Canoe Wales is the national governing body for paddle sport in Wales. We:

  • Manage the National White Water Centre which is located on the river Tryweryn in Bala, North Wales
  • Represent the interests of our club and individual members
  • Advocate on behalf of the interests of the sport in Wales
  • Provide coaching and development programmes from local to international level
  • Stage national and international competitions.

BCU Level 2 (old scheme)

Assessments for the ‘old’ BCU Level 2 will continue to run until October 2010 to allow anyone who attended Level 2 training in the old scheme to progress to assessment within their valid training period.

Purpose & Remit

This is a qualification for those wishing to introduce others to canoeing on simple waters only in either canoes or kayaks. It is an indication of a level of competence for introducing groups (normally up to 8) to basic flatwater skills, such as those covered in the BCU 2 star syllabus. Sheltered water is a canal, small lake, sheltered area of larger lake or quiet river, not involving the shooting of weirs or grade II rapids. The award is granted for either canoe or kayak, depending on the candidate’s previous experience and the craft used during the assessment.

A BCU Level 2 coach can assess the BCU 1 star and Paddlesport Start awards after registering with Canoe Wales to do so. A BCU Level 2 with either a new 2 star award or old 2 star awards in both canoe and kayak can also assess the BCU 2 star award.

What do I need to do before assessment?

You must:
  • Have completed the 2-day BCU Level 2 Training course within the last 3 years
  • Have 20 hours of logged coaching experience since the training course
  • Hold a current first aid certificate (min 4 hour, including CPR)
  • Aged 18 years or over
  • Be a current comprehensive BCU / CW member
Originals of all certificates, your stamped C1 registration form and proof of membership must be taken to the assessment.

Syllabus

Click here

Find Courses

Due to declining demand, very few BCU Level 2 assessments are running at this time. If you need an assessment, please contact your Regional Coaching Officer or the Coach Education Co-ordinator.

What can I do next?

As a qualified BCU Level 2 coach you can coach independently on sheltered, flatwater environments. ‘Old-style’ BCU coaching qualifications such as this will continue to be recognised indefinitely, so there is no requirement for you to transfer to the ‘new’ UKCC scheme by a particular date and you can continue to work within this remit as long as you remain current. For details on why you may chose to transfer, please see this page.

Transfer to BCU UKCC Level 2

The BCU UKCC Level 2 award shows a well rounded coach with a level of “how to coach” knowledge far above that of the ‘old’ BCU Level 2. Coaches are able to plan and run up to 6 consecutive sessions in any craft with the same remit as an ‘old’ BCU Level 2.
In order to transfer you must:
  • Hold a minimum of 2 star in both canoe and kayak
  • Hold a 3 star in one or more discipline
  • Hold 1 day / 8 hour first aid
  • Attend a one-day Level 2 Transfer course
  • Attend a 3 hour Continued Professional Development module or hold 3 star in two disciplines
  • Attend (and pass) a one-day Level 2 Assessment
If you hold the new 4 star leader award in the same discipline, you can then attend a one-day training and one-day assessment for a Moderate Water Endorsement, which allows you to work in moderate water conditions specific to your discipline, such as grade II white water.