Paddlesport Performance Awards
Star Awards 1 - 3 star
This award is designed to provide a framework for a paddler's first session. It is very much an encouragement award and can be used by coaches who offer taster sessions, or as a first session of a series. It is an adult version of Paddlepower Start
BCU 1 Star (generic)
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.)
BCU 2 Star (canoe or kayak)
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. Assessors will need to be able to assess the award in a variety of craft.
Successful performance at this level indicates that a candidate can consider themselves an intermediate paddler rather than a beginner.
Unlike the existing award this will be discipline specific with awards in Sea, Surf, Canoe, WW Kayak, FW Kayak and some of the competitive disciplines. The three star paddler will be a competent performer in sheltered to moderate water environments and have the ability to paddle unsupervised, with similar standard paddlers on sheltered water. The new award will look similar in structure to the existing 4 star, but with the skills applicable in an easier environment.
BCU 3 Star Flatwater
BCU 3 Star White Water
BCU 3 Star Open Canoe
BCU 3 Star Sea Kayak
BCU 3 Star Surf
N.B. All coaches need to update their qualifications to be able to assess the new awards and also need to register as an assessor with the BCU. Forms are available here. Guidance for Trainers and Assessors is available here.