NGB Awards
Many people undertake these awards for skill development and vocational training and opportunity. However, to the uninitiated they can appear complex and daunting.
In order to help put them in context the main NGBs are identified below with a list and brief explanation of their award structures and prerequisites. Please do not use this as a substitute for checking with the relevant NGB for their full and most up-to-date information before enrolling onto a course - Remember that this is the candidate's responsibility alone.
If you’re still confused then don’t hesitate to call Steve or check the website of the NGB you are interested in.
Canoeing
The NGB for canoesport in Britain is the British Canoe Union (BCU) which then delegates responsibility for coaching and leadership course administration to its four federated home nation canoeing associations. For ease, only the BCU will be referred to here. The BCU have progressive schemes for the development of personal ability, coaching and for the training and assessing of coaches.
Personal Ability Awards
1 Star (Generic)
An introductory award for beginners which covers basic manoeuvres and equipment.
2 Star (Generic)
This award seeks to develop the basic manoeuvres and build confidence. It is a prerequisite for the Level 1 Coach Course
3 Star (Inland Kayak, Open Canoe, Sea Kayak, Surf Kayak)
This is an applied test of your ability to manoeuvre your chosen craft effectively in gentle moving water or sea conditions as appropriate. It is a prerequisite for Level 2 Coach Training
4 Star (Inland Kayak, Open Canoe, Sea Kayak, Surf Kayak)
This is a leadership qualification which permits holders to lead competent others on grade 2 moving water or in moderate sea and surf conditions as appropriate. 4 Star Inland Kayak candidates will furthermore have to demonstrate the personal competence required to be led down grade 3 water. The White Water Safety and Rescue Course is a prerequisite for the inland awards. A one day Coastal Navigation Course and a Surf Rescue Course are required for sea and surf respectively. An 8 hour 1st Aid award, including CPR, is required for this award. It is a prerequisite for Level 3 Coach Training and 5 Star Training. All candidates for assessment must now centrally register with the BCU on form LR.
5 Star (Inland Kayak, Open Canoe, Sea Kayak, Surf Kayak)
This is an applied award which trains and tests your ability to paddle effectively in advanced water conditions (grade 4 water inland kayak, grade 3 water open canoe and large surf and sea conditions for the surf and sea awards). 5 Star is also a leadership award and therefore covers group management and safety and rescue in the above environments. Many people do the training course in isolation to improve their personal paddling in more challenging water. Please note the syllabus for Inland Kayak now requires assessment candidates to have experience of paddling Grade 5 water. An appropriate 4 Star award and Advanced White Water Safety and Rescue certificate (Inland Awards) or Open Water Navigation certificate (Sea) are prerequisites.
It is a prerequisite for Level 4 Coach. All candidates for assessment must now centrally register with the BCU on form LR.
Please note, Steve is well aware of the difficulties posed by inadequate conditions for 5 star courses.
The BCU has decided that 5 star training and assessment courses may only be run when the river levels or sea and surf state allow them to be done as the syllabus intends. Steve fully endorses this stance and believes the commercial imperative must take second place in these cases. He will always cancel or postpone courses if the appropriate, advanced conditions don’t exist. Steve apologises for the difficulty this causes though would point out that anyone achieving this award with Steve Banks Outdoors can honestly claim to be a 5 star paddler.
N.B.
If you hold a BCU Coaching qualification at a lower level than your star award you will be able to assist a suitably qualified BCU coach at the level of your Star Award. E.g. If you hold the BCU Level 1 Coach award and the 5 Star Sea Kayak award you will be able to assist BCU Level 4 and 5 coaches in an advanced sea coaching environment.
Safety and Rescue Awards
Foundation Safety & Rescue Test (Inland Kayak, Open Canoe)
This new BCU course replaces the Canoe Safety Test. It is designed to provide safety awareness and rescue training for flat water situations. This test is a prerequisite for BCU Level 1 and 2 coaching awards.
