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.

The new BCU UKCC scheme: an overview

The diagram below shows each of the new BCU UKCC levels, the pre-requisites required and the remit they give. This diagram does not show how coaches with old scheme qualifications fit in to the new scheme or how the new awards compare to the old ones, if you require that information, please check out the page describing pathways for old scheme BCU coaches.

UKCC Overview
The diagram above and the following information can be downloaded in the form of a PDF document here.

BCU Environmental Definitions

Very Sheltered Water
Quiet canals with easy bankside access and egress; small lakes, which are not large enough, and do not have difficult landing areas for problems to occur it there is a sudden change in conditions; specified sites on gentle, slow moving rivers. The definition implies weather conditions which are not in themselves likely to cause problems. Care must be exercised when water temperatures are low.

Sheltered Water
Flat water rivers, faster flowing, but not involving the shooting of, or playing on weirs or running rapids. Discretion and common sense must apply when considering the use of lakes/lochs. To operate further than 200 metres from shore on a large lake can be a serious undertaking. To paddle in offshore breezes on large lakes requires the same degree of caution as for the sea. Water temperature (especially in Scottish lochs) must always be a consideration. Suitable lagoons or sections of sheltered bays of larger lakes can sometimes be designated “Sheltered” or even “Very Sheltered" water by careful and sensible selection. The definition implies normal conditions. Care must be exercised when water temperatures are low.

Sheltered Tidal Water
Small enclosed bays, where there is minimal possibility of being blown offshore; enclosed harbours, where there is minimal possibility of being blown offshore; defined beaches (a short section of beach with easy landing throughout, no tide races or overfalls beyond the beach), in conditions in which swimmers and beach craft could be happily operating, winds not above force 3 (force 2 if offshore when greatest of caution must be exercised); the upper reaches of some suitable, slow moving estuaries during neap tides. In all cases the wind and weather conditions must be favourable.

Moderate Water – Inland Water
Large areas of open water which exceed the sheltered water definition, that are no more than 500m off shore and in wind strengths that do not exceed force 4.

Moderate Water – White Water
Grade 2 white water or equivalent weirs. (This is extended to Grade 2(3) when using whitewater spec Kayaks).

Moderate Water – Tidal / Sea
A stretch of coastline or estuary in close proximity to the shore, with available landings at every 1-2 miles / 1 hour and areas where it is not easy to land. Up to a maximum of 2 knots tide but not involving, tidal races, or overfalls, winds not above force 4 beaufort sea state 4 (if offshore the greatest of caution must be exercised), or the upper reaches of some estuaries; launching and landing through moderate surf.

Moderate Water – Surf
Beaches that are free of significant hazards (strong rips or undertow, tidal streams, rocks or groynes). An area of beach must be marked out to contain the group and prevent any loss of communication. The area selected must not interfere with other beach users – swimmers and surfers in particular; small to moderate waves – 3 feet maximum.
Measurement of surf; The “surfers” measurement is used throughout both this document and the BCU awards in surf. This is also used by surf forecasts obtained from telephone surf lines, the internet or wave buoys. It is in feet and refers to the ride-able mid section of the wave, not the peak to trough height.

Guidance for site specific training for BCU UKCC Level 1s

Please see the Level 1 Site Specific page.

Continued Professional Development modules (CPD modules)

Information on the foundation and intermediate CPD modules and the additional discipline support modules available, please see the linked page.

Accredited Prior Learning (APL)

For details on what APL is, how it can be used and to download the relevant form, please see our APL guidance page.