A Level 3 coach is able to plan, implement and analyse long term development programmes. This is an appropriate

level of coach for a person to be in charge of paddlesport activities in a club or centre. It is at this level that coaches begin

to become increasingly specialised and as such 10 different awards are available.

• Racing • Polo

• Flat Water • Freestyle

• Wild Water Racing • Slalom

• Surfing • White Water Kayaking

• Open Canoeing • Sea Kayak

A full break down of the coaching remit of each discipline can be seen in appendix v. (available in due course)

Level 3 Coaches who wish to further develop their coaching skills so that they can deliver more specialised sessions.

The training will aim to ensure you develop skills that will benefit paddlers in the crafts and environments indicated above.

As part of you Level 3 development you will need to complete all of the following components:

· Generic Coach Module (16 credits) – A 16 hour course developing the concepts of how to coach. This will be a

generic course applicable to coaches who wish to work with competitive and recreational paddlers.

· Applied Coach Module (16 credits) – A 16 hour course that helps the coach to apply the concepts covered in the generic coaching module to safe and effective practice within the discipline strand chosen. Some applied coaching modules are only open to paddling coaches and for these there is a personal skill prerequisite (see appendix v).

· First Aid Certificate – An 8 hour first aid certificate taken from the BCU approved list (see appendix vi - available in due course)

· A Period of Mentored Practice – during this period you will spend some time coaching under the supervision of a more experienced coach and some time watching a more experienced coach working.

· Safety and Rescue Training –

a. Additional White Water Safety and Rescue training is required for WWR, Slalom, WW kayak, Freestyle and Open Canoe

b. Additional Sea Safety and Rescue training is required for the Sea and Surf awards

· Supporting units to the value of 8 credits – The coach can select 1 or more supporting units from any of those available.

Please note that the Generic Coaching module must be completed before the Applied Coaching Module. In addition the first aid requirement and any additional safety components must be completed prior to any mentored practice. Apart from these exceptions the modules can be completed in any order.

Once all the elements have been completed the candidate can proceed to their Level 3 assessment. Upon successful completion of an assessment they will be awarded Level 3 Coach status.

In order to continue to develop as a Level 3 coach you would need to complete additional training within a period of three years. This additional training must carry a value of 12 credits. These credits can be gained from attending additional coach training courses (any new course at any level); discipline specific units (any new course at any level); or from a number of supporting units (see appendix 1); in addition some credits can be gained from mentoring less experienced coaches.

As a qualified Level 3 coach if you wish to extend your coaching remit to another discipline you only need to complete the additional applied coaching unit; additional safety and rescue training (if applicable); and complete an additional period of mentored practice prior to attending an assessment in the alternative discipline.

If, however, you simply wish to lead small groups of up to 4 paddlers of a similar or higher standard you could consider the alternative 4* route. Continuing to the 5* award will allow you to lead groups in the relevant environment.

If you have previous coaching experience or qualifications in other areas covered by the training it is possible to use this previous learning or experience to gain credits for elements of the Level 3 training requirements. Please see appendix iv (available in due course) for further details of the APL and APEL structure.