Whitewater Safety and Rescue Course NB
This course covers the essential safety and rescue skills for whitewater paddlers. It is useful for all river paddlers and is a prerequisite for 4 Star Inland Awards.
Advanced White Water Safety and Rescue course
The advanced course covers technical rescues in more demanding environments, it is a prerequisite fo 5 Star Inland awards.
Coach Education
Coaching Processes Course
This is an intensive two day course aimed at assisting you to deliver coaching more effectively in canoe-sport and any other discipline. Motor learning and Skill Acquisition are Steve's academic specialism; his courses examine the most up-to-date research on skill learning theory and allied concepts and apply them to practical coaching in canoeing and other contexts.
Coaching Awards
Level 1 Coach (Generic)
This award allows you to run canoe and kayak activity on very sheltered inland water whilst BCU qualified supervisory assistance is available. Prerequisites for the 5 day combined training and assessment course: 8 hour 1st Aid, appropriate Safety Test (will be covered as part of the course), a generic 2 Star award or old 2 Star award in both Kayak and Canoe or be paddling comfortably at this standard, BCU membership and a central registration form (C1) stamped by the BCU. N.B. if you are not presently a member of the BCU it is significantly cheaper to register for the new Level 1 course and pay the non-member rate alone. After 1 year you will be required to pay normal membership fees to maintain your qualification.
Level 2 Coach (Generic)
Permits the holder to lead and coach on sheltered inland water. Prerequisites for training: 8 hour first aid, safety test, 3 Star Inland Kayak and Open Canoe, BCU membership and a central registration form (C1) stamped by the BCU.
Level 3 Coach (Inland Kayak, Open Canoe, Sea Kayak, Surf Kayak)
Allows the holder to lead and coach in moderate conditions – grade 2 rivers and exposed open water inland, uncomplicated coastal sea conditions and straightforward surf. Prerequisites for training: 8 hour first aid, Level 2 coach award, 4 star, BCU membership and a central registration form (C1) stamped by the BCU.
Moderate Water Endorsement (Inland Kayak, Open Canoe, Sea Kayak, Surf Kayak)
This new award comprises 1 day of training and 1 of assessment in boat specific coaching in a moderate water environment. This will allow successful candidates to coach and lead with the same remit as a Level 3 Coach. Prerequisites: 8 hour first aid, UKCC Level 2 Coach, New 4 Star Leader Award, BCU membership and a central registration form stamped by the BCU.
Level 4 Coach (Inland Kayak, Open Canoe, Sea Kayak, Surf Kayak)
This award allows you to lead and coach in advanced water (grade 4 water Inland kayak, grade 3 water Open Canoe and large surf and sea conditions for the surf and sea awards). The updated version of this award is presently in production and will have both a training and assessment element. Prerequisites for training: 16 hour first aid, Level 3 coach award, 5 star, BCU membership and a central registration form (C1) stamped by the BCU.
Advanced Water Endorsement (Inland Kayak, Open Canoe, Sea Kayak, Surf Kayak)
This new award comprises a training, consolidation and assessment phase in a boat specific context. Holders will be permitted to coach in any advanced environment appropriate to their discipline. This award is likely to replace the Level 5 Coach scheme. Prerequisites for training (tbc): 16 hour first aid, Level 3, 4 or 5 coach award or MWE, 5 star plus an alternative 4 star, BCU membership and a central registration form (C1) stamped by the BCU.
Level 5 Coach (Inland Kayak, Open Canoe, Sea Kayak, Surf Kayak and other specialised craft).
This award is an indication of a high level of expertise and experience as both a paddler and a coach. Someone likely to be involved in coach education. Prerequisites for training: 16 hour first aid, Level 4 coach award, 5 star plus an alternative 4 star, BCU membership and a central registration form (C1) stamped by the BCU.
Caving
The British Caving association is the NGB responsible for leadership and coaching qualifications in the UK. They offer awards at three levels.
