The Canoe England scheme for Young People
Paddlepower is an exciting scheme that has been designed to meet the needs of young people. Its colourful and youth centred approach aims to:
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Encourage more young people to come into and stay in the sport
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Provide progression and reward achievement in a wide range of topics
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Show them all aspects of the sport – both competitive and adventurous
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Provide signposts into Clubs where their skills and development can be nurtured
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Provide a flexible structure for delivery according to venue/situation
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The scheme has recently been revised and now comprises 5 Awards to support a young paddler’s introduction and progress in Paddlesport.
The Paddlepower Awards
Paddlepower Start
An entry level award suitable for taster sessions or as part of a series of sessions.
Paddlepower Passport
Four progressive levels based on 24 topics which can be grouped into Safety Awareness, Paddling Skills, Varied Experiences and Supporting Knowledge. The award is equivalent to 1 Star.
Paddlepower Discover
This follows on from Passport with a further 4 levels to take the young paddler to equivalent of 2 star standard.
Paddlepower Explore
Three different levels take the paddler on an extensive journey exploring the great variety of paddlesport, with topics focused on participation in events and journeys in the competitive and non-competitive disciplines.
Paddlepower Excel
Three levels to test the paddler on all elements of paddlesport including being responsible for oneself and others, participation in journeys, coaching sessions, training, events/competitions in a variety of disciplines, background knowledge of the sport; access, rules, environmental, nutrition and goal setting.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
At Paddlepower Start there is a certificate which is awarded by the coach. This also has space for an organisation to add their contact details to signpost the paddler to future courses.
For each award after Start there is a colourful 6 page Progress Card for the young paddler to record their progress and to encourage them to move to the next stage. On completion of the award the young person sends the Progress Card to their home nation to receive a certificate.
Who can deliver the Awards?
A Level 1 coach can deliver Paddlepower Start, after that a Level 2 coach is required. For Explore and Excel, a Level 2 coach can deliver with support from a discipline specific coach/s.
How is Paddlepower Different from the Star Awards?
Paddlepower has been designed around the needs of young people – fun, colourful and with easily identifiable progression mapped to the Long Term Paddler Development framework. The BCU recommend Paddlepower as most suitable for young people aged 14 or under and the Star Awards for most paddlers aged over 16.
How do I get started?
To download the Paddlepower Coaches Handbook click here. This contains all of the information needed to run all of the Paddlepower Awards.
How do I get the Paddlepower resources?
All Paddlepower resources are available to purchase from the BCU Shop.
(All Canoe England Affiliated Clubs, Approved Centres and Affiliated Scouts, Guides and Sea Cadets can receive a discount. To receive your discount you need to Login on the left hand side of the Eshop home page prior to making your purchase).
For further information on Paddlepower contact [email protected] or tel: 0845 370 9500