Fife Canoeing Activities Group

Coaching

Within FCAG there are two types of 'coaches'.
Coaches who have undergone training and assessment by recognised course providers.
Experienced paddlers who help with individual and group coaching. These individuals coach under a qualified coach's supervision during pool sessions.
FCAG activities are run by appropriately qualified coaches. Coaches will ensure that:
Coach: student recommended ratios are maintained.
Students are given individualised or group coaching as appropriate.
Students progress through an individualised programme, progressing from pool - loch - rivers etc at their own pace, and only when capable.

FCAG have a 'challenge by choice' ethos, and no-one need ever feel that they have to do something that they are not happy or comfortable with.
These procedures will help to ensure the safety of participants undertaking FCAG activities.

Coaches within the club

FCAG are very fortunate to have 15 qualified and enthusiastic coaches of varying levels from BCU level 2 to 4. All are volunteers and all qualified coaches have first-aid certificates.

What Do the Coach Awards Mean

Coaches are only recognised if they have undertaken a course by a recognised course provider, and have a certificate to prove competence.

Level 2 training
Involves a 2 day training course. Once completed it allows an individual to coach up to 8 people within pools and very sheltered water. Can assess 1 star.
Level 2 assessment
One day assessment course and appropriate experience. Once passed the person can coach up to 8 people within a pool or sheltered water (e.g. Kinghorn Loch or Lochore). Can assess 2 star.
Level 3 training
Two-day training course. Once completed it allows an individual to coach people on grade 2 water under supervision of a level 3 coach. Can assess 2 star.
Level 3 assessment
Two day assessment and appropriate experience. Once passed an individual can coach people on grade 2 water. Can assess 3 star.
5 star training
Involves a two-day training course, and is a training course for leading people on advanced water.
Level 4 coach status
This is gained once a 5 star two-day assessment course has been passed, and a coaching processes course has been undertaken. Once gained an individual can lead on advanced water. Can assess 3 star.
River Grading

There are 6 different grades of water within the International River grading system:

Grade 1
Regular stream, regular waves, small rapids and simple obstructions.
Grade 2
Passage free; irregular stream; irregular waves; medium rapids; small stoppers, eddies, whirlpools and pressure areas.
Grade 3
Route recognisable; high irregular waves; larger rapids, stoppers, eddies, whirlpools and pressure areas.
Grade 4
Route not always recognisable; inspection mostly necessary; heavy continuous rapids; heavy stoppers, whirlpools and pressure areas.
Grade 5
Inspection essential; extreme rapids, stoppers, whirlpools and pressure areas.
Grade 6
Generally speaking impossible, possibly navigable at particular water levels, high risk.