Local Cave and Mine Leader Award Level 1
This award permits the holder to lead caving activity in a list of predominantly simple, horizontal caves or mines that they have chosen and have been assessed as competent to work in. It covers personal and group caving, simple ropework and the cave environment.
Prerequisites for training: Registration with the BCA, 12 logged days of personal caving experience.
Prerequisites for assessment: LCMLA Level 1 training, a minimum of 25 appropriate caving trips including 5 'quality' trips above the standard of the award, a valid First Aid certificate.
Local Cave and Mine Leader Award Level 2
This allows the holder to lead caving activity in a list of simple, vertical caves or mines that they have chosen and have been assessed as competent to work in. These caves may involve using ladders and lifelines on straightforward pitches not exceeding 18m. It covers personal and group caving, technical equipment, appropriate rigging and safety and rescue.
Prerequisites for training: Registration with the BCA, LCMLA Level 1.
Prerequisites for assessment: LCMLA Level 2 training, a minimum of 25 appropriate caving trips including 5 'quality' trips above the standard of the award, a valid First Aid certificate.
Cave Instructor Certificate
This award allows the holder to lead and coach caving activity without restriction. It is the appropriate qualification for those wishing to work in remote, complex systems using Single Rope Technique. The syllabus covers the advanced knowledge and skills appropriate to operating safely in this adventurous environment.
Prerequisites for training: Registration with the BCA, LCMLA Level 2, 2 years logged experience of caving at an appropriate level.
Mountaineering
There are several mountaineering awards available in Britain which are either run directly by the United Kingdom Mountain Training Board (UKMTB) or co-ordinated by them and run by the relevant home nation board.
In England that is Mountain Leader Training England (MLTE).
Climbing Wall Award (MLTE)
This award permits the holder to coach and lead climbing on artificial climbing walls only.
Single Pitch Award (MLTE)
This award allows the holder to coach rock climbing on easily accessible, simple, single pitch crags and on artificial walls. It covers personal climbing, climbing coaching, group management and organisation for climbing. Rescue techniques and the climbing environment are also included.
Prerequisites for training: Registration with MLTE, BMC membership, 15 logged, outdoor, lead climbs at any grade placing your own protection.
Walking Group Leader Award (MLTE)
Permits the holder to lead walking parties in wild terrain in non-winter conditions where there is no chance that climbing, scrambling or ropework will be involved. It covers navigation, group management, emergency procedures and other critical information.
Mountain Leader Award (Summer) (MLTE)
Permits the holder to lead mountain walking parties (excluding climbing and scrambling) throughout the British Isles in non-winter conditions. It covers navigation, group management, emergency ropework, expedition skills and the mountain environment.
Prerequisites for training: Registration with MLTE, BMC membership, 20 logged, quality, mountain days not under supervision.
Mountaineering Instructor Award (Summer) (MLTUK)
This award allows the holder to lead all mountaineering activities in non-winter conditions i.e. walking, scrambling and remote multi-pitch rock climbing.
Prerequisites for training: Registration with the MLTUK, BMC membership, ML (summer), 30 logged multi-pitch climbs at Very Severe or harder.
Mountain Leader Award (Winter) (MLTS)
Allows the holder to lead mountain walking parties (excluding climbing and scrambling) throughout the British Isles in winter conditions. It covers winter skills and the coaching of them, navigation, group management, ropework, expedition skills and the mountain environment. Steve runs Scottish Winter Skills weeks which very closely mirror the content of the ML (winter).
Prerequisites for training: Registration with MLTS, BMC membership, ML (summer), 20 logged, quality, winter mountain days not under supervision.
Mountaineering Instructor Certificate (MLTUK)
This award allows the holder to lead all mountaineering activities in all conditions i.e. walking, scrambling and remote multi-pitch rock and winter climbing.
Prerequisites for training: Registration with the MLTUK, BMC membership, MIA(summer), ML (winter). 20 multi-pitch winter climbs at grade II and III.