BCU 1-2*
(introduction to Canoe and Kayak)
The New Star Award Scheme provides the support and encouragement paddlers need to get out and go paddling. The initial awards are generic, encouraging paddlers to experience the various disciplines of paddlesport available, with paddlers 'specialising' at the Three Star Award. The emphasis of these initial awards is to develop personal skills and gain independence; the Four Star and Five Star awards are leadership awards and enable paddlers to lead groups in appropriate conditions. The Star Award Scheme best suits paddlers aged 16 and over.
One Star - A flat water award that demonstrates an individual has basic boat control and foundation skills. The one star can be taken in any kind of paddlesport craft (e.g. sit-on-top, slalom C2, polo boat, sea kayak, racing canoe etc).
Two Star - An improvement award that helps paddlers develop fundamental paddlesport skills on flat water. The emphasis is on gaining a breadth of experience, creating the desired movement of the boat and developing an understanding into how the paddle, boat and water interact. This award is significantly different to the old 2 star, with a change to develop generic movement skills that can transfer to any discipline and with an assessed journey.
BCU 3*
(introduction to white water canoe-kayak)
The New Star Award Scheme provides the support and encouragement paddlers need to get out and go paddling. The initial awards are generic, encouraging paddlers to experience the various disciplines of paddlesport available, with paddlers 'specialising' at the Three Star Award. The emphasis of these initial awards is to develop personal skills and gain independence; the Four Star and Five Star awards are leadership awards and enable paddlers to lead groups in appropriate conditions. The Star Award Scheme best suits paddlers aged 16 and over. Our own specialty of white water River running is well represented within this new system, with the advent of the new 3-4 and 5 star awards. The training is a two-day course and the assessment is one day.
Aim
Successful performance at this level indicates that the paddler can consider themselves an intermediate kayaker, as they can now paddle on moving waters. They can do this in a competent manner as part of a led group and have the knowledge and ability to help the smooth running of a trip while being led down a section of a grade 2 river.
Pre requisites
Ideally be able to swim
Evidence of having paddled on grade 2 water
Venue
Open water (not a swimming pool)
Will also need to show competence on simple piece of moving water up to and including grade 2
This course is also offered in the French Alps or Provence it can be taken as part of a full week’s course or on its own as a two day training and one-day assessment.
For further information and itineraries please refer to the info sheet on the right or the full BCU syllabi on the downloads page