought from Canoe England. Please contact [email protected] if you wish to purchase these certificates.
2. BCU 1 Star - The BCU 1 Star is a basic boat handling skills award, taken in any craft and designed as a test of performance for adults. (The BCU consider the 1 Star Award as equivalent to Paddlepower Passport). If you wish to deliver this award you need to complete an assessor logbook, this will have been sent to you either with your Certificate or separately). What you need to do in the logbooks is explained here once completed and approved you will be registered as a BCU 1 Star Assessor.
In order to assess Paddlesport Start and 1 Star you need to keep your Coach Update status. (As long as you have maintained Canoe England membership, your coach update status is valid for 3 years following your Level 1 Course). Further details of the requirements of Coach Update are available here.
Website Link
Star Award Assessor Guidance Notes V4-1
BCU Paddlesport Start Syllabus
BCU Paddlesport Start Notes for Trainers and Assessors
BCU 1 Star Syllabus
BCU 1 Star Trainer Notes
BCU 1 Star Assessor Notes
BCU Paddlepower Awards
1. BCU Paddlepower Start - An entry level award suitable for taster sessions or as part of a series of sessions designed for young people. If you wish to deliver this award you just need to purchase the relevant certificates from the BCU E-shop.
2. BCU Paddlepower Passport - This is a child friendly award comprising of four progressive levels covering topics including safety awareness, paddling skills, gaining varied experiences, and supporting knowledge. (The BCU consider Paddlepower Passport award as equivalent to 1 Star). If you wish to deliver this award you need to complete a provider logbook, this will have been sent to you either with your Certificate or separately. What you need to do in the logbook is explained here, once completed and approved you will be registered as a BCU Paddlepower Passport Provider.
Website Link
BCU Paddlepower Flyer
BCU Paddlepower Coaches Manual
BCU Placid Water Racing Awards
A series of awards including time trials (2km – 10km), 500 Metre Sprint Awards, and Marathon and Half Marathon awards. The awards intend to recognize and encourage improvement in canoe and kayak racing performance, they can be attempted in any canoe or kayak, although the aim is to encourage the use of straight running boats, as a progression to racing boats. If you wish to deliver these awards you just need to request the pass slips, [email protected]
Website Link
BCU Placid Water Racing Awards Syllabi
BCU Cross Stream Challenge
The Cross Stream aims to develop and challenge boat handling skills, strokes and moves, whilst blending Slalom, Freestyle, Polo, with a touch of Wild Water and Flat Water Racing and maybe a bit of surf. Its flexibility in delivery focuses on the paddler, not just the boat, enabling paddlers to develop skills based around a predetermined course in managed and measured environment. The challenges will fully open the doors to our sport for all paddlers, providing an opportunity to experience the many different disciplines and helps coaches spot where an individual is most motivated. If you wish to use the BCU Cross Stream Challenge a number of resources are available to purchase from the BCU e-shop.
Website Link
BCU Cross Stream Challenge Flyer