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.

Revalidation

As an active coach, you are required to have current and up to date knowledge on the latest best practices: in both coaching practices and safety elements. The way in which this is officially recognised is through a process called revalidation.

When should I revalidate?

Revalidation is required for all coaches, every 3 years (minimum). The date which your own revalidation is due can be found on your membership card, but of course the date on the membership card is not updated if you have revalidated since the membership card was issued. If you are unsure of your revalidation date, please contact our office.

How do I revalidate?

There are several ways to revalidate, which can be summarised as:
  1. Attending a Canoe Wales Update Event. These are held within the three regions: North, South-East and South-West and are organised by your Regional Coaching Organiser (RCO). A range of courses are provided to allow you to update while also attending a course that is of interest to you.
  2. Attending any of the courses listed below that automatically revalidate you, regardless of whether you are due to revalidate, giving you 3 years from the date of the course until your revalidation is due.
  3. Submitting a Self Revalidation Form and having it authorised (see below for more information).
Your new revalidation date (of 3 years from the date of revalidation) will be shown on your membership card when you renew membership.

Courses that automatically revalidate you

UKCC Level 1 Coach
UKCC Level 1 Transfer
UKCC Level 2 Coach Training or Assessment
UKCC Level 2 Transfer
Level 2 Moderate Water Training or Assessment
BCU L1/L2 Discipline Specific Module Courses
UKCC Tutor Training
UKCC Orientation Days
National Trainer Training
Old BCU Level 2 Assessments
Old BCU Level 3 Assessments
Old BCU Level 5 Training or Assessment
All BCU Raft Guide training or assessment courses
Bellboat Helm Coaching Award
Coaching Process Course
Coach Process Director Provider Status
Cadet Leader Award
All BCU 4 Star Assessments
All BCU 5 Star Training or Assessments
4 Star Assessor Status
5 Star Assessor Status
Foundation Module Provider Status
Discipline Module Provider Status
Aquatic First Aid Assessor & Examiner
Lifeguard Assessor

Self-Revalidation

You can also download the Self Revalidation Form to demonstrate that you have updated your knowledge by other recent courses or experiences. You need to demonstrate that you have updated knowledge in the following 3 key areas:
  • Coaching – If you have attended any workshop or series of workshops, a training course or similar event that’s focus was coaching or an aspect of coaching e.g. assessing, observation skills, use of video, nutrition, stretching and warming up etc. This may have been as part of a larger qualification such as an A-level, HND or Degree. These workshops do not have to be paddlesport related, so coaching courses for other sports can also be used to update your coaching knowledge.
  • Water safety – In this area you need to show that you have undergone further PRACTICAL training in water safety. Attendance of the BCU safety and rescue courses such as FSRT, WWSR or AWWSR are of course all relevant. Rescue 3 courses such as the WRT or SRT can be used or something less formal like the Palm River Safety Initiative events. Lifeguarding awards and bronze / silver / gold medallion awards can also be used. As long as the workshop shares current best practice with regards to an aspect of water safety, it does not even have to relate directly to your coaching discipline!
  • The background to coaching – This area is not as difficult as you might first think. Training on child protection, negligence and the law, disability and inclusive strategies; are all examples of knowledge which gives a background to your coaching. If you were involved in reviewing your club’s risk assessments, then that will do. Have you attended an HSE meeting at work that looked at safe lifting and carrying? Do you attend your Regional Coaching Panel meetings? These all provide a background to your coaching and can be used as evidence in your self-revalidation.
Once you have completed the form, you should return it to us at the usual address. It will be checked by the National Development Officer or the Coach Education Co-ordinator to make sure that you have provided suitable evidence of all 3 areas. If so, your record will be updated and you will be sent a letter confirming the revalidation. If you have not provided us with sufficient evidence, we will get in touch to let you know and request further evidence in whichever area was lacking.

What happens if I do not revalidate?

If you don’t update, you do remain insured and you don’t lose your coaching awards. However, you may find it hard to defend yourself against any charge of negligence if you can’t show that your coaching was and is current best practice. Also, you won’t be able to do any work for Canoe Wales/BCU (i.e. you cannot assess star tests or any other BCU awards). Employers usually require staff to be valid and up to date as part of their own insurance and best practice requirements.