

At Porthpean we are passionate about paddlesport. situated near St Austell in Cornwall and right on the coast this is an excellent venue for kayaking and canoeing for people of all ages and abilities. as part of the instructor course you will achieve your level one paddlesport coach award as detailed below, We can also arrange numerous other BCU / UKCC courses from beginner to advanced.
BCU Star Awards are about gaining the personal skills to be able to paddle canoes and kayaks efficiently and safely in sheltered waters. These are the pre requisites for the Level One Coach (water based) award. Our training course will provide you with the training and skills to enable you to attain all the relevant pre-requisites for the BCU/UKCC Level 1 Coach
The award scheme changes at 3 Star, where paddlers must specialise in a specific craft. You can, for example, gain a 3 star in Sea Kayak or Open Canoe. Depending on your previous experience within paddlesport we may be able to progress to 3 star whilst on the programme.
The BCU/UKCC Level One Coach award enables you to teach and coach alongside other experienced coaches where you can further your skills as a paddlesport coach.
The pre-requisites for the course will all be covered in the training course leading up to a four day training / assessment for the Award.
This discipline specific test is designed to indicate that the candidate has the skill level to safely paddle and lead other competent paddlers on sections of moderate water. A four Star paddler will have the all round paddling ability, safety, rescue and basic leadership required to undertake trips on sheltered - moderate water with a group of paddlers who have the basic paddling skills required, but not necessarily the experience, to operate in a self-sufficient manner. These courses are not included in the instructor training course but can be arranged separatley for those who wish to progress from the three star.
Fundamentally this course is designed for all paddlers irrespective of craft. The objective is to teach simple
and safe skills that can be applied appropriately.
Course Aims:
The course aims to provide the student with the key safety and rescue skills required to operate
safely in a sheltered water environment and to be able to deal with common emergencies.These skills
will then form the basis of all safety and rescue training throughout the BCU Scheme.
The course has two purposes:
1. To provide the paddler with the necessary skills which will enable them to ensure the safety of themselves and others.
2. To provide the paddler with the appropriate rescue skills which can be used to help themselves and/or others in difficulty.
Cornish surf is among the best in europe and as we are based in st austell we have easy access to both south and north coasts. Although not part of the instructor training course intro to surf is ideal for those who wish to be safe in the surf and learn the basic skills to enjoy the waves. please contact the centre on 01726 72901 for booking information
With the increasing popularity of sit on top kayaking this course is for those who wish to be safe on the sea. the course will include practical skills, rescue techniques and theory sessions on equipment choice, journey planning, weather and tides. please contact the centre on 01726 72901 for further details
We can also arrange specialist courses and trips for anyone. whatever you have in mind get in touch on 01726 72901 or email us and we will be only to happy to help.