UKCC Level One with Gene17

A cold Monday morning in early December saw six potential Level One coaches arrive at the River Dart Country Park to embark on a week of tuition with Gene17. Our tutors for the week were Richard and Deb, and over hot drinks in the café we introduced ourselves and went over the syllabus.

Before starting on the Level One stuff we had to cover the basics – Foundation Safety and Rescue Training (FSRT) and the two star test. I was already trained in advanced white water safety and rescue, and five star river leading, but as a white water kayaker I had hardly ever stepped foot in an open canoe. The British Canoe Union requires coaches to be familiar with different styles of boat, so it was ‘back to basics’ time for me – and an introduction to open boats.

On the lake at the River Dart Country Park we quickly learnt how to manoeuvre our craft, before being asked to fall out of them, empty them and then climb back into them. Similar rescues were performed with kayaks. Cold work – but we learnt a lot. At the end of the week we had another chance to swim in the lake, this time under the careful eye of our tutors who wanted to be sure we’d learnt all the FSRT and two star stuff correctly. This was all fun stuff, despite the chilly water.

During the Level One course the importance of identifying safety hazards and then briefing students about potential risks was drummed into us. We were also asked to devise a number of training sessions and game plans for students (which were all put into practice either on or next to the water). Again, at the end of the week, all of this was tested. Richard and Deb constantly gave us good feedback and encouragement, as well as homework, with sessions divided between the classroom and the lake or lakeside.

By the end of the week the world had gained six new Level One coaches. Three of the new coaches will be using their skills as teachers at outdoor activity centres, where they are currently employed. Two took their qualifications back to Greece, where they work as raft and kayak guides, and I will be putting my skills into action at Regents Canoe Club in London, where we teach a wide range of skills to adult paddlers.

Many thanks to Richard and Deb for being such capable instructors.

Ian Tokelove