BCU Courses with Greg Paquin

Join us on Peaks Island for these special offerings of British Canoe Union courses with guest coach Greg Paquin of Kayak Waveology.

Day 1: Skills Primer

A fun coaching day that takes advantage of the dynamic sea conditions and varied coastline surrounding Peaks Island. Through individualized coaching and group work you will sharpen personal paddling skills, practice safety and rescue techniques, and strengthen leadership and group skills, to include: maneuvering in conditions; flat water rolling; surf launches and landings; deep water rescues (including the Eskimo rescue); methods of towing; navigation; and trip planning. The Skills Primer will be an excellent review for the BCU 3 Star Sea Assessment the following day, presuming you have a working foundation in place. This course is open to all who feel they are solid paddlers.

Day 2: BCU 3 Star Sea Assessment

Successful performance at this level indicates personal competence paddling in wind conditions up to Beaufort Force 3 as part of a led group. Skills to be evaluated are as set forth in the BCU 3 Star Sea Kayak Syllabus and the BCU 3 Star Sea Assessment Notes, as set forth by Paddlesports North America (PNA). It is recommended that paddlers have completed the BCU 2 Star Sea Assessment, the ACA Skills Level 3-4/ Instructor Level 4 aspirant, or Paddle Canada Skills Level 2 aspirant. This Assessment can be taken for its training value with prior approval by the Coach.

Days 3 and 4: BCU 4 Star Sea Training

Two solid days of intensive training in paddling skills, leadership, safety and rescue for those who work in the sea kayaking industry, operate in groups, or take friends out on the sea. This training is a prerequisite for attaining the 4 Star Sea Kayak Leader Award. The goal is to develop the personal skill level and leadership ability required to lead a group of paddlers on short single or multi-day journeys in moderate tidal water environments (up to 2 kts) with winds not exceeding Beaufort Force 4. Skills to be covered include self-rescue, rolling in rough water, practical navigation on-water and in poor visibility, group awareness and positioning in challenging situations, first aid, trip planning, and interpreting environmental features and hazards. In the evening weNight Navigation will review the coastal navigation and tidal planning required at the 4 Star Sea level. This training can also be taken by and have great value for ACA level 4 and 5 Instructor aspirants, and Paddle Canada Level 3 aspirant.

Please review the relevant BCU materials: BCU 4 Star Sea Kayak Leader Syllabus and BCU 4 Star Sea Leader Training Notes.

You may register for each course individually or join us for the entire weekend. Cost is $150 per day. Go to Registration for more information, or call us at 207.939.6045.